Barry Manilow shared a personal health update just days into the new year, letting fans know he was in the hospital following a recent diagnosis. The news came after he finished his holiday concert run, which he has kept up as a yearly tradition.
The singer revealed that the diagnosis was lung cancer, discovered after what started as a stubborn case of bronchitis. The illness lasted several weeks, went away, then came back again, which led doctors to order additional testing just to be safe.
That testing included an MRI, which showed a small cancerous spot on his left lung. Manilow said it was caught early, calling it “pure luck,” and credited a careful doctor for pushing to take a closer look.
He explained that surgery would be used to remove the spot and that chemotherapy and radiation would not be needed. While recovering, he joked that chicken soup and watching “I Love Lucy” reruns were helping pass the time.
A few days later, he posted a smiling photo from a hospital bed with the caption, “Better Today!” The response was immediate, with fans flooding the comments to share encouragement, prayers, and lighthearted messages.
With recovery as the priority, Manilow postponed several January tour dates tied to his arena shows. Those performances were rescheduled for late February through April, and fans were told that all tickets would still be honored.
He also confirmed that his Valentine’s weekend shows in Las Vegas would continue as planned. The venue, which he has often called his home away from home, remains a regular stop for him.
At the end of his update, Manilow offered a simple reminder to others. He urged people not to ignore symptoms, saying, “And remember, if you have even the slightest symptom… get tested!”
