Billy Joel issues health update through Howard Stern: “I’m not dying”
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(Credits: Myrna Suarez)
Sirius XM host Howard Stern has issued a new health update on Billy Joel after the singer cancelled his tour dates last month.
In May, Joel shared that he’d been diagnosed with the brain disorder, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) and as a result, all of his future live commitments had been cancelled. He had been due to play huge stadium shows in the UK and US with Stevie Nicks, Sting and Rod Stewart joining him as special guests.
A statement posted by his team on social media explained: “Billy Joel has announced that he will be canceling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.”
Joel also issued a message of his own, telling fans: “I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.”
Now, Stern, who is close friends with Joel, told listeners of The Howard Stern Show while speaking with Robin Quivers that he recently met the singer for dinner two weeks ago and revealed details of the evening.
Stern explained: “Yeah, he does have issues, but he said, ‘Yeah, you can tell people, you know, I’m not dying.’ You know, he wants people to know that. He just, he’s gotta deal with some medical stuff, but he was delightful. We had a great time with the wives. We had a great conversation. I was telling him, I’m enjoying playing classical music on the guitar.”
When asked by Quivers, “I’m sure that made him happy,” Stern responded, “It did. He lit up ’cause that’s what he’s into.”
Stern continued, “Then it was his birthday, I even brought out the guitar and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him, then he threw up,” which the broadcaster admitted Joel “didn’t seem real impressed” by.
The cancellation came after Joel previously rearranged a number of his concerts after surgery in March. He was set to make his live return on July 5th at the Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. At the time, he shared, “While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding.”
Joel last performed on February 22nd at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Towards the end of the show, the singer-songwriter suffered a painful fall after throwing his microphone to a member of his crew before seemingly recovering to finish the concert.
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