What To Know
- Barry Manilow announced he is taking a break from touring amid health issues.
- The singer underwent lung cancer surgery and is still recovering, with concerns about the impact on his vocal cords.
- Manilow plans to resume performances at Westgate Las Vegas in October.
Barry Manilow is stepping back from touring amid health issues and concert cancellations.
On Tuesday, August 25, the “I Write the Songs” star, 83, took to social media, including Instagram, to announce a break after recently canceling two Las Vegas residency dates.
“Hi everybody — Barry here,” the message began. And I want you to be the first to know that we’re going to take a quick break. We just finished a fantastic summer tour. 29 shows in 68 days. The shows were fantastic. The audiences were fantastic. And I sounded fantastic. But it seems that we were pushing a little too hard.”
He continued, “Now we all need to sit down and shut up. So, we’re going to take a break until we return to the Westgate Las Vegas on October 8. When I’ll be singing like a bird. I hope to see you then.” Additionally, Manilow noted that new concert dates at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino will be announced next week.
In the comments, fans showered him with well-wishes and prayers, with one Instagram user writing, “We love you, Barry, I keep on praying for you. Take as much [of a] break as you want. We’re always here for you, love you.”
Another shared, “Hi Barry, please take care of yourself! Your health and happiness is what matters most!”
Someone else echoed, “Barry, you take all of the time you need. You are so precious and you have worked so hard on coming back to the stage. It’s remarkable. You are in my prayers. Lots of love.”
Manilow’s break announcement came on the heels of canceling two shows — one on Friday, August 21, and another on Saturday, August 22 — at Westgate, “due to technical and vocal problems.” He also postponed an August 4 concert in Lexington, Kentucky, due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
In December 2025, Manilow announced that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He underwent a lobectomy to remove the cancerous spot on his left lung and spent a week in the ICU. The singer said during an interview with People in March that he was “one of the lucky ones” because he did not have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation.
On NPR’s Morning Edition in June, Manilow opened up about his recovery, pointing out, “It’s only been four months, and they say it takes a year before you come back from something like that.”
He also noted that surgeons had to pass through his vocal cords while excising a part of his lung. “They promised me that they were very gentle, and they didn’t hurt my vocal cords,” he shared. “But I’m not so sure.”