Barry Manilow remained upbeat in a new video he posted to Instagram this week, after undergoing cancer surgery that forced him to postpone a string of concerts.
The 82-year-old Copacabana hitmaker revealed in December that he had been diagnosed with a cancerous spot on one of his lungs, and was undergoing surgery to remove it. At that time, he assured his fans that he wouldn’t need chemotherapy or radiation.
In the latest video, posted on March 3, he shared his progress and sent his gratitude to his fans for their support.
“Hi, everyone, Barry Manilow here! Well, looks like I made it and I look fabulous, right? You know, with everything that’s going on in the world, I wanted to check in and share some good news. In fact, it’s great news,” he said, celebrating the success of his new single Once Before I Go, which landed on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.
Manilow, who is known for his humor, joked about his success, saying, “I’m 100 years old with a top 10 single on the pop charts. Top 10. Like my grandmother once said: ‘Next thing you know, they’ll be walking on the moon.’”
The video was filled with gratitude for both his fans and the medical team supporting him. “But I am getting stronger and I have great doctors and wonderful friends and family, but I am so looking forward to getting back onstage,” he said, adding that he was eager to return to performing after the recovery.
The musical legend explained that while his surgery went well, he still needed time to recover. “What a time it’s been. Hey, that’s the name of my new album. It’s called What a Time. It comes out real soon and I can’t wait to show these songs to you. So here’s to another century of making music together, my friends. All my love and gratitude.”
Manilow’s health struggles began after he suffered two weeks of bronchitis, which prompted his doctor to suggest an MRI. The test revealed the cancerous spot on his lung, but fortunately, it had not spread. Following the surgery, Manilow was advised to take a break from performing.
As a result, he had to postpone several concerts, including his scheduled shows in January, February, and March. He had initially planned to return to the stage in February, but after further consultation with his surgeon, he postponed all his shows until March 17.
“I’m still unable to sing more than three songs in a row,” he shared. “I’ve been using the treadmill three times a day, but the doctor says my body isn’t ready for the rigors of a 90-minute concert.”
Despite the setbacks, Manilow remains optimistic and grateful for the continued support from his fans and loved ones. His journey serves as an inspiration to many, showing that even in the face of adversity, hope and resilience can shine through.
