Barry Manilow to Undergo an Operation for Lung Cancer.
Barry Manilow announced that he was diagnosed with lung cancer and is set to have a surgical procedure.
Early-Stage Diagnosis
The octogenarian performer, whose parade of upbeat chart-toppers from "Copacabana" cemented his status as one of pop music’s cherished entertainers, will have an operation to extract a portion of his lung in an effort to treat the illness, which is in its early stages.
“For those who have been following, I recently suffered from six weeks of a bronchial infection followed by a recurrence of another five weeks.
“Even though I was past the infection and back on stage in Las Vegas, my excellent physician insisted on an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK.
“The MRI discovered a tumor on my lung that requires removed. It’s pure luck (and a fantastic physician) that it was found so early.”
Rescheduled Shows
He has delayed a number of forthcoming concerts, but indicated he would be on stage again by the February holiday for his enduring residency at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.
He added: “The medical team do not believe it has traveled and I’m having examinations to support their conclusion. So, that’s it. No chemotherapy. No radiation. Just rest and recuperation and I Love Lucy reruns.
“I’m eagerly awaiting until I return to my home away from home for our Vegas run for our special weekend performances.”
A Long Career and Personal Life
Manilow is now in the 16th year of a residency on the Las Vegas Strip. The singer has spent decades in the spotlight and publicly identified as gay in 2017, after tying the knot with his manager and long-term partner privately in 2014.
The pair were in a clandestine romance for more than 35 years. In 2023, Manilow reflected on how crucial Kief had been to him during his explosion in popularity in the 1970s.
“When my fame skyrocketed, it was just overwhelming. And, you know, returning to an empty hotel room, you can get into a lot of trouble if you, you know, you’re by yourself repeatedly,” he said.
“But I met Garry right around when it was taking off. And I was spared from having to go back to those lonesome rooms. I had a person to share sorrows with or to share joys with.
“I hope that young people don’t have to go back to those suites by themselves, because you might succumb to pitfalls. I never did. But it was pretty lonely until I met Garry. And then it was joyful.”
