Tour Dates Are Cancelled by Barry Manilow Following "Depressing" Visit from Doctor During the struggle with Lung Cancer.
Barry Manilow prioritizes his well-being. The Grammy winner revealed that he will have to postpone the first leg of his next stadium tour in order to recuperate fully, two months after undergoing surgery to remove a malignant "spot" from his left lung.
“Hi everyone,” on February 20, Barry posted a statement via Instagram. “Barry here. Just got home from visiting the surgeon. Very depressing visit. I told him that I have been using the treadmill three times a day (I have) but that I still couldn’t sing more than three songs in a row before I had to stop. But I was sure that I would be able to do the Arena shows in a few weeks.”
The 82-year-old said that his doctor "shook his head." He also had to postpone his January tour dates because of his health. Despite being in "great shape" given his early-stage lung cancer diagnosis, which Barry disclosed in December after a fight with bronchitis, he told the "Mandy" singer that he wouldn't "make it through" a 90-minute show. "He looked at me and then he looked at the floor," he said.
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“Deep down, I wanted to go back—but my body knew what my heart didn’t want to admit: I wasn’t ready,” he clarified. “I’m so sorry I have to reschedule the first batch of Arena shows from February 27th-March 17. He said I could likely do the Vegas shows at the very end of March and the second batch of Arena shows beginning in April.”
Barry, who is married to Garry Kief, is eager to give the stage his best effort when the time comes, but he is putting his health first.
“I’m SO, SO sorry I have to reschedule some of these first Arena shows. Again!” the statement went on. “But when I do come back, I will COME BACK!!!”
In the meantime, the "Copacabana" hitmaker is appreciative of all the help.
“In the meantime, and once again, thank you all for your wonderful notes and phone calls of support,” he continued. “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 went on to say, “All my love and gratitude, B.”
