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Billy Joel says he wants to return to performing but does not know when—or whether—he will be able to do so. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he said further tests are needed and that neurologists have advised him not to perform for now.
Billy Joel says he does not know when he can perform again, because he must undergo further medical tests related to normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the singer-songwriter said he wants to return to the stage, but his doctors have advised him not to perform for now.
“I have to take a series of tests before I know,” Joel told The Hollywood Reporter when asked about performing again. He also said, “I can’t drive right now. I’m not allowed to drive.” The interview does not specify what tests he will take or when they will happen.
Joel described concerns raised by his neurologist about the physical demands of a concert. “What the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion,” he said. Joel also pointed to the volume, lighting, stress and audience energy involved in a live performance as potential difficulties while managing NPH.
“They said, ‘Well, you really shouldn’t be doing that right now,’” Joel said, referring to medical advice. He added that further testing is needed to assess whether he can resume performing. His comments do not establish that a return is medically ruled out, but they leave its timing and likelihood unresolved.
Medical Tests Hold the Key to Touring
Joel’s update leaves fans without a return date for one of popular music’s best-known live performers. The immediate issue is not a scheduled comeback but whether his health and medical assessments will allow him to perform at all. No date or performance plans were announced in the reported interview.
His remarks also give a clearer account of why a concert may pose concerns for him: he described the loud sound, bright lights and stress of performing, alongside his neurologist’s warning. Those comments explain the medical caution he says he has received, but they do not provide an independent diagnosis or a specific prognosis.
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Joel’s NPH Diagnosis and Canceled Shows
Joel disclosed his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus in 2025 after canceling a series of shows. NPH involves fluid accumulating in the brain’s ventricles and can be associated with problems including changes in hearing, vision and balance, according to the source report.
The latest interview follows those cancellations and Joel’s earlier account of his condition. It also arrives amid music-related projects: in late September 2026, Joel announced a Turnstiles 50th anniversary box set featuring 54 unreleased demos, rarities and live recordings. The source report also noted an upcoming Record Store Day Black Friday release, but neither project indicates that he is planning a return to the stage.
“I have to take a series of tests before I know.”
— Billy Joel, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter
No Prognosis or Return Date Yet
The outcome of Joel’s further tests is not known, and the interview provides no schedule for them. It also gives no medical timetable for reassessing his ability to perform, and no indication of when his driving restriction might change.
Joel’s account describes advice from his neurologist, but the available report does not include a statement from his medical team or additional clinical details. It remains unclear whether testing could lead to a return to live performances, whether any return would be limited, or whether he will need to remain offstage.
Further Testing Before Any Stage Return
The next reported step is the series of medical tests Joel said he must complete. He has not announced when that testing will take place or when he expects to discuss the results. Until there is an update from Joel or his representatives, there is no confirmed basis for predicting a return date.
For now, the status is that Joel wants to perform again but says he has been advised not to do so while his health is assessed. His anniversary box set and planned Record Store Day release are separate music projects; the source report does not link them to a concert announcement.
Key Questions
Does Billy Joel know when he will perform again?
No. Joel told The Hollywood Reporter that he must complete a series of tests before he knows whether he can return to performing. He did not give a timetable.
What health condition is Joel managing?
Joel disclosed in 2025 that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition involving fluid accumulation in the brain’s ventricles.
Why have neurologists advised him against performing?
Joel said his neurologist compared each show to “getting a concussion.” He also described the loud volume, lighting and stress of a concert as concerns. These points are Joel’s account of the medical advice he received.
Has Joel announced a new concert or tour?
No concert or tour date was announced in the reported interview. Joel said further testing is needed before he knows whether performing is possible.
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