Barry Manilow's upcoming concerts may come with unexpected adjustments. After a difficult doctor's appointment, the music legend shared an emotional message that hinted at a possible shift in his performance plans.
Barry Manilow addressed fans on February 20, 2026 with a deeply personal message about his health, saying a recent visit to his surgeon left him confronting an unforeseen hurdle ahead of his planned return to the stage.
Describing the appointment as "very depressing," the legendary performer hinted that a pivotal conversation may now alter his immediate plans.
The Doctor's Warning That Stopped the Show
In his candid Instagram statement, Manilow shared details of the conversation that led him to make a difficult decision.
"Just got home from visiting the surgeon," he began. Despite using the treadmill three times a day, he admitted he still couldn't sing more than three songs in a row without stopping.
Believing he could power through his upcoming arena shows, Manilow told his doctor he'd be ready. But the surgeon wasn't convinced.
"Barry, you won't be ready to do a 90 minute show. Your lungs aren't ready yet... You won't make it through," the doctor said in Manilow's post.
With that, the 82-year-old performer acknowledged he had to make a change. He rescheduled his first batch of arena shows from February 27 through March 17.
Still, there is cautious optimism. Manilow shared that his Las Vegas dates at the end of March, along with additional arena shows in April, may still move forward.
And then came the most striking admission: "The doctor said that my body had been through hell and that it needed time to heal." For now, Manilow says he's focusing on recovery, while promising fans, "I will COME BACK!!!"
But that difficult decision did not come out of nowhere.
A Promising Recovery Update
Earlier in the month, on February 5, Manilow shared encouraging news following surgery, telling fans that he was recovering well. He also said he had already resumed light exercise and spent some time back in the studio.
However, under his doctor's guidance, he postponed his Westgate Las Vegas residency dates from February 12–21 to stay focused on healing ahead of the tour.
He added that his doctor advised him to take a few extra weeks to rest and prepare, and confirmed that tickets for the postponed dates would be refunded. The tone was hopeful, but it followed weeks of uncertainty. And that uncertainty began even earlier.
A Glimpse from the Hospital
The public journey began in January 2026, shortly after Manilow revealed that doctors had discovered a cancerous spot on his left lung following weeks of bronchitis.
At the time, he shared a photo of himself in a hospital gown and reassured fans that he was already feeling better.
Manilow's latest health setback comes after an already challenging stretch behind the scenes, detailed in an earlier message to fans.
As previously reported, after completing a series of holiday charity performances in California, Manilow shared an emotional message, revealing that a prolonged illness ultimately led doctors to uncover a far more serious condition.
What Happened Behind the Scenes
In a December 2025 post shared on Instagram, Manilow said he and his team had just wrapped five Christmas concerts at the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert, marking the seventh year the shows had raised millions for nonprofit organizations across the Coachella Valley.
"As many of you know, I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks," he wrote, revealing that he had been very sick for an extended period even as he returned to the stage at the Westgate Las Vegas.
Though the bronchitis eventually cleared, Manilow's physician ordered further testing.
"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 said.
That precaution changed everything.
The Diagnosis
Manilow said the additional imaging revealed something unexpected.
"The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed," he wrote, adding that the discovery came down to "pure luck (and a great doctor)" because it was found early.
Doctors, he said, do not believe the cancer has spread, and additional tests are underway to confirm that assessment. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States, underscoring the importance of early detection.
What Comes Next
Now that the holiday concerts have concluded, Manilow said he is preparing to undergo surgery to have the spot removed.
"So, that's it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and "I Love Lucy" reruns," he wrote.
The surgery will require about a month of recovery time, prompting the rescheduling of his January arena concerts. Ticket holders can use their existing tickets for the new dates.
Beyond the Diagnosis: A Life in Music and Love
Born Barry Alan Pincus in Brooklyn in 1943, the singer rose to fame in the 1970s and became one of the most successful pop artists of his era. His top songs include "Copacabana (At the Copa)," "Mandy," and "Can't Smile Without You".
In a 2017 interview with People, Manilow spoke candidly about his fiercely private nature, his decades-long relationship with manager Garry Kief, and his belief that coming out later in life ultimately strengthened his bond with fans. "I'm so private. I always have been," he said at the time.
Manilow and Kief married in an intimate ceremony at their Palm Springs estate in April 2014, a moment he later described as unexpectedly emotional. Still, Barry has said the decision to marry was less about changing their relationship than formalizing what already existed.
"We've been married all these years. It's just that it became legal," he said. The singer was previously married to his high school sweetheart, Susan Deixler, for one year before they split. "I was in love with Susan … I wasn't ready to settle down," he added, maintaining that he was not struggling with his sexuality at the time.
Reflecting on the practical side of the decision, Manilow explained, "We took a look at our wills and made sure that everything is in proper order. Getting married was the right thing to do."
In 2015, news of Manilow's marriage and his sexuality made headlines worldwide, a moment the music legend later described as "a blessing and a curse."
Reflecting on why he remained private for so long, Manilow explained that his hesitation stemmed from concern for the fans who had supported him for decades. "I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So I never did anything," he said in the same publication.
The response, however, was far different from what he had feared. "When they found out that Garry and I were together, they were so happy," Manilow recalled. "The reaction was so beautiful — strangers commenting, 'Great for you!' I'm just so grateful for it."
The experience, he has said, ultimately strengthened his connection with fans and reaffirmed the decision to live more openly later in life, even as he continued to guard his privacy closely.
Comments
Post a Comment