Barry Manilow‘s fans suffer another crushing blow!
The singer seemingly shelved another performance for the second time this year, months after he postponed a few dates to focus on addressing his lung cancer diagnosis.
Barry Manilow revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer in late 2025 after his doctor ordered an MRI after dealing with a lengthy episode of bronchitis.
5The songwriter shocked his fans by canceling his Tuesday night concert in Lexington. The announcement was made via X minutes before he was billed to take the stage at Rupp Arena, and he did not give a reason for the sudden rescheduling.
The Lexington show was postponed back in March when it was originally scheduled amid his recovery from surgery for his lung cancer. Rupp Arena has since assured ticket buyers that all previously purchased tickets will remain valid for the newly announced dates.
Page Six reported that a significant number of tickets for the standard package were still on sale, ranging from $39 to $578, while fan club tickets had sold out on Tuesday, August 4. Manilow is, however, expected to appear in Cincinnati, Ohio, for another leg of performances on Wednesday, August 5.
The ‘Could It Be Magic’ Hitmaker Was Uncertain About Regaining His Voice Post-Surgery
5As shared by The Blast in early June, Manilow disclosed that his stage one cancer surgery was successful, but he harbored one concerning fear about the state of his vocals.
The singer shared that his left lung was taken out during the surgery, and he got to realize just how it may impact his career during his first soundcheck after his surgery.
Manilow was billed to open his first stadium show on June 25, ahead of his Las Vegas residency, which was slated for July. He confessed that his voice felt so unfamiliar, and that realization left him at a crossroads about whether to return to performing or move on.
“That is really upsetting. Because I don’t want it to stop,” the star noted, as he admitted that edging so close to losing a voice everyone once treasured made him value the richness of his tone differently.
To address his diagnosis, Manilow revealed that he did not go through chemotherapy or radiation, as medics confirmed it was an early-stage tumor, which was sorted by a successful procedure.
Barry Manilow Did Not Have Smooth Sailing During Surgery Recovery
5The performer shared that his cancer was discovered after his doctor decided to conduct more tests into his six-week battle with bronchitis, which led him straight to the roots of his health issues. He revealed that his team of doctors saw the spot on his lungs and, in their urgency, called for a surgical procedure almost instantly.
As soon as the process was done, Manilow headed into recovery, which totally left a not-so-great taste on his tongue as he had to deal with pneumonia. This interference in his health landed him in the intensive care unit, and he spent most of his time there wondering if he would make it out alive.
He also did a lot of introspection about his music and its effect on people over the years, wondering if he had made people happy. Manilow’s experience with the kind medical staff who tended to him in recovery also gave him hope that there is so much good in the world.
Throughout his career, Manilow has recorded and released over 51 chart-topping singles, including 13 number-one hits, and 13 platinum and 6 multi-platinum albums. The singer has sold over 85 million records worldwide as a solo artist, earning him a spot on the list of the world’s best-selling artists.
The 83-Year-Old Chose Healing Over Comeback Post Cancer Surgery
5USA Today shared earlier in the year that Manilow announced in an Instagram post that he has decided to reschedule all performances from February through mid-March. He explained that despite maintaining a regular wellness routine ahead of an early-stage return, he still found it hard to sustain notes without taking breaks.
The singer added that, while he received a positive update from his doctor about his recovery, his doctor sternly warned him against considering a 90-minute performance. Although he was disappointed, the singer agreed that a quick comeback could jeopardize the pace of his recovery.
The music producer expressed optimism about returning to his Las Vegas residency later in March and early April, while profusely apologizing for the additional postponements and promising that his comeback would be worth it.
Barry Manilow Uncovered A New Purpose In Being A Grandfather Before His Health Episode
5The music producer had been riding high after welcoming his first grandchild a few years before his lung cancer surgery. The Blast shared that the singer confessed that he never imagined stepping into fatherhood, but watching his granddaughter grow has been an experience of a lifetime.
Manilow stepped into grandfatherhood after his husband’s daughter Kirsten Kief welcomed a baby girl into the family via adoption. The family milestone came during a memorable year for the entertainer, who broke Elvis Presley’s long-standing record for the most performances at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.
The award-winning singer shared that his late stepfather opened his eyes to the positive side of family and music via his extensive record collection. Manilow has also helped raise Kirsten from the tender age of two, remaining a significant part of her life.
Manilow and his husband cum longtime manager Garry Kief have been together for more than 4 decades. They discreetly tied the knot in 2014 during an intimate ceremony attended by around 30 guests.