Billy Joel has undergone brain surgery: "Don't worry about me – I'm not going anywhere"
10 September 2026, 10:58
Billy Joel reveals details of his recent brain surgery.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Billy Joel has revealed that he has had brain surgery.
Joel last year announced that he had been diagnosed with a brain disorder called normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and was forced to postpone and then cancel a number of UK live shows.
- Watch Billy Joel surprise fans with first performance since brain disorder diagnosis
- Billy Joel health: What is normal pressure hydrocephalus? Singer’s latest updates and more
- Listen to the Smooth Summer Live Playlist on Global Player
He has now told fans that he has had brain surgery to help relieve his symptoms, after initially being unsure about undergoing the procedure.
Joel said that he was turned off the idea when he was told that surgeons would "drill a hole through your skull" and "stick a shunt inside your brain", telling his doctors: "Nah, I think I'll pass on that."
Speaking on SiriusXM's The Billy Joel Channel, he said that he was convinced to go ahead when he was told that his condition could get worse without it.
Billy Joel surprises fans with Joe Jonas duet on 'Uptown Girl' at BST Hyde Park
"I read up on it and I realised it can help improve your balance and can help your memory," Joel said.
"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."
He added: "It actually improved things. My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better.
Billy Joel - Uptown Girl (Official Video)
"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."
Despite stepping back from touring while he recovers, Billy Joel did make it on stage at the start of the year for a short performance.
He joined Floridian cover band The Turnstiles to play two of his songs, ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ and ‘Big Shot’, at the village amphitheater in Wellington where he owns a property.
