Billy Joel has disclosed that his neurologist has advised him against both performing and driving, a revelation that raises the possibility the music icon may never return to the stage.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the "Just The Way You Are" singer addressed his future as a performer. "I don't know. I have to take a series of tests before I know, but … I'm not allowed to drive. And I can't do performances because what the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it's like you're getting a concussion," Joel told The Hollywood Reporter.
Joel also confirmed he is living with hydrocephalus, a condition involving excess fluid in the brain. "I have a condition called hydrocephalus, which makes driving a little bit iffy. So I realized it's time for me to turn it over to somebody else," he told The Hollywood Reporter.
That decision has taken a tangible form: Joel is auctioning off more than 70 of his motorcycles, with proceeds directed to his organization, The Joel Foundation.
The health update follows a difficult period for Joel. Last month, he lost his best friend and former bandmate Jon Small. In a tribute posted to his Instagram account, Joel wrote, "Losing Jon has hit me in a way I have never experienced. It is difficult to imagine this world without him in it."
There is some encouraging news amid the uncertainty. Joel said his memory and balance have improved following surgery. "I'm not going anywhere, I'm here. I'm still here," he told The Hollywood Reporter.
The interview was reported by TMZ.com on October 15, 2026.