Joel Reveals He Can No Longer Drive or Perform Amid Health Battle

Music legend Billy Joel has shared a difficult update on his health, revealing that he is currently unable to drive and has been advised not to perform while doctors continue evaluating his condition.

The 77-year-old “Piano Man” singer discussed the challenges in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on October 15, 2026. Joel said his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder that can affect balance, vision and other functions, has significantly changed his daily life.

Joel revealed that he is no longer permitted to drive and is preparing to auction off more than 70 motorcycles from his extensive collection.

Billy Joel Says His Health Has Forced Him to Stop Driving

Joel was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus in 2025. At the time, his representatives said the condition had affected his hearing, vision and balance, and that he would undergo physical therapy.

In September 2026, the singer also revealed that he had undergone surgery to have a shunt placed in his brain as part of his treatment.

Discussing his decision to sell many of his motorcycles, Joel explained that riding had become increasingly difficult as he dealt with his condition.

“I’m not allowed to drive,” Joel said in the interview.

The musician, who has owned more than 100 motorcycles, said he had come to realise that he could no longer ride as often as he once did.

“I’m into my 70s now, and I realized I can’t ride as much as I used to,” he explained, adding that he wanted to pass the motorcycles on to other owners.

Joel also acknowledged the risks associated with continuing to ride. His NPH diagnosis, he said, makes driving more uncertain, prompting him to recognise that it was time to step away.

Why Billy Joel Is Auctioning More Than 70 Motorcycles

For Joel, motorcycles have represented more than a collection. He described himself as an active rider who enjoyed the experience of driving, modifying bikes and travelling without attracting attention.

“I love motorcycles. I love biking. I love driving. I love the anonymity of it,” he said.

He also spoke about his enjoyment of customisation, including making modifications and working on the machines himself.

Joel said he never viewed himself simply as a collector, but as someone who genuinely enjoyed riding. His decision to auction off many of the motorcycles reflects the practical changes he has had to make because of his health.

The planned sale will involve more than 70 motorcycles, according to the interview, although the supplied report does not specify the complete auction schedule or the final list of vehicles.

Billy Joel Says Doctors Have Advised Him Against Performing

Alongside the restrictions on driving, Joel revealed that he is currently unable to perform live while his medical team continues assessing his condition.

The singer said his neurologist warned him about the potential impact of performing on his brain condition, comparing the effects of a show to experiencing a concussion.

Joel pointed to the loud sound, intense lighting, physical demands and emotional energy of a live concert as factors that could affect him.

“Rock and roll is loud, man,” he said, noting that years of performing had already affected his hearing.

He explained that being onstage involves more than singing and playing music. The combination of sound, lighting, stress and audience energy creates an intense environment, and his doctors have advised him not to return to performing for now.

According to Joel, further medical testing will be needed to determine whether he can safely resume live shows.

Billy Joel Hopes to Return to the Stage

Despite the uncertainty, Joel expressed a desire to perform again if his health allows it.

The singer has spent decades performing for audiences around the world, making the possibility of returning to the stage an important part of his current health journey.

For now, his focus remains on further evaluation and following medical advice. His comments do not establish whether or when he will be able to perform again, and any return will depend on the results of additional assessments.

Joel’s update follows his 2025 diagnosis and subsequent shunt surgery in September 2026, marking another significant development in his ongoing treatment.

Billy Joel’s Health Update Raises Questions About His Musical Future

Joel’s latest comments offer a glimpse into how his condition is affecting both his personal interests and his career. While the decision to sell his motorcycles represents a change to a long-standing passion, his inability to perform has placed his future onstage in question.

The six-time Grammy winner has not ruled out performing again. However, he has made clear that further testing and medical guidance will determine whether returning to the demands of live music is possible.

For fans, the hope remains that Joel’s treatment and recovery will allow him to continue pursuing the activities he loves, even as he adjusts to the limitations imposed by his current health condition.