Barry Manilow has announced he is postponing his January concert dates after doctors discovered cancerous spots on one of his lungs, with the singer confirming he will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.
The 82-year-old Grammy-winning performer shared the update with fans on Monday, December 22, revealing that the cancer was found during routine scans following a prolonged bout of illness. According to Manilow, the discovery was made early and doctors are confident the cancer has not spread.
In a statement posted to social media, the singer explained that he had recently endured six weeks of bronchitis, followed by a five-week relapse, despite continuing to perform live at Westgate Las Vegas. As a precaution, his doctor ordered further tests.
“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,” Manilow said. “The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early. That’s the good news.”
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With his Christmas shows now completed, Manilow confirmed he is preparing for surgery and further tests to confirm the diagnosis. “The doctors do not believe it has spread and I’m taking tests to confirm their diagnosis,” he added. “So, that’s it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.”
As a result, the singer said he has made the difficult decision to postpone his January performances, apologising to fans who had planned to attend. He confirmed, however, that he is optimistic about returning to the stage for his Valentine’s weekend concerts at Westgate Las Vegas on February 12, 13 and 14, with further shows scheduled throughout 2026.
“In the meantime, I’m counting the days until I return to my home away from home at the Westgate Las Vegas for our Valentine’s weekend concerts on February 12-13-14 and throughout 2026,” he wrote. “Something tells me that February weekend is going to be one big party!”
Barry Manilow is one of the most successful recording artists of all time, with a career spanning more than five decades. He is best known for hits including ‘Mandy’, ‘Copacabana (At the Copa)’, ‘Can’t Smile Without You’ and ‘Looks Like We Made It’, and has scored three Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles. His music has sold tens of millions of records worldwide, and his long-running Las Vegas residency has cemented his status as a live entertainment icon.
In closing his message, Manilow urged fans to prioritise their health. “I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year,” he wrote. “And remember, if you have even the slightest symptom… get tested!”
The singer’s team has confirmed that ticketholders for the postponed January shows will be contacted directly regarding rescheduled dates.
