Billy Joel remains widely known for his catchy, piano-driven melodies and relatable storytelling. However, fans have recently grown concerned about his health, and the pianist has now explained why he changed his mind about undergoing brain surgery.
Billy Joel says doctors implanted a shunt to treat symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus
The songwriter appeared on SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, where he discussed his health. During the conversation, Billy Joel said doctors had implanted a shunt to treat symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH.
Joel said, “It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition, so I agreed to do the shunt. I had a surgery and they implanted a shunt in my brain — and it actually improved things.”
He explained that his memory, balance, and ability to function improved after the procedure. Joel also said he had initially been hesitant about the surgery but changed his mind after learning more about how a shunt could help his symptoms.
“The doctors told me this: because of my job, which is playing rock and roll music very loud, that it was giving me something like a concussion every time I did a show. It was causing damage to my brain nerves and I could be losing more brain cells the more shows I did and I realized that means I shouldn’t be doing this right now. I got to improve,” he said.
During the conversation, Billy Joel also reassured fans about his health.
“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,” he said.
For context, the 77-year-old first publicly disclosed his diagnosis in May 2025 after experiencing problems with his balance and other symptoms. He subsequently canceled his scheduled concerts while focusing on treatment and recovery. Joel has since been undergoing physical therapy and following his doctors’ guidance.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a neurological condition involving a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that can affect balance, memory, and other aspects of functioning.
