With a career spanning more than six decades, Barry Manilow He is one of the most emblematic figures in pop music. Known worldwide for hits like “Copacabana” and “Mandy”, the 82-year-old singer and composer still continues to tour with his hits on stages around the world. This Monday, the artist took to his social networks to share sad news: as reported, He was diagnosed with lung cancer and must urgently undergo surgery.
After explaining that the lesion in his left lung was found by chance after a series of respiratory episodes, the musician revealed that – thanks to its early detection – he should not receive chemotherapy or rays. “As many of you know, recently I went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks. Although I had already overcome bronchitis and was back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure everything was fine,” he told his followers on his Instagram account.
“The MRI discovered a cancerous spot in my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was caught so early. That’s the good news,” he reflected. “The bad news is that now that the Christmas Gift Of Love concerts are over, I’m going to have surgery. The doctors do not believe it has spread and I am undergoing tests to confirm the diagnosis.. So that’s it. No chemotherapy. No radiotherapy. Just chicken soup and repeats I love Lucy”, he joked, implying that he should retire from the stage for a while.
The singer had planned a tour of the United States, which included cities such as Orlando, Tampa, Charleston, Greensboro and Columbus, during January 2026; something that undoubtedly had to be postponed at least until February. “The only deadline is a month of recovery, which means we will have to reschedule the January concerts in stadiums… I am very sorry that you have to change your plans,” he wrote distressed. “Something tells me that February is going to be a big holiday… I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and remember, if you have even the slightest symptom, get tested!”he concluded trying to raise awareness among his followers.
It is not the first time that Barry Manilow has gone through a major health problem. Problems with his vocal cords, throat cancer, a tumor in his mouth, heart problems, hip surgery and multiple bronchial infections have made him news over the years.
Also, the artist has spoken about his addiction to tobacco (something that began when he was nine years old) on more than one occasion. “I smoked for 30 years, I started when I was nine. Then I quit about 15 or 20 years ago until the band and I went to a small club in Las Vegas, someone offered me a cigarette and I came back. I didn’t smoke a pack a day because When I was a real smoker I smoked three packs a day, without a filter.”, he confessed in an article with the London Evening Standard in 2012.
About a decade ago, Manilow switched from smoking cigarettes to vaping. “Do they work? Yes for me, my band and my team, for all of us who hated smoking but couldn’t quit,” he warned while declaring that his love for music and acting is what keeps him going.
