Brain

It is unclear when Billy Joel will perform again.

The 77-year-old singer has to take “a series of tests” before being able to tour again, he told the Hollywood Reporter in a health update following his 2025 brain disorder diagnosis.

“I’m not allowed to drive,” Joel said in the interview published Thursday. “And I can’t do performances because what the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion.”

Joel canceled concerts in May 2025 after revealing two months before that he had a brain disorder known as normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH, which causes physical and mental issues.

“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance,” Joel said in a statement on his Instagram in May 2025. “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.”

NPH is a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain’s ventricles, according to the Alzheimer’s Assn. It can cause cognitive issues, difficulty walking and the loss of bladder control. Those suffering with NPH often walk with a wide stance and their bodies bent forward as if they were trying to maintain balance on a boat — a feeling that Joel described while on Bill Maher’s podcast “Club Random” on July 21, 2025.

Other symptoms include mild dementia that involves short-term memory loss, a lack of interest in daily activities and difficulty completing routine tasks.

NPH is one of the few causes of dementia that can be controlled or reversed with surgical treatment, usually involving the placement of a shunt.

It is unclear whether Joel underwent the procedure, although the “Uptown Girl” singer initially postponed his concerts in March 2025 after undergoing unspecified surgery and physical therapy.

The surgery took place just weeks after the crooner lost his balance on Feb. 22, 2025, while performing “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.; however, it is unclear if the tumble and subsequent surgery were at all related to the NPH diagnosis he revealed to the public that May.

For now, Joel reports that he is “OK” and the diagnosis is “not that serious,” per his THR interview. Neurologists have warned the singer, however, about the risks involved in performing, including that the lighting and sound can cause stress in the body.

“And [neurologists] said, ‘Well, you really shouldn’t be doing that right now.’ So they have to test me further to see if I can go back and do performing again, which I would like to be able to do,” he said.

Times staff writer Alexandra Del Rosario and former assistant editor Christie D’Zurilla contributed to this report.

Charity Brain Tumour Research said the disease was the cancer most likely to kill patients under 40 in the UK.

They said charities made up more than 75% of the total national investment in brain tumour research, with the government funding sitting at 25%.

Following the announcement, chief executive Dan Knowles thanked Goodburn for his “tireless efforts” in raising awareness of the disease.

He said: “We are optimistic that this renewed focus will help ensure discoveries in the laboratory actually make it to patients who so desperately need more options.”

The Rare Cancers Bill, led by Edinburgh South West MP Scott Arthur, became law earlier this year.

The legislation aims to incentivise research and investment into the treatment of rare types of cancer, defined as those affecting fewer than 1 in every 2,000 people.

But Goodburn previously said that did not go far enough and a dedicated brain cancer lead would allow for greater focus on specific research and trials.

Arthur said the act was “vital” to driving research needed into the condition, but Goodburn’s meeting with Burnham could lead to further work in the field.

“There is real opportunity in the sector to dismantle the barriers to research that charities, clinicians, and researchers have known about for decades,” he said before the meeting.

“Having met Archie a number of times I know he is a fantastic advocate for the brain tumour community.

“I hope his meeting with the prime minister is a moment for concrete progress to be made.”

BILLY Joel has shared a new health update just weeks after undergoing surgery for a rare brain condition.

The singer, 77, who was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) in May 2025, underwent a procedure to help improve his symptoms last month.

According to the NHS website, a hydrocephalus is a “build-up of fluid in the brain. The excess fluid puts pressure on the brain, which can damage it”, and NPH “usually develops in older people”.

He had a shunt implanted in his brain to drain excess fluid.

Earlier this week he shared how he has been feeling while on his SiriusXM show The Billy Joel Channel.

Billy said: “I know people are worried about me because they read that I have a brain disorder, which sounds a lot worse than it actually is.”

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He added: “I’m okay” but went on to confess that his “balance isn’t that good”.

The performer also explained that he’s “lost a little bit of my hearing” – which he actually thinks is due to the performing on stage for years.

The star also confessed that he “appreciates” everyone but doesn’t want people to “worry” about him.

Talking about the surgery, Billy said last month: “I didn’t want to do that, but then I read up on it and I realised it can help improve your balance and can help your memory.”

He added: “You know, I don’t want to lose my marbles.

“It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition, so I agreed to do the shunt and I had a surgery, and they implanted a shunt in my brain and it actually improved things.”

After having the surgery, Billy explained: “My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better.” 

After being diagnosed with NPH, Billy cancelled all tour dates due to the condition.

Billy is best known for songs such as Piano Man, Uptown Girl and We Didn’t Start the Fire.

TOWIE’S Jordan Brook has revealed his brain will be damaged forever as he gave fans an emotional health update following his meningitis battle.

Earlier this year, the 31-year-old told how he had been diagnosed with viral meningitis and encephalitis and spent weeks in hospital after falling ill.

Jordan faced a terrifying battle to survive for his unborn child – as the virus attacked his brain, leaving him unable to speak or walk.

Now Jordan has given fans a new health update after looking over his MRI scans at a follow-up appointment.

He said: “It’s a real and bittersweet feeling when you see a picture of your brain and you see that there is damage there that will be there forever.

“I’m so proud of myself and how far I’ve come and really feel that I’m making that recovery. I’m almost at the six months mark now, which is a huge milestone in brain recovery.”

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Speaking about the scan pictures, Jordan continued: “Imagine breaking your leg or your arm… you will always see that scar on your body and this is one unfortunately you can’t see it, it’s in the head.

“It’s just a reminder about how bad these infections can be on the brain and that they can affect anyone.

“I’m doing everything I can do in my power to help people and raise awareness. I’ve got a lovely charity that I’m working closely with, we’re gonna do some amazing things.”

“I’m so determined to be me, I’m feeling like Jordan again. The energy is high, just got to keep going and fighting through this,” he added.

Jordan captioned the post: “I’ve just come out of another follow-up appointment and today I got to see my MRI and the scarring that’s been left on my brain.

“I won’t lie, seeing it was hard to take. But if this journey has taught me anything, it’s how resilient we really are.

“There are good days and difficult ones, but I’m still here, still recovering and still moving forward.”

One fan wrote: “You are an amazing human been through so much staying positive always is key keep going Jordan take care of yourself.”

Another fan penned: “You have come a long way and have achieved so much. Seeing how poorly you were to where you are now is testament to you.

“Enjoy your family with Soph and Brody. Onwards and upwards Jord!”

Jordan recently fought back tears as he recalled the scary moment doctors suspected he had brain cancer.

After going through a lumbar puncture – a procedure in which spinal fluid is drained and examined in a lab – doctors told him they were considering the possibility that he might have had brain cancer.

During an episode of By the Brook podcast, which he hosts with his girlfriend Sophie Kasaei, Jordan said: “Obviously, the doctors have to give you the worst case scenario.

“That’s when the doctors said, ‘We can’t rule out brain cancer.

“Now, to hear that when you’ve got your girlfriend sat next to you who’s seven months pregnant with a baby you’ve waited for so long…”

Jordan added: “You never want to hear that about your kids. Sophie’s holding my kid.

“You never want to hear about your partner. It was the worst time of our lives ever.”