Billy Joel has announced the cancellation of all his upcoming concerts, including the much-anticipated performance in Pittsburgh, due to a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. This condition is impacting his hearing, vision, and balance.
Initially, Joel postponed four months of concerts back in March, with plans to return to the stage at Acrisure Stadium on July 5 alongside Rod Stewart. The concert was promoted as one of the major highlights of Pittsburgh's summer events.
In a statement shared on Facebook Friday, Joel revealed he is undergoing targeted physical therapy and has been advised by his doctors to refrain from performing during his recovery period.
The statement elaborated that Joel's condition "has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance." This news comes as a disappointment to many fans who were looking forward to the show.
Earlier this month, AC/DC performed at Acrisure Stadium, but now the only remaining concert on the venue's summer schedule is set for May 31, featuring country music icons George Strait and Chris Stapleton.
KDKA-TV reached out to inquire whether Rod Stewart would still take the stage in Pittsburgh without Joel. The last time Billy Joel performed in the city was during a summer concert at PNC Park in 2022, while Stewart had a show at PPG Paints Arena later that same year.
"Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health," the statement continued. "He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage."
Joel's cancellation affects over a dozen shows scheduled through 2026, including performances with notable artists such as Rod Stewart, Sting, and Stevie Nicks across both the U.S. and U.K.
"I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding," Joel expressed in his statement.
Refunds for tickets will be processed automatically; however, if tickets were transferred, the original purchaser will receive the refund.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus occurs when an excess of cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain's chambers. According to Johns Hopkins, this condition can arise when the normal flow of fluid throughout the brain and spinal cord is obstructed.
While rare, normal pressure hydrocephalus predominantly affects older adults, with symptoms often resembling those of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Madeline Bartos serves as a digital web producer for CBS Pittsburgh and has been with KDKA since 2019.
