Barry Manilow has expressed fears that he may never regain his singing voice following treatment for lung cancer. The 82-year-old singer underwent a lobectomy in December, during which a large portion of his cancerous left lung was removed.
In an interview on Good Morning America, Manilow spoke in a raspy voice, saying: 'My voice – I don't know whether it's coming back.' He admitted he was losing hope of ever singing again, recalling a recent sound check where he 'didn't sound like me at all.'
Manilow, who smoked from age nine to 39 and later vaped, said he had taken his voice for granted. 'I just couldn't believe that it's over,' he said. 'That is really upsetting. Because I don't want it to stop.'
The singer's cancer was discovered after an MRI scan following a bout of bronchitis. The tumour was stage one and fully removed, so he did not require chemotherapy or radiation. However, he developed pneumonia after surgery and spent time in intensive care, describing the experience as 'terrifying.'
Despite his vocal concerns, Manilow remains eager to return to the stage. He is due to begin UK dates of his farewell tour in Glasgow on June 9, followed by US shows. 'I can't wait to get back,' he said. 'I just hope my voice is there.'
