Barry Manilow has announced that he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
“We just finished five great Christmas concerts at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert,” Manilow, 82, began a statement shared via Instagram on Monday, December 22. “This marks the seventh time we have done these charity concerts and raised millions for nonprofit organizations throughout the Coachella Valley. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets and celebrated these wonderful charities.”
The “Mandy” singer then shared the news of his diagnosis.
“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,” he wrote. “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.”
Manilow added that he will be undergoing surgery to “have the spot removed” now that the Christmas dates for his A Gift of Love concert series have concluded.
“The doctors do not believe it has spread, and I’m taking tests to confirm their diagnosis. So, that’s it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns,” he continued.
Barry Manilow Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Additionally, Manilow said he will need “a month to recover” after his surgery, which means he will need to reschedule his upcoming January shows. (The musician had been scheduled to perform in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Ohio next month.)
“I’m very sorry that you have to change your plans,” he wrote. “Just like you, we were all looking forward to the January shows and hate having to move everything around.”
Manilow noted that he is “counting the days” until he can return to the Westgate Las Vegas for his Valentine’s Day weekend concerts on February 12-14 and “throughout 2026.”
“Something tells me that February weekend is going to be one big party!” he teased.
Manilow concluded, “I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. And remember, if you have even the slightest symptom … get tested! I’ll see you at the Westgate Las Vegas for Valentine’s!”
Manilow’s January shows have been rescheduled for February 27 through April 29. Those who had tickets to the January concerts will be able to use their tickets for the rescheduled dates.
Manilow, whose career spans more than 60 years and includes hits like “Mandy,” “Copacabana” and “I Write the Songs,” previously battled throat cancer in 2020. The cancer was detected early and successfully treated.
In addition to his cancer battles, Manilow, who has a history of cigarette smoking and vaping, has dealt with bronchial pneumonia, a mouth tumor, heart problems and hip surgery.
“I’m fine, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m very old, I should not be able to do this,” he told the Daily Mirror in 2019. “You saw me going up those stairs on stage — there’s 14 steps up and 14 down, you would think I should be in a wheelchair or something.”
