Music Legend Barry Manilow Scheduled for Surgery for a Lung Cancer Diagnosis.
The singer has disclosed that he was diagnosed with cancer of the lung and is set to have surgery.
Spot Found in Initial Phase
The octogenarian performer, whose parade of high-spirited hits from "Copacabana" cemented his status as one of pop music’s cherished showmen, will have an operation to remove part of his lung in an effort to combat the illness, which is detected early.
“As my fans are aware, I recently suffered from six weeks of a bronchial infection 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 requested an MRI just to be certain that there were no issues.
“The MRI discovered a malignant lesion on my lung that must be removed. It’s sheer fortune (and a great doctor) that it was found so early.”
Concert Delays
He has delayed a string of planned shows, but stated he would be back on stage by mid-February for his longstanding concert series at his Vegas home.
He went on to say: “The physicians do not believe it has traveled and I’m taking tests to verify their assessment. So, that’s it. Chemo is not needed. Radiation therapy is off the table. Just rest and recuperation and I Love Lucy reruns.
“I’m eagerly awaiting until I return to my familiar venue for our Vegas run for our special weekend performances.”
A Long Career and Personal Life
Manilow is presently in his 16th year of a residency on the Las Vegas Strip. The singer has enjoyed a career spanning many years in the spotlight and came out as gay in 2017, after marrying his partner of many years, Garry Kief privately in 2014.
The duo were in a private relationship for over 35 years. In 2023, Manilow discussed how vital his partner had been to him during his explosion in popularity in the 1970s.
“As my career exploded, it was just crazy. And, you know, coming home to an lonesome hotel suite, you can land in a lot of problems if you, you know, you’re alone night after night,” he said.
“But I met Garry right around when it was exploding. And I didn’t have to go back to those lonesome rooms. I had a partner to be vulnerable with or to share joys with.
“I desire that newcomers today don’t have to go back to those suites by themselves, because you might succumb to pitfalls. I never did. But it was quite isolating until I met Garry. And then it was fun.”