Barry Manilow made a triumphant return to the stage in Glasgow tonight, receiving a standing ovation six months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. The 82-year-old singer told the crowd at the OVO Hydro Arena: "Looks like we made it! This is the first show of our UK tour so get ready for anything. Let's get this party started!"
Cancer Battle and Recovery
Manilow was forced to postpone some shows earlier this year after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from his lung. His cancer diagnosis was announced on December 22 on his official website following a routine check-up. The singer had just completed a Las Vegas residency and a series of charity Christmas concerts in Palm Desert, California.
Just a week before the Glasgow show, he told Good Morning America: "My voice - I don't know whether it's coming back. I did my first sound check about a month ago and I didn't sound like me at all. I just couldn't believe that it's over. That is really upsetting. Because I don't want it to stop."
Since then, he has been working with a vocal coach and rehearsing intensively. Hours before the performance, he told BBC Breakfast it had been a "rough ride" but he is now recovering and "feeling great".
Voice Concerns and Recovery
Manilow admitted he was not yet ready to perform a full 90-minute show. At the end of May, he told the LA Times: "Ninety minutes of screaming in tune, which is what I do for a living — I'm not up for that yet. I will be, but it's taking a long time to get my voice back. They warned me that I'd have to learn to breathe again."
The break, aside from the Covid pandemic, has been his longest time away from the stage in decades. He is set to continue performing for many months while promoting his new album What A Time, his first album of new material in nearly 15 years, released on June 5.
How the Cancer Was Detected
Manilow credited his doctor with potentially saving his life. After complaining of hip pain, his doctor requested an MRI and also scanned his lungs due to two recent bouts of bronchitis. "I think he might have saved my life because they found a big black thing in my chest. One doctor said it was probably remnants of the bronchitis, the other doctor said it could be cancer. I voted for the bronchitis. But they went back in to see and it was a cancerous tumour," he explained.
Reflections on Life and Career
Ahead of his 83rd birthday on June 17, which he will celebrate with fans at a London show, Manilow reflected: "Have I done everything I wanted to do? Have I been good to people? Have I made people feel good? That's all I ever wanted to do with my music." He added: "The thing that shocked me was all the people around the world being concerned about me. It was note after note after note about 'we're praying for you.'"
Manilow's UK tour continues with dates in Leeds, Liverpool, and other cities before concluding at London's O2 on June 17. Ticket details are available at barrymanilow.com.
