Billy Joel Shares He Can No Longer Drive or Perform Amid Health Battle
Billy Joel is opening up about how his health problems have changed his everyday life and put his legendary performing career on hold.
The 77-year-old “Piano Man” singer revealed that he is currently unable to drive and has not been cleared by doctors to return to the stage as he continues treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus, also known as NPH.
“I’m not allowed to drive,” Joel told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published Thursday.
Joel explained that he still has to undergo a series of medical tests before doctors can determine whether it is safe for him to perform again.
The health problems have also forced Joel to give up another longtime passion: motorcycles. He is auctioning off more than 70 bikes from his collection.
“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.”
Joel said his NPH makes driving “a little bit iffy,” and he decided it was time to let other people enjoy the motorcycles.
“I love motorcycles. I love biking. I love driving,” he said, explaining that he considered himself a rider rather than simply a collector.
Why Billy Joel Can’t Perform Right Now
Joel also explained why doctors have advised him to stay away from concerts for the time being.
According to the singer, his neurologist compared the effects of performing a concert to repeatedly experiencing a concussion because of the loud music, lights, stress and intense energy involved in a live show.
“Rock and roll is loud, man,” Joel said.
He explained that there is a lot happening physically and mentally when he is onstage, from the volume of the music to the lighting and excitement of the crowd.
Doctors have told him that performing is something he “really shouldn’t be doing” right now.
However, Joel has not given up hope of returning to the stage. He said he needs more testing before doctors can determine whether he can safely perform again.
It is something he would “like to be able to do,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
His Brain Disorder Diagnosis
Joel announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, NPH occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and puts pressure on the brain. The condition can cause problems with walking, balance, thinking and bladder control.
The diagnosis came after Joel had already postponed several concerts because of health concerns. He eventually canceled the remainder of his scheduled performances.
His health had raised concerns months earlier after he suffered a fall during a March 2025 concert at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.
Billy Joel Underwent Brain Surgery
In September 2026, Joel revealed that he had undergone surgery to treat his condition.
Doctors implanted a shunt in his brain to help drain excess fluid. Joel later said the procedure appeared to make a noticeable difference.
“I don’t want to lose my marbles,” he said during an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel.
Joel said it was sometimes difficult to know which changes were caused by aging and which were related to his medical condition. After undergoing the procedure, however, he noticed improvements in his memory, balance and overall ability to function.
He has continued physical therapy and is following his doctors’ recommendations as he recovers.
A Legendary Music Career
The possibility that Joel may not be able to return to performing is especially significant because live music has been at the center of his life for decades.
Born William Martin Joel in the Bronx, New York, in 1949 and raised on Long Island, Joel began playing piano as a child. After performing with several bands, he launched a solo career and released his first album, “Cold Spring Harbor,” in 1971.
His breakthrough came with the 1973 album “Piano Man.” Its title track became one of his signature songs and helped establish him as one of the most recognizable singer-songwriters of his generation.
Joel went on to release a long list of hits, including “Uptown Girl,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “Only the Good Die Young,” “Just the Way You Are,” “New York State of Mind,” “You May Be Right” and “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.”
His 1977 album “The Stranger” became one of his biggest successes and included classics such as “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” and “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song).”
Over his career, Joel has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, won multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
He also became famous for his live performances. His long-running residency at Madison Square Garden turned into one of the most celebrated concert runs in the venue’s history.
Hoping for a Return to the Stage
For now, Joel’s focus remains on his health.
Although he cannot drive or perform at the moment, his comments suggest he has not officially closed the door on returning to music.
He is continuing physical therapy, undergoing medical testing and following the advice of his doctors.
Whether the “Piano Man” will eventually be able to sit behind the piano in front of a concert crowd again remains uncertain.
But Joel has made it clear that, if his health allows it, he would like the chance to perform again.
