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Keeping The Faith

All about Billy Joel's rare brain condition - and what it means for his future.

By Jeff Nelson in People

illy Joel was gearing up for a historic summer. Set to become the first singer to play concerts at all three New York CIty-area stadiums in the same season, the music icon was forced to press pause on those plans due to a private health crisis. On May 23, Joel, 76, announced he would be canceling all scheduled concerts while revealing in a statement to People that he was recently diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain condition caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid buildup in the brain ventricles that can affect memory, movement and concentration. "I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience and thank you for understanding," Joel said.

The "Piano Man" singer has faced health struggles publicly in recent months, and his NPH revelation comes after he suffered an onstage fall at a concert in Connecticut in February, causing concern among fans; by March, he had postponed shows through June. Joel's "condition has been exacerbated by recent performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance," the statement said, adding that he is undergoing physical therapy specifically for his diagnosis and "looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage... he is grateful for the support from his fans during this time."

Joel's family -- including his daughter, singer Alexa Ray, 39, with ex Christie Brinkley -- have rallied around the Grammy winner throughout the ordeal. On May 26 his fourth wife, Alexis, 43, gave an update on his condition. "We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received," she captioned a smiley Instagram photo with their daughters Della, 9, and Remy, 7. "We are hopeful for his recovery."

For now, Joel is following his doctors' orders and refraining from performing and "is fully committed to prioritizing his health" as he focuses on getting better, the statement added. "He is happiest while performing. Music is, has been and will always be in his life," says a music industry insider. "He's not ready to retire." Indeed, a source close to Joel adds, "he is not retiring and hopes to be able to to resume performing as his recovery progresses."  

What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus? According to the Cleveland Clinic, NPH occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the skull and presses on the brain. The rare condition -- usually treated with surgery -- most often affects people over 65 and can cause dementia-like symptoms, including issues walking, urinary incontinence and cognitive difficulties.

Ozzy's Ordeal

Ozzy's wife Sharon reveals the heavy metal icon can no longer walk due to Parkinson's.

By Daniela Avila in People

zzy Osbourne's wife, Sharon, gave an update earlier this year about the rocker's battle with Parkinson's disease -- which he was first diagnosed with in 2003 -- revealing that he has lost mobility in his legs. "Parkinson's is a progressive disease -- it's not something you can stabilize," Sharon, 72, told The Sun on Feb. 5. "It affects different parts of the body, and it's affected his legs. Days prior Ozzy, 76, addressed his health himself during an episode of his Sirius XM radio show OZZY Speaks. "I have made it to 2025," he said. "I can't walk, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I'm still alive."

In a separate interview with RadioX, Sharon said Ozzy -- who has undergone four spinal surgeries since his diagnosis -- is working with a physiotherapist to keep his muscles moving. "He's fine... as fine as you can be with Parkinson's disease," she said. Last year during an episode of The Osbournes Podcast Ozzy said that even though his health issues have taken a toll, he's "far from being on his last leg." The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who was inducted as a solo act in 2024 and with Black Sabbath in 2006, will reunite with his old band for the first time in 20 years in July at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK for the final-ever Black Sabbath concert. Sharon told The Sun: "He's very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this." During a recent OZZY Speaks episode, the rocker promised "by hook or by crook, I'm gonna make it," adding that his trainer is "convinced that he can pull it off for me... I'm giving it everything I've got."   

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