The “Piano Man” announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Billy Joel’s daughter Alexa Ray gives health update amid singer’s brain disorder

The "Piano Man" announced in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

By Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American *Journalism Review* and *The Shreveport Times*.

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on March 12, 2026 6:19 p.m. ET

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Billy Joel and daughter Alexa Ray Joel. Credit:

Alexa Ray Joel/Instagram

Billy Joel's daughter Alexa Ray Joel says her dad is not taking his diagnosis with a brain disorder lightly.

"He's doing physical therapy regularly and he's doing great," Alexa Ray, the rocker's only child with ex-wife Christie Brinkley, told *The Hollywood Reporter* in a story published March 12. "He's lost weight as he's on his diet. I'm so proud of him. He's such a trooper, so resilient and committed to being healthy and proactive. He's a fighter. He's always been a fighter and talks in his documentary about how life's like a fight."

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The legendary singer, recently the subject of HBO's two-part, 2025 documentary *Billy Joel: And So It Goes*, canceled all upcoming tour dates when he revealed that he was dealing with normal pressure hydrocephalus. At the time, he said in a statement that his condition — which occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain — had been exacerbated by his performing and led to issues with his balance, vision, and hearing.

"Under his doctor's instructions," the statement read, "Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy 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."

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While he continues to focus on his health, musicians including Alexa Ray will take the stage in his honor at a tribute event, "The Music of Billy Joel," Thursday at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Wyclef Jean, Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas, Train's Pat Monahan, Rufus Wainwright, and others will sing some of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's many tunes from over the years, which include "Tell Her About It," "Vienna," and "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant."

Bill Joel and daughter Alexa Ray Joel in a throwback photo.

Alexa Ray Joel/Instagram

Billy himself, who's now 76, surprised the crowd at a concert by Turnstiles, a Billy Joel cover band, in January, when he joined them onstage to perform his songs "We Didn't Start the Fire" and "Big Shot."

The Grammy winner is also the father of daughters Della Rose, 10, and Remy Anne, 8, whom he shares with Alexis Roderick, his wife since 2015.

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