The singer was diagnosed with a brain disorder and stepped away from live performances last year
Last year, Billy Joel stepped away from the stage after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, canceling his previously scheduled 2025-2026 tour. At the time, a statement on his website explained that the brain disorder had “been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance” and that he was undergoing physical therapy under his doctor’s instructions.
On Thursday, the singer shared an update about his health during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter and said that at the moment, he’s not allowed to drive. When discussing when he would perform again, Joel said, “I have to take a series of tests before I know,” adding, “I can’t drive right now. I’m not allowed to drive.” He said a neurologist informed him that “every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion.”
Last month, Joel said that he didn’t want people worrying about his health. “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,” he said on SiriusXM when taking calls from fans. “I’m okay. My balance isn’t that good. Lost a little bit of my hearing, but that may have to do with my age, too, and the rock and roll life and the loud volume probably didn’t help. But I’m fine. I want people to not have to worry about me. I’m okay.”
The musician is currently preparing to auction off over 70 vintage motorcycles from his personal collection on Nov. 20 and 21. Joel has been collecting and restoring vintage bikes for decades. And for 15 years, he ran 20th Century Cycles on Long Island, a shop for storing and servicing his bikes that doubled as a free museum to showcase his collection. (The shop shuttered in 2025.)
When THR asked why he was selling his collection, Joel replied, “I’m into my 70s now, and I realized I can’t ride as much as I used to. I don’t want to die like a bug on a windshield. So I thought I’d put a lot of them on auction.” He said his brain disorder makes riding a bit “iffy,” and he realized it was time “to turn it over to somebody else.”
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