Billy Joel is canceling all 17 concerts across North America and England due to a recent diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), he announced in a statement on Friday, May 23. The Piano Man was set to perform with Stevie Nicks at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 8.
Ticket refunds will be automatically processed back to the original form of payment used; fans don’t have to do anything.
NPH is when spinal fluid builds up in the brain, putting pressure on nerves, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Hearing, vision and balance can be affected, but walking abnormalities, like shuffling, are usually among the first symptoms noticeable.
Other early symptoms include: Frequent urination and/or incontinence; slowness of thought, memory problems, and decreased attention and planning ability. If caught early, NPH is one of the few reversible causes of dementia. But symptoms develop slowly and mimic many age-related conditions. NPH is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Joel fell during a concert at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut in February but recovered and the show continued as planned.
A month later in March, he paused his tour to undergo physical therapy, with plans to see fans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on July 5.
Read more: Billy Joel Shares Stage with Stevie Nicks at MetLife Stadium Meadowlands
“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” according to a statement.
“Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.”
About Billy Joel
Billy Joel is the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. A six-time Grammy Award winner, a 23-time Grammy nominee, he was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
He sold upwards of 150 million records with 33 songs in the Top 4, all written by him. He closed out a 10-year residency at Madison Square Garden last year, marking his 150th performance there and setting a new record.