Singer says shunt surgery for rare brain condition improved his memory, balance and overall function.
Billy Joel, 77, disclosed in a clip broadcast September 9, 2026, that he underwent brain surgery to implant a shunt after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare condition that had affected his balance, hearing and vision, according to Entertainment Weekly. Joel said doctors drilled a hole in his skull and inserted a shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid, and that the operation ultimately helped rather than harmed him.
From Diagnosis to Disclosure
Joel's medical journey became public in stages. ABC News reported on March 11, 2025, that his tour would be postponed four months so he could recover from surgery. On May 23, 2025, Joel's team announced via Instagram that he had been diagnosed with NPH, a condition exacerbated by recent performances and marked by problems with hearing, vision and balance, according to ABC News and NPR. He then canceled all scheduled concerts on doctors' orders and began physical therapy. NPR explained that NPH, though it can mimic dementia, is often treatable with shunt surgery, in which fluid is rerouted from the brain's ventricles to another part of the body, typically the abdomen.
Joel's Own Words on Recovery
In the newly surfaced remarks, Joel described being told doctors would "drill a hole through your skull" and "stick a shunt inside your brain." He said the outcome exceeded expectations: "It actually improved things. My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better." He added a direct message to fans: "I know people have heard, 'Oh, he's got a brain disorder,' and I'm okay. I just want people to know, don't worry about me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. I'm still here."
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Earlier statements traced a consistent pattern of reassurance. In June 2025, Joel told fans via ABC News, "Getting old sucks, but it's still preferable to getting cremated." Radio host Howard Stern relayed that Joel insisted, "I'm not dying." By July 21, 2025, Joel told Bill Maher on the "Club Random" podcast, "I feel fine," joking that his balance "sucks." The New York Post reported Joel returned to live performance around January 2026, roughly eight months after his diagnosis, calling the experience "scary" but adding, "I'm okay."
