Barry Manilow, the legendary singer known for his timeless hits, is preparing to say goodbye to his fans. During a recent appearance on Good Morning America, the 82-year-old artist opened up about how his battle with lung cancer has changed his life and career forever.
The musician shared that doctors initially removed a stage 1 cancerous tumor from his left lung. However, the recovery process was far from smooth. Despite the surgery, Manilow ended up back in the emergency room due to pneumonia.
“There were a couple of moments there that I thought this may be goodbye,” he said. “But these people at this hospital, they were just angels, saints. I could cry so hard every time I think about these nurses and doctors.”
Manilow, who has canceled numerous performances since his illness, expressed deep concern about how the left lung lobectomy affected his voice.
“My voice— I don’t know whether it’s coming back,” he admitted. “I did my first sound check about a month ago and I didn’t sound like me at all. I just couldn’t believe that it’s over. That is really upsetting. Because I don’t want it to stop.”
For over 50 years, Manilow has been a staple in the music industry, yet he now feels he has taken his voice for granted.
“I don’t take it seriously,” he said. “Now I do, because it doesn’t seem to be there the way it always was.”
When was Barry Manilow diagnosed with lung cancer?
The “Copacabana” singer’s diagnosis was first announced on December 22, 2025, after he visited doctors for an MRI following a severe case of bronchitis.
“They checked my lungs, and they found the dot, the spot, that thing that you don’t want to, you don’t want to ever have,” Manilow said. “They said I had lung cancer and we have to get it out. It was just too heavy for me.”
How is Barry Manilow’s health today?
Post-surgery, Manilow is “doing good,” but he admitted that the recovery process took longer than expected.
“Now that I feel that death may be looming, I’m considering whether I have fulfilled all my dreams,” he reflected. “Have I done everything I wanted to do? Have I been good to people? Have I made people feel good?” he asked. “That’s all I ever wanted to do with my music. The thing that shocked me was all the people around the world being concerned about me. It was note after note after note about ‘we’re praying for you.’”
Barry Manilow ‘Can’t Wait to Get Back’ on Stage
Despite his health struggles, Manilow remains passionate about music. His new album, What a Time, will be released on Friday, June 5.
“I can’t wait to get back. I’m in great shape, I’m ready to go. I just hope my voice is there. If I sound good, that would be just great,” he said. “I really don’t want to cry on stage, but I don’t know whether I’ll be able to hold that back this time.”
Manilow’s journey serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the power of music. His resilience and dedication to his craft continue to inspire fans around the world.
