New York — Billy Joel offered fans an update on his health during a call-in appearance on his SiriusXM channel this week, saying he is doing well after undergoing brain surgery earlier this year to address symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition he was diagnosed with in 2025.
“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 told callers. “I’m okay. My balance isn’t that good. Lost a little bit of my hearing, but that may have to do with my age, too, and the rock and roll life and the loud volume probably didn’t help. But I’m fine. I want people to not have to worry about me. I’m okay. And I appreciate your call.”
The caller had initially asked Joel about the inspiration behind his 1973 song “Captain Jack,” which centers on a drug dealer. Joel recalled living in Oyster Bay, Long Island, across from a public housing area and seeing suburban teenagers obtaining drugs there.
“And it seemed odd to me that kids from the suburbs were doing that. It was just kind of a foreign thing to me,” he said. Joel described the track as “a look out the window song,” explaining that he was watching people come and go from a drug dealer across the street while developing a bassline with a somewhat symphonic quality.
“I always wanted to do something with that and the subject of the song seemed to fit with that particular team and that’s how it got written,” he said.
The 77-year-old musician announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a disorder in which cerebrospinal fluid accumulates inside the skull and puts pressure on the brain. He subsequently canceled several concerts after being advised not to perform while recovering.
Joel returned to the stage in January of this year, performing two songs with a tribute band. However, he said during the SiriusXM call that his doctors have generally advised him to avoid excessive stress.
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