Barry Manilow cancels live shows after "very depressing visit" to cancer surgeon
23 February 2026, 10:36
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Barry Manilow has sadly been forced to further postpone some upcoming live shows on doctor's orders after a recent visit to his surgeon.
The legendary singer previously announced in December 2025 that he would be undergoing treatment for lung cancer and would have to cancel some concerts, but also that he hoped to be back on stage in Vegas by this month.
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He has already cancelled his planned Valentine's Day show, and has now pushed back further concerts.
"Just got home from visiting the surgeon," he wrote on Instagram.
"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. He shook his head."
Manilow added: "He looked at me and then he looked at the floor. 'What?' I said. He said, 'Barry, you won't be ready to do a 90-minute show. Your lungs aren't ready yet. You're in great shape considering what you’ve been through, but your body isn't ready. You shouldn't do the first Arena shows. You won't make it through.'
"Well, I had a feeling he'd say that. Deep down, I wanted to go back — but my body knew what my heart didn't want to admit: I wasn’t ready."
He confirmed that he would be rescheduling his first batch of arena shows which have been booked from February 27 to March 17.
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Manilow said that his doctor said was "likely" that he would be able to perform in Vegas at the end of March and finally make it to the arena stage at the start of April for his second run of shows.
Barry said: "He I'm SO, SO sorry I have to reschedule some of these first Arena shows. Again! But when I do come back, I will COME BACK!!!"
He said that after going "through hell" his body needed time to heal, and that was "going back to healing" for now.
