Billy Joel, 77, reveals doctors have forbidden him to drive or perform amid his battle with a brain disorder
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By ADAM S. LEVY, US SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Billy Joel says doctors have curtailed his activities amid his ongoing battle with the brain condition normal pressure hydrocephalus.
The hitmaker told The Hollywood Reporter Thursday: 'I can't drive right now. I’m not allowed to drive.'
He also revealed that before he'll be able to perform in public again, he has to take a series of tests.
'What the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion,' he explained, adding that it's the combination of extreme sound volume, lighting, stress and energy that is the cause of the concern.
Joel, however, reassured his fans that overall, he remains in good health.
'I have this thing called hydrocephalus. It used to be called water on the brain, so it affects your balance, it affects your memory, it affects your vision, your hearing. But I’m OK,' he shared.
Billy Joel has revealed his doctors have banned him from driving and from performing amid his battle with the brain condition normal pressure hydrocephalus. Above, on stage in 2024
He added: 'They call it a brain disorder, but it’s not that serious. It’s just something that affects your balance mostly.'
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Joel for further comment on the story.
In the interview, Joel also spoke about his decision to auction off his collection of motorbikes next month.
'I ended up having over a hundred motorcycles, and the truth is you can only ride one at a time,' he said. 'I’m into my 70s now, and I realized I can’t ride as much as I used to.
'I don’t want to die like a bug on a windshield. So I thought I’d put a lot of them on auction.'
About 70 of his motorcycles will go under the hammer at Gooding Christie’s Rétromobile New York auction at the Javits Center on November 20 and 21.
'What the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion,' he explained, adding that it's the combination of extreme sound volume, lighting, stress and energy that is the cause of the concern
Next month, about 70 of his prized collection of motorcyles are set to be auctioned off. 'I ended up having over a hundred motorcycles, and the truth is you can only ride one at a time,' he said
'I like all of them. I like Japanese bikes. I like Italian bikes. I like English bikes. I like American bikes. I like Asian bikes. I like them all, he said of his passion for bikes.
'My crown jewel is a Moto Guzzi California Vintage 1100.'
And he admitted that he will miss being able to go for a spin, his identity protected by a helmet.
'You have the helmet on; you’ve got goggles on,' Joel said. 'Nobody knows who you are. Just another schmuck on a motorcycle.'
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