Barry Manilow has cancelled a concert at the last minute. The musician told fans in a statement on social media that his performance at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, would not take place.
Singer's health history
The singer, who underwent surgery last year for lung cancer, was due to perform at the venue on March 9 but had rescheduled his gig due to his recovery.
In a statement shared on X to his 79,400 followers, he said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight's show in Lexington has been rescheduled." His post prompted an outpouring of support from his loyal fanbase, with one person writing: "Dear God. Please watch over Barry and keep him well and healthy."
Fan reactions
"I'm so sorry you've had to reschedule tonight's show. Please look after yourself Barry, sending much love and healing energy from across the pond. Take care my friend, love & light, Gloria," said a second. While a third went on to write: "We travelled from Cincinnati to hear him! I hope all is well. It wasn't cancelled until 30 minutes before start time."
Meanwhile, the Rupp Arena issued its own statement, saying: "Due to unexpected and unforeseen circumstances, the Barry Manilow concert scheduled for tonight, August 4, at Rupp Arena is postponed. All previously purchased tickets will be honoured at the new date once it is announced."
Upcoming performance
Manilow is due to perform at the Heritage Bank Centre in Cincinnati, Ohio, later today. In November last year, Manilow revealed that he had been diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer following a trip to the doctor after suffering pain in his hip.
He was given his diagnosis after an MRI scan of his lungs and pelvis, having battled bronchitis on two occasions. Speaking to People in March, Barry said: "If he hadn't done that, man... He [doctor] saved my life, because there's no symptoms for what I had.
Survival and gratitude
"I could go on, nothing hurt - but they found the dot in my lung. They called me and said, 'Could be cancer.' That's a bad word. 'Not me. F*** you. I can't have cancer.' They don't even know how long I had this thing sitting on me. It could have been years.
If it had gone any further, then I would be up s***'s creek. It just so happened that it hadn't spread, and boy oh boy, I thought I might be dying." The legendary musician previously explained that two things got him through his fight with the cruel disease.
During his concert in Glasgow earlier this year, he told a packed OVO Hydro Arena: "Unless you have been living under a rock you will know I have been in hospital for a couple of months. It's always a shock when your doctor calls you and tells you that you've got lung cancer, and I'm sure a lot of people have been down this road.
"So, after I got over the shock, you know what I did? I blasted The Beatles albums over and over and over, I did, until Garry [husband Garry Kief] said he was gonna leave me if I didn't stop. The dogs were howling!"
Barry went on to add: "I was very lucky. No chemo, no radiation, and you know what they did with that tumour? They threw that f***ing thing in the garbage. But it's still a long ride. You know what got me through?
Hundreds and hundreds of notes and texts and letters from people all over the world telling me they were thinking of me, wishing me well, praying for me. And if you were one of those beautiful people, really, it was you that got me through those scary, scary times. I thank you."
