Barry Manilow has offered new insight into his lung cancer diagnosis and recovery.
The 82-year-old “Copacabana” crooner revealed his diagnosis in December, saying it was “found early.” He underwent surgery to remove a spot on his left lung, postponing his Las Vegas residency and several planned tour dates to recover.
But part of his post-surgery recovery was a seven-day ICU stay during which he unknowingly had pneumonia.
“I didn't know about pneumonia,” the singer told Good Morning America's Chris Connelly in a teaser for a new interview. “I was in the ICU for seven days, because they couldn’t grasp this pneumonia that was just about killing me.”
However, Manilow says he’s on the mend.
“I’m doing good. I’m doing good,” Manilow said when asked about his health. “It took longer than I thought it was gonna take to get past this lung cancer thing.”
Since the start of the year, Manilow has announced multiple rounds of show postponements as he continues his recovery. He described a February visit to the surgeon ahead of his anticipated return to the stage as “very depressing.” Despite “using the treadmill three times a day” to prepare for his upcoming arena tour dates, his surgeon advised against him resuming the previously postponed concerts.
Speaking in March to People, Manilow described the ordeal as “a nightmare.” But he’s also been able to find the bright sides in a dark situation.
“I’m one of the lucky ones; I don’t have to have chemo, radiation and all that stuff,” he said.
The entire ordeal has forced Manilow to take stock of his life.
“This made me stop and think about: Have I done what I wanted to do, and have I made people happy? Have I been a good friend?” he mused to People. “All of those cornball things that I’ve read for all of my life, I started to think about that, too. It really did stop me in my tracks.
“And the answers are yes. And as a matter of fact, there are more yeses than I ever thought.”
The Grammy-winning artist’s career has spanned over six decades. In that time, he’s released more than 30 studio albums, including 1978’s Even Now, which features his best-known hit “Copacabana,” as well as three major singles, “Even Now,” “Can’t Smile Without You” and “Somewhere in the Night.” Manilow’s other top hits include “Mandy,” “Somewhere Down the Road” and “Could It Be Magic.”
His website currently lists tour dates — billed as “The Last Concerts” — from June through January 2027.
