Last month, we reported that the legendary singer Billy Joel had cancelled all future tour dates after being diagnosed with a brain disorder known as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Now, his friend Howard Stern is speaking out to address rumors that Joel is “dying” in the wake of this diagnosis.
Stern Reveals If Joel Is ‘Dying’
On Tuesday’s episode of The Howard Stern Show, Stern revealed that he last saw Joel two weeks ago. This was around the time that Joel revealed his NPH diagnosis to the world.
“Yeah, he does have issues, but he said, ‘Yeah, you can tell people, you know, I’m not dying,'” Stern said to his co-host Robin Quivers.
“You know, he wants people to know that,” Stern continued. “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.”
NPH is a rare condition that affects someone’s vision, hearing and balance. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the brain, enlarging the ventricles and puts pressure on brain tissue, potentially causing damage and neurological symptoms.”
Related: Billy Joel, 76, Makes Devastating Health Announcement – Cancels All Tour Dates
Joel Announces His Diagnosis
Joel announced his diagnosis on Instagram.
“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” Joel’s statement read. “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.”
The statement went on to say that Joel is “thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health. 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.”
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,” Joel himself later added.
Check out Joel’s full statement for yourself below.
Related: Billy Joel, 75, Has Final Show At Madison Square Garden – ‘It’s Been A Dream Come True’
Joel’s Wife Breaks Her Silence
Joel’s wife Alexis Roderick Joel, 39, has since spoken out about the singer’s diagnosis, thanking his millions of fans for their support.
“Thank you for the outpouring of love and support.” she told Fox News. “We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received. Bill is beloved by many, and to us, he is a father and husband who is at the center of our world. We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.”
Roderick Joel had previously opened up about Joel’s health challenges back in March.
“He’s doing well,” she said at the time. “It’s funny, I was just having this conversation the other day. He’s going to be 76. And I don’t think of him that way. People don’t think of him in that way, but he is. And he’s been doing this job nonstop for 15 years – just this recent run.”
“Sometimes your health has to take priority, and things have to get postponed,” she added. “But really, in the grand scheme of things, he’s a healthy person, and he’s well and working on himself, trying to get better and do what he has to do medically. So it’s important, you know, we need him around so he has to do what he has to do.”
Joel has been one of the most popular singers in the world for decades. Indeed, he’s beloved not only for his talent, but also for his big heart and down to earth nature.
This has clearly been a very difficult time for Joel and all of his loved ones. Please join us in saying a prayer for Billy Joel!
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