Barry Manilow, the 83-year-old Grammy, Emmy, and Tony-winning singer, is touring the United States in 2026 while recovering from stage 1 lung cancer surgery. He postponed a Lexington, Kentucky concert for a second time on August 4, 2026, citing “unforeseen circumstances,” even as he continues his farewell arena tour, Las Vegas residency, and promotion of his new album.
Barry Manilow is an American singer, songwriter, and producer best known for “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” and “I Write the Songs.” He has sold more than 85 million records worldwide. In 2026, he remains active on tour and in Las Vegas while recovering from early-stage lung cancer and supporting his new album, “What a Time”.
Health Battle and Recovery
Barry Manilow diagnosis came in late 2025, when doctors found a cancerous spot on his left lung. According to reporting, the spot was discovered following a bout of bronchitis and confirmed through medical testing. Because the cancer was caught early and had not spread, Manilow underwent a surgical lobectomy in January 2026 and did not require chemotherapy or radiation.
The recovery proved harder than expected. Barry Manilow suffered a collapsed lung and pneumonia after the surgery, leading to nearly a month in the hospital, including time in intensive care. He has since announced he is cancer-free.
Barry Manilow has spoken openly about how the ordeal changed him. Discussing his recovery, he said the surgery affected his voice and stamina, noting that his energy still fluctuates. “I’m not sure I can do 90 minutes yet, but I’m close,” he said, describing days when he feels strong followed by days when he “can’t even talk.” His willingness to discuss the diagnosis publicly has drawn wide support from fans, particularly because he has kept performing while following medical advice.
Lexington Cancellation and Tour Schedule
The most recent disruption came on August 4, 2026, when Manilow’s team postponed his Rupp Arena show in Lexington, Kentucky, just 41 minutes before doors were scheduled to open. A statement posted to his social media accounts read: “Due to unforeseen circumstances tonight’s show in Lexington has been rescheduled.” No further explanation was given.
Rupp Arena confirmed the postponement and told ticket holders that all previously purchased tickets will be honored once a new date is announced. This was the second time the Lexington show had been delayed. The original date, set for March 9, 2026, was postponed while Manilow was still recovering from his cancer treatment.
Despite the Lexington setback, Barry Manilow performed in Columbus, Ohio, on August 2 without incident and was scheduled to continue to Cincinnati the following days.
Confirmed Upcoming Dates
| Date | City / Venue |
| August 5, 2026 | Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center |
| August 7, 2026 | Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena |
| August 8, 2026 | Norfolk, VA – Chartway Arena |
| August 10, 2026 | Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum |
| August 11, 2026 | Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena |
| August 13, 2026 | Jacksonville, FL – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena |
Florida dates postponed earlier in the year have been rescheduled for January 2027, including stops in Sunrise, Estero, Tampa, and Orlando. A show in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the makeup Lexington date remain listed as “to be determined.” Manilow is also continuing his long-running residency at the International Theater inside Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, with additional dates set for late August and September 2026, where he previously broke Elvis Presley’s record for the most performances at the venue. Fans can check for venue updates and ticket availability directly on the official Barry Manilow tour schedule.
New Album Marks a Milestone
Amid the health turmoil, Barry Manilow released “What a Time” on June 5, 2026, his first album of nearly all-original material in about 15 years. The project includes collaborations with producers and songwriters Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Dave Cobb, Michael Lloyd, and Gary Barlow.
The lead single, “Once Before I Go,” reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, extending Manilow’s presence on that chart across six decades. He has now placed 51 Top 40 singles and 13 number-one hits over his career.
The Career Behind the Comeback
Born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, Manilow studied at the New York College of Music and the Juilliard School while working in the mailroom at CBS to support himself. Early in his career, he wrote and arranged commercial jingles for major brands, including Band-Aid and State Farm. In the early 1970s, he became musical director and accompanist for Bette Midler, work that established his reputation as a top arranger in New York.
Barry Manilow launched his solo career with a self-titled debut album in 1973. His breakthrough came in 1974 with “Mandy,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became his signature ballad style. Other major hits followed: “I Write the Songs” (1975), written by Bruce Johnston, won the Grammy for Song of the Year; “Looks Like We Made It” (1977) reached number one; “Can’t Smile Without You” (1978) became a top-five radio staple; and “Copacabana (At the Copa)” (1978) earned him a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and later inspired a stage musical.
Across his catalog, Barry Manilow has released 33 studio albums, including triple-platinum releases “Barry Manilow/Live,” “Even Now,” and “Greatest Hits.” He received a Special Tony Award in 1977 for his Broadway debut and multiple Emmy Awards for his television specials, including the 2006 PBS special “Manilow: Music and Passion.” He was also nominated for an Academy Award for “Ready to Take a Chance Again,” from the film “Foul Play.”
Manilow has also worked extensively in musical theater. He spent decades developing “Harmony,” which tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a German vocal group from the 1920s and 1930s. The musical debuted on Broadway in 2023 and earned a New York Times Critic’s Pick. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and founded the Manilow Music Project, a nonprofit that donates instruments and funding to middle and high school music programs across North America.
His current touring effort, known as “The Last Concerts”, is billed as his final large-scale arena tour.
Personal Life
Barry Manilow largely kept his personal life private for decades. In 2017, he publicly confirmed his longtime marriage to his manager, Garry Kief, after years of not discussing the relationship. Since then, he has occasionally spoken about their life together while maintaining a generally private personal profile.
What This Means Going Forward
Manilow’s 2026 has combined a serious health crisis with continued creative and commercial output. His recovery has caused repeated schedule disruptions, but venues have consistently honored postponed shows by rescheduling rather than canceling, and ticket validity has been maintained through the changes.
The release of “What a Time” and the chart performance of “Once Before I Go” indicate that Barry Manilow remains active as a recording artist rather than performing solely as a nostalgia act. As of early August 2026, he continues touring with his schedule subject to short-notice changes tied to his ongoing recovery, and no new date has yet been set for the postponed Lexington concert.
