Billy Joel, 77, Cites Brain Condition for Halting Driving and Performances
The legendary musician is managing normal pressure hydrocephalus, which has led to medical advice against driving and performing due to potential concussion-like effects from concerts.
Billy Joel, 77, has revealed that he is currently unable to drive and has been advised by doctors to halt performances due to his ongoing battle with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain condition for which he has undergone surgery.
"I can’t drive right now," Joel told The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday. "I’m not allowed to drive."
He further explained the reasoning behind the performance restriction: "And I can’t do performances because what the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion."
Joel, a New York native, has canceled his concerts and stated that he will need to undergo "a series of tests" before he can return to the stage. Doctors have identified several factors associated with performing that can aggravate his condition, including the high volume characteristic of rock and roll music.
"Rock ‘n’ roll is loud, man. Rock ‘n’ roll made me deaf already. So it’s the lighting, the sound, the stress of the show, the audience, the energy of the performance," Joel said. "There’s a lot going on when you’re onstage. And they said, 'Well, you really shouldn’t be doing that right now.'"
Joel expressed a desire to perform again if his tests clear him. "I would like to be able to" do so, he stated.
In addition to his health concerns, Joel is also selling approximately 70 of his motorcycles in an upcoming Gooding Christie’s Rétromobile New York auction, scheduled for November 20-21 at the Javits Center. He explained that the decision stems from his realization that he cannot ride as much as he used to in his 70s, and with his driving capabilities affected by NPH, he felt it was time to let them go.
"I ended up having over a hundred motorcycles, and the truth is you can only ride one at a time," Joel said. "I’m into my 70s now, and I realized I can’t ride as much as I used to." He added, "I don’t want to die like a bug on a windshield. So I thought I’d put a lot of them on auction."
Joel described his past enjoyment of riding motorcycles, particularly the sense of anonymity they provided. "I love the anonymity of it," he said. "And I love the customization of these bikes, the modifications, the messing around with things. I was not a collector. I was actually a rider."
He elaborated on the anonymity, stating, "You have the helmet on; you’ve got goggles on. Nobody knows who you are. Just another schmuck on a motorcycle."
Joel was diagnosed with NPH in 2025. The Cleveland Clinic defines the condition as fluid buildup within or around the brain that disrupts brain function, impacting areas such as thinking, memory, and movement. NPH typically begins to affect individuals around the age of 70.
Despite these challenges, Joel has reassured fans about his overall health, stating, "I have this thing called hydrocephalus... It affects your balance, it affects your memory, it affects your vision, your hearing. But I'm OK."
