Barry Manilow announced that he was diagnosed with a cancerous growth in his lung and will be having surgery.
The legendary 82-year-old artist, whose parade of high-spirited hits from "I Write the Songs" has made him one of pop music’s cherished showmen, will have surgery to remove part of his lung in an effort to treat the disease, which is in its early stages.
“As my fans are aware, I recently endured six weeks of a severe cough followed by a recurrence of another five weeks.
“Although I was over the bronchitis and performing again at the Westgate Las Vegas, my excellent physician ordered an MRI just to be certain that all was clear.
“The MRI identified a tumor on my left lung that requires removed. It’s incredible chance (and a skilled doctor) that it was caught so early.”
He has rescheduled a string of forthcoming shows, but stated he would be back on stage by Valentine’s Day for his longstanding engagement at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.
He continued: “The physicians do not believe it has traveled and I’m having examinations to confirm their diagnosis. So, that’s it. No chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is off the table. Just chicken soup and classic TV.
“I’m looking forward to until I return to my second home for our Vegas run for our February love-themed shows.”
Manilow is currently in the 16th year of a concert series at the Westgate Las Vegas. The singer has spent decades in the spotlight and revealed he is gay in 2017, after marrying his longtime partner and manager in secret in 2014.
The pair were in a private romance for in excess of 35 years. In 2023, Manilow discussed how crucial Kief had been to him during his rise to peak fame in the 1970s.
“When my fame skyrocketed, it was just overwhelming. And, you know, returning to an empty hotel room, you can find yourself in a lot of difficulty if you, you know, you’re alone night after night,” he said.
“But I found my partner right around when it was taking off. And I was spared from having to go back to those isolated suites. I had a person to cry with or to celebrate with.
“I hope that aspiring artists don’t have to go back to those rooms by themselves, because you can make poor choices. I never did. But it was very solitary until I met Garry. And then it was fun.”
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