Quick Info
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, pianist, composer |
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| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 09/05/1949 |
| Age | 77 years |
| Birthplace | The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
Latest News about William Martin Joel
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Billy Joel said his neurologist has told him he is not allowed to drive or perform while he recovers from normal pressure hydrocephalus. He said he is unsure whether he will perform again and must first complete a series of medical tests. The interview came ahead of a November auction of more than 70 motorcycles from his personal collection.
On a call-in appearance on his SiriusXM channel, Billy Joel gave fans a health update after revealing earlier in September that he had undergone brain surgery. He said he is doing well and described the condition as sounding much worse than it actually is. The surgery aimed to relieve symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus, a disorder he was diagnosed with in 2025.
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Bio/Wiki
| Overview | American singer, songwriter and pianist, nicknamed the Piano Man after his signature 1973 song, with a career spanning more than five decades. |
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| Origin | Raised in Levittown and Hicksville, Long Island, New York |
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Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
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Educational Qualification(s)
| Schooling | Hicksville High School, where he left before graduating to pursue music full-time |
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| Training | Classically trained pianist from childhood |
Personal Life
| Birth name | William Martin Joel |
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| Early life | Began piano lessons young and took up boxing as a teenager, fighting for a time before turning to music |
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| Health | Diagnosed in 2025 with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH); underwent brain surgery in 2026 to place a shunt; in October 2026 said he is not allowed to drive or perform for now and is awaiting further tests |
Relationships & More
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Family
| Father | Howard Joel |
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| Mother | Rosalind Joel |
| Sister | Judy Joel |
| Half-brother | Alexander Joel |
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Career
| Debut album | Cold Spring Harbor (1971) |
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| Breakthrough album | The Stranger (1977) |
| Signature song | Piano Man (1973) |
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| Final studio album of pop/rock era | River of Dreams (1993) |
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| Sales | Among the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 150 million records sold worldwide |
| Tour status | Concerts were cancelled after his 2025 NPH diagnosis; in October 2026 he said he is unsure whether he will tour again |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Was a boxer as a teenager and reportedly fought 22 bouts before his nose was broken | |
| 2. Joined a band called The Echoes as a teenager and played piano on several 1960s session recordings | |
| 3. His daughter Alexa Ray Joel was named after the pianist Ray Charles |
Social Media