Barry Manilow Postpones Further Shows Amid Health Setback
Legendary crooner Barry Manilow has delivered disappointing news to his devoted fanbase, revealing that he must postpone more of his highly anticipated performances as he continues to recover from a recent surgery. The 82-year-old “Copacabana” hitmaker took to Instagram on Friday to share an update on his health, which has impacted his touring schedule.
Manilow, who had previously announced the postponement of his Las Vegas residency, disclosed in December that he had a cancerous spot removed from his left lung. At the time, he expressed optimism that he would be able to resume touring and performing for his fans without significant delay following the procedure. However, it appears the recovery process is taking longer than anticipated.
A “Depressing Visit” and Rescheduled Dates
In a candid social media post, Manilow described a “very depressing visit” with his surgeon over the weekend. The outcome of this consultation has necessitated the rescheduling of performances originally slated for February 27th through March 17th. Despite his best efforts to regain his vocal strength, including reportedly using a treadmill three times a day, the beloved singer revealed he is still unable to sing more than three songs consecutively.
In a poignant three-part message to his 127,000 Instagram followers, Manilow explained that his doctor advised his body is “not ready” to undertake the demands of a full 90-minute performance. “I’m so sorry,” he lamented, expressing his regret at having to delay these shows for a second time.
A Glimpse at the Revised Schedule
The veteran entertainer was initially scheduled to embark on a US tour in January, with planned stops in cities such as Orlando, Tampa, Charleston, Greensboro, and Columbus. Offering a glimmer of hope, Manilow relayed his surgeon’s prediction that he might be able to proceed with the Las Vegas shows by the very end of March. Furthermore, the second leg of his arena shows is now tentatively slated to commence in April.
“In the meantime and once again, thank you for all your wonderful notes and phone calls of support,” Manilow wrote, acknowledging the outpouring of well wishes from his fans. He candidly admitted that his body has “been through hell” and requires “time to heal.”
Fan and Celebrity Support
The response from fans and fellow celebrities has been overwhelmingly supportive. Journalist Leeza Gibbons commented, “This is the right move Barry! Everyone is supportive and willing to wait! You are loved!❤️” Radio host Melissa Forman added, “Could u be ANY sweeter? This is why we all love you ❤️.” Another fan from the UK sent a message of solidarity, stating, “Come back when you are ready, Barry. We’ll still be here for you! Take your time and get well soon. Big love from the UK ❤️.”
A Previous Health Update
This recent setback comes after an earlier positive update in mid-January. At that time, Manilow had announced new tour dates and shared that he was “feeling great” following the successful removal of the cancerous spot on his lung. A social media caption from that period read, “SURPRISE!!! Barry is feeling great…so great that he’s decided to add six additional concerts to his existing March schedule.” These newly added dates were set to include visits to Charlotte, Norfolk, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Nashville, and Lexington in March. A fan club pre-sale was scheduled to begin on January 13th.
Manilow had first revealed his health concern in December, explaining that his doctor had recommended an MRI after he suffered from two prolonged bouts of bronchitis. “Even though I was over the bronchitis and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI to make sure that everything was OK,” he had written on Instagram. He attributed the early discovery of the spot to “pure luck.” The current situation underscores the unpredictable nature of recovery and the importance of listening to one’s body, even for the most resilient of performers.
