Billy Joel Gives Health Update After Brain Surgery: ‘I’m OK — It Sounds a Lot Worse Than It Actually Is’

By Jem Aswad

Jem Aswad

Executive Editor, Music

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Billy Joel gave a health update during a call-in with fans on his SiriusXM channel this week, noting that he’s doing well after revealing earlier in September that he’d undergone brain surgery to relieve some of the symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus, a disorder he was diagnosed with in 2025.

“I know people are worried about me because they read that I have a brain disorder, which sounds a lot worse than it actually is,” he told callers. “I’m okay. My balance isn’t that good. Lost a little bit of my hearing, but that may have to do with my age, too, and the rock and roll life and the loud volume probably didn’t help. But I’m fine. I want people to not have to worry about me. I’m okay. And I appreciate your call.”

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