Billy Joel says he cannot drive or perform right now as he continues treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). The restrictions have changed his plans for the motorcycle collection he built over decades.
The 77-year-old described his overall health as good in an Oct. 15 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He said further tests would help determine whether he could return to the stage, something he still wants to do.
Motorcycling had offered the singer a rare kind of privacy: with a helmet and goggles covering his face, he could share the road with drivers who had no idea they were passing the man behind “Piano Man.”
His collection eventually grew beyond 100 motorcycles. Discussing his favorites, he singled out a Moto Guzzi California Vintage 1100, Newsday reported.
Joel’s Treatment Has Included Surgery and Physical Therapy
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Joel publicly disclosed his NPH diagnosis on May 23, 2025, when his team canceled all scheduled concerts, including dates in 2026. The announcement said recent performances had aggravated his condition, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance, and that he would focus on rehabilitation.
NPH involves excess cerebrospinal fluid collecting in the brain’s ventricles, which can enlarge and press against nearby tissue. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, treatment can include a shunt that drains the fluid to another part of the body. The extent of improvement varies between patients.
In July 2025, he described the sensation to Bill Maher on the Club Random podcast: “My balance sucks. It’s like being on a boat,” TheWrap reported.
In September 2026, Joel revealed that he had undergone shunt surgery. Speaking on SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel, he said he had initially resisted the procedure before agreeing to it. His memory, balance and ability to function had improved afterward, ABC News reported. He has continued physical therapy.
During the October interview, Joel recalled his neurologist’s warning about concert work: “Every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion.” He described the combined demands of sound, lighting, audience energy and performance stress. He also said years of loud rock music had affected his hearing, according to Entertainment Weekly.
His last full concert before the hiatus took place Feb. 22, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. He later made a brief appearance with tribute band Turnstiles in Wellington, Florida, on Jan. 2, 2026, playing “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot,” JamBase reported.
More Than 70 Motorcycles Will Be Offered Without Reserve
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Gooding Christie’s will offer more than 70 motorcycles from Joel’s collection at its inaugural Rétromobile New York auctions on Nov. 20 and 21 at the Javits Center. Every bike will be offered without reserve, meaning the seller has not set a minimum sale price.
“I was not a collector. I was actually a rider,” Joel told THR, according to PEOPLE. He said his age was also a factor in the sale: he could no longer ride as much as he once had and worried about suffering a serious motorcycle accident.
For years, visitors could see many of the bikes at 20th Century Cycles, his motorcycle business in Oyster Bay, New York. The shop closed in September 2025. Its displays reflected his interest in riding, restoring and customizing motorcycles from different periods.
The auction spans major manufacturers including Ducati, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Triumph, Honda and Kawasaki.
A Custom Triumph Commemorates His Madison Square Garden Record
Among the featured bikes is a 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville given to Joel by Madison Square Garden to commemorate his 150th sold-out show there. That July 2024 performance also concluded his monthly residency at the arena.
The custom Triumph features piano-key artwork on its fuel tank and comes with a matching helmet listing his performances at the venue. The auction house estimates it will sell for $10,000 to $15,000.
A 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica carries an estimate of $15,000 to $25,000. The model commemorates the motorcycle Hailwood rode during his celebrated comeback victory at the 1978 Isle of Man races.
The sale also includes a restored 1975 Ducati 750 Sport, estimated at $25,000 to $35,000.
Joel Intends to Put the Proceeds Toward His Foundation
The auction house says Joel intends to use proceeds from the sale to support The Joel Foundation. Led by Billy and Alexis Joel, the organization funds music education and works with nonprofit partners on health, humanitarian and environmental initiatives.
A public preview begins at the Javits Center on Nov. 19. Admission requires a ticket to Rétromobile, while access to the auction room is limited to registered bidders, their guests and credentialed media.