Billy Joel has been told by doctors that he can no longer drive and is forbidden from performing on stage, as each show is equivalent to a concussion on his brain. The singer, known for hits such as Piano Man and We Didn't Start The Fire, sought professional help from a neurologist and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus.
Joel told The Hollywood Reporter: "I can't drive right now. I'm not allowed to drive. What the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you're getting a concussion."
Health condition explained
He explained that extreme sound volume, lighting, stress and energy have affected his health: "I have this thing called hydrocephalus. It used to be called water on the brain, so it affects your balance, it affects your memory, it affects your vision, your hearing, but I’m OK."
The singer reassured fans about his condition, saying: "They call it a brain disorder, but it’s not that serious. It's just something that affects your balance mostly."
Motorbike collection auction
Joel also opened up about his decision to auction off his motorbike collection: "I ended up having over a hundred motorcycles, and the truth is you can only ride one at a time."
"I’m into my 70s now, and I realised I can’t ride as much as I used to."
"I don’t want to die like a bug on a windshield. So I thought I’d put a lot of them on auction."
He expressed his fondness for the collection: "I like all of them. I like Japanese bikes. I like Italian bikes. I like English bikes. I like American bikes. I like Asian bikes. I like them all."
Joel added: "My crown jewel is a Moto Guzzi California Vintage 1100. You have the helmet on; you’ve got goggles on."
"Nobody knows who you are. Just another schmuck on a motorcycle."
