Billy Joel Opens Up About Health After His Brain Surgery
(SiriusXM) Billy Joel shared a health update and discussed the unique brilliance of Bob Dylan on SiriusXM's The Billy Joel Channel. Billy Joel is opening up about his health, revealing that he underwent brain surgery after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). During a new health update on SiriusXM's The Billy Joel Channel, Billy explained that he initially noticed problems with his balance, describing the sensation as feeling like he was "on a boat."
After meeting with a neurologist and receiving his diagnosis, doctors recommended implanting a shunt in his brain. "So I agreed to do the shunt," Billy said. "And I had a surgery and they implanted a shunt in my brain and it actually improved things."
Billy said his memory, balance and ability to function all improved following the procedure. Billy also said doctors advised him to step away from performing because of concerns that the physical effects of playing loud rock concerts could further affect his condition. "I realized that means I shouldn't be doing this right now," Billy said. "I gotta improve. They don't want me to stress too much."
"I just want people to know, don't worry about me," Billy said. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. I'm still here."
Billy additionally opened up about the unique brilliance of Bob Dylan. "Dylan is, for me, he was the top guy. Nobody wrote like Dylan before Dylan and even after Dylan, nobody wrote like Dylan. Sometimes I don't know what the hell he's talking about and he'll even admit to that, but his style of writing is totally unique. He was the only guy who really did that to this day, and he's still kicking it," said Billy.
SiriusXM's The Billy Joel Channel shared these excerpts: "I'm Still Here": Billy Joel Opens Up About His Health, Balance Issues, and Recovery: Billy Joel: I noticed that my balance was not good. I had this sense of being on a boat, like this rocking motion. I wasn't steady on my feet. I didn't know why that was and I went to meet with the neurologist, and I was diagnosed with having something called normal pressure hydrocephalus, which they used to call water on the brain. Nobody's really sure what causes it, but they're able to diagnose it and I heard this and I said, "Oh, well, what does that mean?" "Well, you know, it could be progressive. It could get worse, but what we recommend is that you implant a shunt in your brain." I said, "Well, what does that entail?" "Well, we drill a hole through your skull and we stick a shunt inside your brain." I said, "Nah, I think I'll pass on that." I didn't want to do that, but then I read up on it and I realized it can help improve your balance and can help your memory. You know, I don't want to lose my marbles. It's hard to tell what's age and what's a condition, so I agreed to do the shunt and I had a surgery, and they implanted a shunt in my brain and it actually improved things. My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better, and I realized, and the doctors told me this, because of my job, which is playing rock and roll music very loud, that it was giving me something like a concussion every time I did a show. It was causing damage to my brain nerves and I could be losing more brain cells the more shows I did and I realized that means I shouldn't be doing this right now. I got to improve. They don't want me to stress too much, so I'm doing physical therapy. I'm doing whatever it is they tell me to do because I don't want to lose it, you know? So, I'm always testing myself. I know people have heard, "Oh, he's got a brain disorder," and I'm okay. I just want people to know, don't worry about me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. I'm still here.
Billy Joel on the Unique Brilliance of Bob Dylan: Billy Joel: Well, Dylan is, for me, he was the top guy. Nobody wrote like Dylan before Dylan and even after Dylan, nobody wrote like Dylan. Sometimes I don't know what the hell he's talking about and he'll even admit to that, but his style of writing is totally unique. He was the only guy who really did that to this day, and he's still kicking it. Yeah, he had a way with lyrics. You didn't always know what he was talking about, but the lyrics sounded like he knew what he was talking about. "Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me. In the jingle-jangle morning, I'll come followin' you." Now, who did that before him? You know, this is fantastic stuff and the guy had to face all this resistance to him plugging in. There were people that were dead set against him playing electric guitar and I thought it was a great idea. I thought it was fantastic. It was a marriage of folk, rock, and amazing poetry. It was great.
Listen to Billy's update and more throughout the day on The Billy Joel Channel, available on Channel 93 on satellite radios and the SiriusXM app through Thursday, October 1 at 3am ET. Find more details here
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