Barry Manilow Scheduled for an Operation for a Lung Cancer Diagnosis.
The singer has disclosed that he was diagnosed with cancer of the lung and will be having surgery.
Early-Stage Diagnosis
The octogenarian performer, known for a string of high-spirited hits from "Mandy" established him as one of pop music’s most beloved entertainers, will have an operation to remove part of his lung in an effort to combat the illness, which is at an early phase.
“As my fans are aware, I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a recurrence of another five weeks.
“Although I was past the infection and performing again for my residency, my excellent physician requested an MRI just to be certain that all was clear.
“The MRI identified a cancerous spot on my left side that must be removed. It’s sheer fortune (and a fantastic physician) that it was caught so early.”
Postponed Performances
He has rescheduled a series of upcoming shows, but stated he would be back on stage by mid-February for his long-running engagement at his Vegas home.
He went on to say: “The medical team do not believe it has spread and I’m having examinations to confirm their diagnosis. So, that’s it. No chemotherapy. No radiation. Just home remedies and classic TV.
“I’m eagerly awaiting until I come back to my familiar venue in Las Vegas for our February love-themed shows.”
Professional and Personal Journey
Manilow is presently in his 16th year of a show at the Westgate Las Vegas. The singer has spent decades in the limelight and publicly identified as gay in 2017, after marrying his longtime partner and manager confidentially in 2014.
The duo were in a clandestine relationship for more than 35 years. Recently, Manilow reflected on how crucial his husband had been to him during his ascent to stardom in the 1970s.
“When my fame skyrocketed, it was just hectic. And, you know, going back to an vacant room, you can land in a lot of difficulty if you, you know, you’re on your own evening after evening,” he said.
“But I met Garry right around when it was blowing up. And I no longer had to go back to those isolated suites. I had a partner to share sorrows with or to celebrate with.
“I hope that aspiring artists don’t have to go back to those rooms by themselves, because you might succumb to pitfalls. I never did. But it was quite isolating until I met Garry. And then it was joyful.”