Music legend Barry Manilow has revealed that he’s been diagnosed with lung cancer, forcing him to postpone his January tour dates as he focuses on treatment.
But singer, known worldwide for hits like Mandy, Copacabana, and Somewhere Down the Road, won’t undergo chemotherapy or radiation.
Ordered an MRI
In late December, Barry Manilow shared that he has lung caner.
The 82-year-old explained that the diagnosis came after a long battle with bronchitis. “As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks,” Manilow wrote. “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 scan revealed a “cancerous spot” on his left lung. “It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early. That’s the good news,” he said.
The star reassured fans that chemotherapy and radiation will not be part of his treatment.
“The bad news is that now that the Christmas Gift Of Love concerts are over I’m going into surgery to have the spot removed. 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.”
New update
Manilow’s arena tour, originally set for January 2026 across nine U.S. cities, has been rescheduled to late February through April.
The shows will still honor all original tickets. He also confirmed that his Valentine’s weekend concerts at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino — his “home away from home” — will go on as planned.
“Something tells me February is going to be one big party,” Manilow wrote, adding a heartfelt reminder to fans: “I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and remember, if you even have the slightest symptom, get tested!”
On Friday (Jan. 2), the Copacabana singer posted an uplifting update on Instagram, sharing a smiling selfie taken in what looks like a hospital bed while wearing a gown. A gray text bubble in the image reads, “Better today!”
Smoked for 30 years
This isn’t the first time health challenges have impacted Manilow’s career.
In 2022, he tested positive for COVID-19 just hours before the opening night of his stage musical Harmony. The setback was devastating, but he encouraged fans to attend the performance in his place, emphasizing the resilience of live audiences.
Reflecting on his longevity, the 82-year-old Manilow shared in a 2023 interview that he has no intention of slowing down.
“I think of people who are 80… they look older than I do. They’re retired. You know, that ain’t me,” he said. “I’m just getting started. Staying busy keeps me feeling sharp and energized. You stay young if you keep working… your brain stays working.”
Even as he faces surgery, Manilow remains focused on the music and performances that have defined his life.
“I’m still healthy. I’m strong and I’ve still got my voice and my energy. The night I can’t hit the F natural on Even Now, that’s the night I throw in the towel. But I can still do it.”
Lung cancer, a disease for which cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor, according to the CDC. Barry Manilow has been candid about his decades-long relationship with smoking.
“I smoked for 30 years. I started when I was 9 years old,” the singer told The Standard in 2012, revealing that he later quit before starting the habit again.
Manilow eventually shifted to vaping.
Fans rally around the star
Since sharing the news, fans have flooded his social media with messages of love and support.
One wrote, “You even make that hospital gown look fine! 😉🥰 Be well! ❤️” Another encouraged, “Keep healing, Barry… You can do it. God is good all the time.”
Through decades of hits, sold-out shows, and life’s ups and downs, Barry Manilow has always been a performer who connects deeply with his fans. Now, as he faces this personal health challenge, the world is cheering him on every step of the way. We’re Praying for your recovery, Barry!
