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News18•30-09-2026, 21:45
Billy Joel Updates Fans on Brain Surgery Recovery: "I'm Okay!"
  • •Singer-songwriter Billy Joel confirmed he is "doing okay" after undergoing brain surgery earlier this month.
  • •Joel had the procedure to manage symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition diagnosed in 2025 where cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the skull.
  • •He reassured fans, stating, "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."
  • •Joel acknowledged some balance issues and hearing loss, attributing the latter partly to age and his rock and roll career.
  • •The 77-year-old musician also shared the inspiration behind his 1973 song "Captain Jack" during the fan call.

Key Questions Answered

Billy Joel was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus in 2025, a condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain.

Billy Joel shared that he is doing okay after undergoing brain surgery earlier in the month to manage his symptoms, though he noted some lingering balance issues and hearing loss.

Billy Joel was inspired to write Captain Jack while living in Oyster Bay, Long Island, after watching suburban kids score drugs from a location across the street from his apartment.