Billy Joel's brain disorder explained as singer reveals sudden diagnosis and cancels all upcoming concerts

Billy Joel's team announced to the world this week that he had tragically been diagnosed with a brain disorder that affects just 0.2 percent of people in their 70s.

The 'We Didn't Start the Fire' hitmaker had 17 upcoming concerts spread across 2025 and 2026, but following his shock Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) diagnosis the 76-year-old has canceled all of them.

The rare condition is estimated to affect around 700,000 Americans, with the average age of developing onset NPH being 70 years old.

While it is prevalent in only 0.2 percent of adults in the US aged 70 to 80, the number rises to roughly one in 20 over the age of 80 years old - 5.9 percent to be specific, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

'Piano Man' singer Billy Joel, pictured in Las Vegas in November, announced on Friday that he had been diagnosed with NPH (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

However, it is believed that many more cases are either misdiagnosed, or more likely, undiagnosed.

The health service states that some symptoms of NPH are trouble lifting your feet, taking shorter and unsteady steps, walking uncertainly - as if you've forgotten how to do so.

Other symptoms include mental and physical slowness, problems with memory, changes in emotional behavior, and urinary incontinence.

Explaining what it is, the Cleveland Clinic writes: "Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a brain condition that happens when fluid buildup inside or around your brain disrupts your brain function.

"That can affect several brain-related abilities, including thinking and concentrating, memory, movement and more. The symptoms of NPH look very much like those of dementia, but NPH is sometimes reversible."

Joel performs onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards in February, last year (John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

As for what causes NPH, there are two forms of it that happen at a similar rate.

The first is primary (idiopathic) NPH, which is medically dubbed 'idiopathic' - terminology used for conditions that happen for unknown reasons.

However, it is suspected that it is due to an age-related issue of how our bodies reabsorb cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Although conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia could also contribute to it.

The other form is secondary NPH, which is contributed by conditions such as a brain aneurysm, brain tumours, infections of the brain and a person having a stroke can also cause NPH.

Joel, pictured performing in Tokyon in January last year, will live with the condition for the rest of his life (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

Taking to Instagram on Friday (May 23) to share the devastating news, Joel's team posted: "Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).

"This 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.

"Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing 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."

With the singer adding himself: "I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience and thank you for understanding."