Singer plans surgery, postpones January tour dates
Barry Manilow announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and will undergo surgery later this month to remove a cancerous spot on his lung.
The 82-year-old singer shared the news in a statement posted to social media, saying doctors expect a full recovery and that chemotherapy or radiation will not be needed.
Cancer Found After Illness
Manilow said the cancer was discovered after his doctor ordered extensive medical imaging following a prolonged case of bronchitis. The scan revealed a tumor on his left lung that doctors believe is contained and has not spread.
Surgery Planned
The singer said he will undergo surgery in late December and plans to recover at home. He added that the early detection allowed doctors to avoid more aggressive treatments.
Manilow struck a lighthearted tone in his message, joking that his recovery plan includes “chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.” He also encouraged fans to see a doctor if they notice lingering health issues.
Despite the singer’s prognosis, a friend warned The U.S. Sun that the full picture is less rosy and that he may never sing again:
His statement was posted early in the morning with a source close to Barry now telling The U.S. Sun: “Its awful. Its bad. I’m not sure he will sing again.”
Barry wrote, “As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks.
“Even though I was over the bronchitis and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK.
“The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that is was found so early.
In 2020, Manilow revealed he had been diagnosed with throat cancer, a condition he said was successfully treated through early detection and medical care.
He has also spoken candidly about his long history of smoking, which began at a young age. In a 2012 interview, Manilow said he started smoking at age 9 while growing up in Brooklyn and continued the habit for decades.
After quitting for roughly 15 to 20 years, Manilow said the urge returned during a stop in Las Vegas, when a casual night out with his band led him to accept a cigarette. He said the habit quickly resumed, though not at the same intensity as before.
At his peak, Manilow said he smoked as many as three packs of unfiltered cigarettes a day, describing himself as an avid smoker.
Tour Dates Postponed
Because of the surgery and recovery period, Manilow has postponed several January concerts scheduled in Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia and Ohio.
Those shows have been rescheduled for February and later in 2026. His team said Manilow expects to return to the stage during Valentine’s weekend in Las Vegas.
A Career Spanning Decades
Manilow is one of the most successful recording artists of the last half-century, with hits including “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” and “Can’t Smile Without You.” His career has spanned more than 60 years across music, film, Broadway, and television.
He publicly came out as gay in 2017 and is married to his longtime partner and manager, Garry Kief.
Following the announcement, fans and fellow musicians flooded social media with messages of support, underscoring Manilow’s lasting influence across generations of listeners.
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Prayers for him and his family.