NEWS
Billy Joel has announced the cancellation of 17 shows he booked at stadiums across North America and England, due to his recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).
In a statement, Joel and his team said the condition had been exacerbated by recent concert performances, “leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.” Under his doctor’s orders, Joel is said to be undergoing “specific physical therapy” and has been advised to stop performing while he recovers
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience,” said Joel. “Thank you for understanding.”
NPH is a brain disorder when there is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in an area in the center of the brain. According to the Hydrocephalus Association, the disorder can affect areas of the brain related to walking, thinking and bladder control.
In Friday’s statement, Joel and his team conclude with gratitude for fans and the note that Joel “looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.” Information on ticket refunds is also included, with refunds automatically being processed back to the original payment used for the purchase.
Back in March, Joel postponed eight stadium concerts he was scheduled to do through July, citing an undisclosed “medical condition” and saying that his “health must come first.” It remains unconfirmed if NPH is the same condition that caused those initial cancellations.
At the time, the announcement said Joel was “expected to make a full recovery” after a recent surgery, and was undergoing doctor-supervised physical therapy.
NEWS
A$AP Rocky has revealed that it took years of persistence before Tim Burton agreed to create the cover artwork for his upcoming album, Don’t Be Dumb. The rapper reflected on how the unlikely collaboration finally came together during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday.
Going into detail about the process, Rocky confessed that he “basically had to stalk and harass him for a few years” before things clicked. He explained, “I reached out and told him I would love to hang out, play him some vibes and just connect. I ended up going to Malibu while he was on a break, and he was feeling it. I played him an early version of the album and he really liked it. That’s when I asked, ‘Do you think you might want to do the illustration for this?’ He was open to it, but then suddenly he had Wednesday and Beetlejuice 2 going on. I realized this was going to take a lot longer than I thought.”
A$AP Rocky went on to describe a moment that really stuck with him during that visit. “While I was there, I noticed a sketch sitting on the table and asked if he drew it,” he said. “He told me that every morning he and his daughter work on drawings together. He starts one, then she comes in and finishes it or changes it. It’s something they practice daily. I saw it as their bond, and to me, that felt priceless.”
On Tuesday, A$AP Rocky also released a double music video for his tracks “WHISKEY” and “BLACK DEMARCO.” Tim Burton appears in the visual and contributed multiple illustrations that tie into the project.
Alongside the release of the “WHISKEY” and “BLACK DEMARCO” video, Rocky officially unveiled the Don’t Be Dumb World Tour. The run will include 42 dates across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom, with shows scheduled throughout 2026.
