Barry Manilow fears he may never sing again after undergoing surgery for lung cancer. The 82-year-old singer, diagnosed with the disease in December last year, had a lobectomy to remove a cancerous portion of his left lung. Speaking on Good Morning America, Manilow revealed his voice has not returned to normal, leaving him uncertain about his future on stage.
Voice Recovery Struggles
During the interview, Manilow spoke with a raspy voice, admitting, “My voice – I don't know whether it's coming back.” He described a recent soundcheck as disheartening, saying, “I didn't sound like me at all.” The singer, known for hits like Copacabana and Mandy, confessed he had taken his voice for granted. “Now I do, because it doesn't seem to be there the way it always was,” he added.
Cancer Diagnosis and Surgery
Manilow’s health scare began in November when he visited a doctor for bronchitis. An MRI scan revealed a spot on his lung, leading to a lung cancer diagnosis. “They said I had lung cancer and we have to get it out,” he recalled. The tumour was stage one and fully removed, eliminating the need for chemotherapy or radiation. However, the singer developed pneumonia after surgery, requiring intensive care. “There were a couple of moments there that I thought this may be goodbye,” he shared.
Optimism Amid Uncertainty
Despite the challenges, Manilow remains hopeful. He is preparing to resume his farewell tour, starting in Glasgow on June 9, followed by dates in the United States. “I can't wait to get back. I'm in great shape, I'm ready to go. I just hope my voice is there,” he said. Reflecting on his career, he added, “Have I done everything I wanted to do? Have I been good to people? That's all I ever wanted to do with my music.”
Manilow, who smoked from age nine until 39 and later vaped, acknowledged the difficulty of waiting for his voice to heal. “No patience and waiting is agony,” he admitted. He also expressed gratitude for fan support, noting the countless letters and prayers he received. As he approaches his 83rd birthday on June 17, Manilow is determined to return to the stage, though he fears he may become emotional. “I really don't want to cry on stage, but I don't know whether I'll be able to hold that back this time,” he concluded.
