Billy Joel has had a tough time recently, following the diagnosis of a brain disorder that has resulted in his future performance dates getting cancelled. Thankfully, though, Joel’s fans are real ones. The Piano Man has gotten nothing but love in his social media comments as of late. Even his wife and daughter have been feeling the love lately, too.
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Billy Joel’s approach to his recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) and the subsequent treatment he has been trucking through has been admirable. The disease, which causes fluid build-up in the brain, can cause pressure on the brain and be disruptive to cognitive function.
Thankfully, Billy Joel’s brain disorder is fully treatable, but requires an extended period of rest and physical therapy. Thus, Joel had no choice but to cancel all of his upcoming tour and concert dates. He didn’t waste any time giving his fans an update on which tour dates were cancelled. He also announced that refunds would be automatically provided.
Billy Joel Says “Getting Old Sucks, but It’s Preferable To Getting Cremated”
It looks like Joel’s spirits are high but realistic as well, and he’s thankfully maintained his sense of humor. Recently, the world premiere of Joel’s documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, kicked off at the Tribeca Festival in New York. Naturally, Joel had to sit the premier out. Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin made an appearance at the premiere, where they spoke on behalf of Joel.
“We know Billy wishes he were here tonight, and he asked us to convey that to you all,” the director duo revealed. “In fact, he said, ‘Getting old sucks, but it’s preferable to getting cremated.’ […] He will be back.”
We sure hope so. Joel has not historically made a habit of cancelling his performances, but it seems fans can rest assured that Joel will be back in action soon enough.
In the meantime, Billy Joel: And So It Goes is a treat worth enjoying. The documentary features previously unseen footage of the Piano Man, along with candid interviews from his past. It also features performances of Joel classics, such as “Just The Way You Are” and “New York State Of Mind”. The documentary will hit streaming service HBO Max by the end of this summer.
Photo by Myrna M. Suarez/Getty Images
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