Pop icon Barry Manilow has rescheduled the opening leg of his Last Concerts farewell tour as he continues recovering from lung cancer surgery. The 82 year old singer shared that a recent visit with his surgeon confirmed he is not yet ready to perform a full 90 minute arena show. Dates scheduled from February 27 through March 17 will be moved as he prioritizes healing.
“Just got home from visiting the surgeon. Very depressing visit,” Manilow wrote in a message to fans. “Deep down, I wanted to go back, but my body knew what my heart didn’t want to admit: I wasn’t ready.” He added, “The doctor said that my body had been through hell and that it needed time to heal. So, I’m going back to healing.” He still plans to perform his Las Vegas shows at the end of March and resume arena dates in April.
Manilow first revealed in December that doctors found a cancerous spot on his left lung, which required surgery. Since then, he has been rebuilding stamina, including regular treadmill sessions, but says he cannot yet sustain multiple songs in a row. The decision reflects medical guidance and his commitment to returning at full strength.
Best known for classics including “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” and “I Write The Songs,” Manilow remains grateful for fan support. New dates for the postponed concerts have not yet been announced.