Barry Manilow, the iconic singer known for his timeless hits, recently shared some updates about his health on his Instagram story. The 82-year-old artist revealed that he was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer last December after an MRI scan detected a spot on his left lung. He underwent a successful lobe-removal surgery, which resulted in him being declared cancer-free. However, due to his ongoing recovery, he had to reschedule several of his shows planned for the first three months of 2026.
One of these shows was his Las Vegas residency titled Manilow: The Hits Come Home!, which was set to take place at the International Theater at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Originally scheduled to start next Thursday, the singer announced on Instagram that he is “not quite ready for Vegas.”
“I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I’m making great progress and look great! All the training and exercising I’ve put in is paying off,” the message read. “He did say, however, that I’m not quite ready for Vegas. This means I won’t be able to return for our May shows at Westgate Las Vegas.”
The Westgate Las Vegas is a special place for Manilow, as it’s his home away from home. He concluded his post by stating that he will see his fans in July, providing a timeline for those expecting to see him perform. Additionally, he mentioned that he should be ready for his upcoming shows in the United Kingdom this June. “It’s going to be great to see you all in the UK,” he added.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
According to reports, Manilow first visited the doctor in November due to hip pain. The doctor ordered an MRI for his pelvis, but when he learned that the singer had recently battled bronchitis, he also requested an MRI for his lungs.
“If he hadn’t done that, man… He saved my life, because there’s no symptoms for what I had. I could go on, nothing hurt — but they found the dot in my lung,” Manilow told the publication.
A month later, he underwent the procedure and spent a week in the ICU. As of now, he is cancer-free, but still on his road to recovery.
“It has really, really made me take stock of my life. This made me stop and think about: Have I done what I wanted to do, and have I made people happy? Have I been a good friend? All of those cornball things that I’ve read for all of my life, I started to think about that, too. It really did stop me in my tracks,” he said in his cover story in March. “And the answers are yes. And as a matter of fact, there are more yeses than I ever thought.”
A Legacy in Music
Manilow began his professional music career in 1964 when CBS director Bro Herrod asked him to arrange some songs for a musical adaptation of the drama The Drunkard. At the time, Manilow was 21 years old, and instead of just arranging songs, he wrote an entire score. He then started working as a jingle writer and singer throughout the 1960s.
In 1973, he released his self-titled debut album through Bell / Arista Records, which peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard 200. Since then, he has released more than 30 studio albums, with a new one titled What a Time set for release on June 5, his first since February 2020.
Manilow has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including two Emmy Awards, a Tony, three American Music Awards, and a Grammy for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance for his hit song “Copacabana.” He also holds a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is honored at the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, and has received a Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award.
Upcoming Shows and Fan Updates
The first show for his upcoming Manilow: The Hits Come Home! Las Vegas residency is expected to kick off on July 9, with multiple shows taking place until October. Tickets for the upcoming residency can be purchased on Manilow’s official website.
Fans can look forward to seeing the legendary performer return to the stage, continuing to share his music and stories with audiences around the world.
