Legendary singer Barry Manilow has revealed he has been forced to postpone a string of dates from his Las Vegas residency after undergoing surgery to remove cancer from his lung — a decision made on strict medical advice as he continues his recovery.
The Copacabana hitmaker, 82, confirmed late last year that doctors had discovered a cancerous spot on his lung, which was surgically removed. While the procedure was successful, Barry has now shared that he needs additional time to rest and heal before returning to the stage.
In a new post shared on X, the music icon reassured fans that he is “recovering very well”, adding that he has been staying active and even spending time back in the studio. However, despite feeling positive, doctors advised him to delay his upcoming shows at Westgate Las Vegas, originally scheduled to run from February 14 to February 21.
In his statement, Barry wrote:
“I want to share an update with you all. I’m doing great and recovering very well after my surgery. I’ve been getting exercise and spending some time in the studio, which has been fantastic.”
He continued:
“With my doctor’s guidance and recommendation, however, we have decided to postpone my residency dates at Westgate Las Vegas so I can stay focused on healing and getting ready for the tour that’s kicking off at the end of February. Having a few extra weeks to rest and prepare is what the doctor ordered.”
Fans were informed that tickets for the postponed Vegas dates will be refunded.
Barry first disclosed his health scare in December, explaining that a routine MRI — ordered after he suffered two prolonged bouts of bronchitis — revealed a small cancerous spot on his left lung. At the time, he stressed that doctors believed the cancer had been caught early and confirmed that chemotherapy and radiation would not be necessary.
Sharing more details on Instagram, the singer explained that the discovery was “pure luck”, crediting his doctor for insisting on further tests even after he had returned to performing.
“The bad news is that now that the Christmas Gift of Love concerts are over, I’m going into surgery to have the spot removed,” Barry wrote at the time. “The doctors do not believe it has spread. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.”
The performer was originally scheduled to begin a U.S. arena tour in January 2026, with dates planned across Orlando, Tampa, Charleston, Greensboro and Columbus. Those shows were also postponed to allow for his recovery, with Barry apologising to fans for the disruption.
Medical experts note that lung nodules are relatively common and often benign, though they require careful evaluation due to their link with lung cancer. Barry, who has spoken openly in the past about smoking from a very young age, has since switched to vaping and was recently photographed doing so in Palm Springs.
Despite the setback, the singer remains optimistic, telling fans that he expects to return to performing soon and hinted that February could still be “one big party.” He also used the moment to urge followers to take their health seriously, encouraging anyone with even mild symptoms to seek medical advice.
As fans continue to send messages of support, Barry’s latest update has been met with relief — and a renewed sense of admiration for an artist determined to put his health first while preparing to return to the stage.
