Barry Manilow shared an emotional update this week about his tough recovery from lung cancer surgery, admitting that his lack of patience has made the healing process feel like “agony,” even as he celebrated a milestone marking more than fifty years in his career.
The 82-year-old Grammy winner posted a video on social media on Tuesday, March 3, revealing that his new single “Once Before I Go” debuted on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart—extending his presence on the chart across six decades. His streak began in November 1974, when “Mandy” first landed on the Adult Contemporary chart before reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100 in January 1975, kick-starting one of pop music’s most iconic careers.
“It’s been a long ride and since I have no patience, it’s been agony,” Manilow said in the video. “But I am getting stronger. And I have great doctors and wonderful friends and family, but I am so looking forward to getting back on stage.”
The “Copacabana” singer disclosed his diagnosis in December 2025, noting that a cancerous spot on his left lung was found during follow-up scans after an unusually long 11-week bout of bronchitis. The early-stage cancer required immediate surgery. Thankfully, it had not spread, allowing him to avoid chemotherapy and radiation—a relief he joked about, saying his recovery only needed “chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.”
Although eager to return to the stage, Manilow has encountered several obstacles in his recovery. He postponed his January 2026 arena shows and later pushed back tour dates in February and March, including his Valentine’s weekend performances in Las Vegas. All shows from Feb. 27 to March 17 have been rescheduled, with his next performance currently set for March 26 at the Westgate Las Vegas.
The break in his farewell tour has been especially difficult for the artist, who has been working hard to regain his stamina. Manilow said he has been walking on a treadmill three times a day but still can’t sing more than three songs consecutively. His surgeon warned him that his lungs could not yet handle the demands of a full 90-minute concert and that he “wouldn’t make it through” if he attempted the early arena dates.
Still, Manilow kept his trademark sense of humor in Tuesday’s update. Appearing upbeat, he joked about being “100 years old with a top ten single” and repeated his grandmother’s saying that “next thing you know, they’ll be walking on the moon.”
The track “Once Before I Go” is especially meaningful to the longtime performer. Legendary producer Clive Davis recommended the song, written by Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford and featured in the Broadway musical “The Boy From Oz” starring Hugh Jackman. Manilow has said he always loved the poignant ballad but felt he needed to reach this point in his life to sing it with the emotional depth it deserved.
The single’s chart debut offers a preview of his upcoming album “What A Time,” which he eagerly promoted in the video. He expressed gratitude to Davis for the song choice, to radio stations for playing the track, and to fans for requesting it. Fans responded with messages celebrating his recovery and anticipating his return.
This diagnosis marks Manilow’s second encounter with cancer. In 2020, he was treated for throat cancer with successful surgery. His recovery preserved his vocal abilities—extraordinary for someone whose voice is central to his career. The discovery of lung cancer five years later highlights the importance of ongoing medical vigilance, something Manilow has long encouraged.
Since the 1970s, Manilow has been a defining figure in adult contemporary music, with classic hits like “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” “I Write the Songs,” and “Looks Like We Made It.” His Las Vegas residency at the Westgate has become iconic, and his farewell tour marks the culmination of more than fifty years onstage. In April, he will receive the American Advertising Federation’s President’s Award at the Advertising Hall of Fame ceremony, honoring his famed jingle work for brands such as State Farm, McDonald’s, and Pepsi.
As Manilow continues to heal, his determination and spirit have become integral to his story, right alongside his musical accomplishments. He ended his video with a message filled with gratitude and resolve: “So here’s to another century of making music together, my friends. All my love and gratitude.”
