Billy Joel's Tragic Disorder Explains Why He Has To Cancel His Concert Tour

When Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Billy Joel tripped and fell during a concert in late February 2025, fans alerted the world through uploaded videos on sites like TikTok and YouTube. However, the world wasn't privy to exactly what may have caused what some interpreted as a collapse until Joel announced on his official Instagram page in March 2025 that he was rescheduling several of his upcoming national and international concert tours. 

Though the March announcement didn't give extensive details about what was happening medically, it did mention a surgical procedure. The post also included a heartfelt message to the singer-songwriter's supporters: "While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans."

It wasn't until another Instagram update on May 23, 2025, that Joel delivered more specific news regarding his diagnosis. In a statement, Joel explained that he was suffering from a medical condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus that required immediate treatment. As such, Joel needed to cancel all of his scheduled performances.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a disorder that occurs when there's a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. As the fluid puts increasing pressure on multiple areas of the brain, normal mind and body functions involving cognition, movement, and urinary control can become less reliable. (Here's what you need to know about an overactive bladder.)

To outsiders, some of the side effects of normal pressure hydrocephalus, such as memory lapses, may seem to mimic the expected progression of untreatable dementia. Indeed, the Hydrocephalus Association claims normal pressure hydrocephalus is one of the medical problems that may resemble symptoms of incurable dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). But there's a big difference between normal pressure hydrocephalus and degenerative dementia in that it may be possible to reverse the effects of normal pressure hydrocephalus with the right blend of interventions and therapies.

For instance, many patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus undergo a surgical procedure to insert a tube (frequently referred to as a "shunt") in the brain. The shunt facilitates the escape of excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to the abdominal walls. This alone may be enough treatment for some individuals who experience normal pressure hydrocephalus to recover. In fact, the Hydrocephalus Association reports that roughly eight out of 10 individuals who have a shunt placed see improvements quickly after their initial surgery.

Though surgically inserting a shunt is usually the first avenue to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus, draining the fluid near and in the brain doesn't always reduce the need for further management of patient complications. For example, patients still may find it challenging to walk or balance confidently. For that reason, physical therapy frequently is prescribed in tandem with the surgery to drain unwanted fluid. Indeed, physical therapy can be vital to improving gait issues; Joel specifically mentioned physical therapy in his May 2025 statement.

Long-term survival rates vary for people who are diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus and have a shunt. As explained in a 2024 review in Neurology International, the post-diagnosis mean survival among patients with shunts was 8.82 years, based on data from 1,614 records. However, some individuals live much longer. According to the review, approximately one-quarter of individuals with normal pressure hydrocephalus were still alive 13 years after getting a shunt to treat their brain disorder. The review also noted that undergoing therapy in addition to having a shunt could extend survival expectations.