Billy Joel has candidly discussed his health following the revelation that he has been diagnosed with a brain disorder. The acclaimed singer-songwriter provided an update this week. He admitted that while he feels “fine,” his balance “sucks” and doctors have yet to determine the cause of his condition.
During an appearance on the Club Random podcast, the topic of his documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes was raised. Podcast host Bill Maher asked, “I learned so much about you. First of all, your health. I mean, all your fans want to know … you had something. Did we fix it?”
Billy responded: “It’s not fixed, it’s still being worked on.” He further stated: “I feel fine. My balance sucks – it’s like being on a boat.”
Billy explained that his condition, normal pressure hydrocephalus, was formerly referred to as “water on the brain”.
When asked about its cause, he said: “Nobody knows. They don’t know. I thought it must be from drinking.”
Billy then confirmed that he no longer drinks, stating: “But I used to, like a fish.”
He concluded by saying: “I feel good. They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling, y’know.”
The singer had to cancel concerts due to the diagnosis in May, and wrote on his Instagram that the condition “has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance”.
“Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period,” the statement said. “Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritising his health. He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.”