Billy Joel's love for the stage was also likely what lead to his brain disorder and subsequent surgery.The "Uptown Girl" singer revealed his normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) diagnosis in May 2025.NPH affects his vision, hearing and balance, according to a statement Joel released on social media at the time.Joel, 77, delved more into his recovery process during a recent appearance on his self-titled SiriusXM show, "The Billy Joel Channel," and said doctors told him that his rock 'n' roll lifestyle caused damage to his brain nerves.BILLY JOEL SAYS AGING MUSICIANS WHO KEEP MAKING RECORDS PAST THEIR PRIME 'DILUTE THEIR LEGACY'Billy Joel said doctors believe his brain disorder was due to his loud rock ‘n’ roll concerts.
(Taylor Hill/Getty Images)"I noticed that my balance was not good.I had this sense of being on a boat, like this rocking motion," Joel said of noticing initial issues.
"I wasn't steady on my feet.I didn't know why that was and I went to meet with the neurologist, and I was diagnosed with having something called normal pressure hydrocephalus, which they used to call water on the brain."Doctors admitted NPH "could be progressive" and get worse, and encouraged Joel to undergo surgery.Joel remembered his medical team saying, "Well, we drill a hole through your skull and we stick a shunt inside your brain."CÉLINE DION REVEALS 17-YEAR SECRET HEALTH BATTLE BEFORE RARE DIAGNOSIS"I didn't want to do that, but then I read up on it and I realized it can help improve your balance and can help your memory," he noted.
"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."Billy Joel previously postponed a string of concerts due to an unknown medical issue.
(Getty Images)"My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better, and I realized, and the doctors told m...