Iconic Singer Barry Manilow Will Have a Procedure for a Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

Barry Manilow announced that he was diagnosed with cancer of the lung and will undergo surgery.

Early-Stage Diagnosis

The octogenarian performer, whose parade of high-spirited hits from "Copacabana" has made him one of pop music’s enduringly popular performers, will have surgery to extract a portion of his lung in an effort to treat the disease, which is at an early phase.

“As my fans are aware, I recently suffered from six weeks of a bronchial infection followed by a relapse of another five weeks.

“Despite the fact that I was past the infection and back on stage for my residency, my attentive medical team insisted on an MRI just to make sure that there were no issues.

“The MRI discovered a malignant lesion on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s incredible chance (and a skilled doctor) that it was found so early.”

Rescheduled Shows

He has postponed a series of planned concerts, but suggested he would be back on stage by the February holiday for his enduring residency in Las Vegas.

He added: “The medical team do not believe it has metastasized and I’m undergoing further tests to confirm their diagnosis. So, that’s it. Chemo is not needed. No radiation. Just rest and recuperation and favorite shows.

“I’m eagerly awaiting until I come back to my familiar venue at the Westgate Las Vegas for our Valentine’s weekend concerts.”

A Long Career and Personal Life

Manilow is now in the 16th year of a concert series at the Westgate Las Vegas. The singer has been in the public eye and publicly identified as gay in 2017, after marrying his partner of many years, Garry Kief confidentially in 2014.

The duo were in a clandestine relationship for more than 35 years. In 2023, Manilow reflected on how crucial his partner had been to him during his ascent to stardom in the 1970s.

“As my career exploded, it was just hectic. And, you know, returning to an empty hotel room, you can land in a lot of problems if you, you know, you’re by yourself night after night,” he said.

“But I encountered my future husband right around when it was exploding. And I didn’t have to go back to those empty hotel rooms. I had a person to share sorrows with or to enjoy success with.

“I desire that young people don’t have to go back to those hotel rooms by themselves, because you can make poor choices. I never did. But it was pretty lonely until I met Garry. And then it was a shared adventure.”