Barry Manilow Postpones Arena Tour Dates to Continue Cancer Recovery

Singer forced to reschedule shows as he regains strength after lung surgery

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Singer Barry Manilow has been forced to postpone more of his upcoming arena shows as he continues to recover from surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his left lung. Manilow shared on social media that his doctor advised him he would not be healthy enough to perform his scheduled 90-minute concerts, as his lungs have not fully healed. The rescheduled shows were set to begin on February 27 in Tampa, Florida and run through March 17 in Estero, Florida, but Manilow said his doctor believes he will be able to return for his Las Vegas residency shows at the end of March and the second leg of his arena tour starting in April.

Why it matters

Manilow's health issues and postponed tour dates highlight the challenges faced by aging musicians as they navigate the physical demands of performing live shows. The singer's openness about his cancer treatment and recovery process also sheds light on the realities of managing a career in the entertainment industry while dealing with serious medical conditions.

The details

In a social media post, Manilow shared that his doctor told him his lungs were not yet ready to handle the rigors of a 90-minute arena show, despite the singer's efforts to regain his stamina by using a treadmill three times a day. Manilow had previously postponed a run of residency shows in Las Vegas in early February due to his ongoing recovery.

  • Manilow underwent surgery in December 2025 to remove a cancerous spot on his left lung.
  • The postponed arena tour was originally scheduled to begin on February 27, 2026 in Tampa, Florida and run through March 17, 2026 in Estero, Florida.
  • Manilow's doctor believes he will be able to return for his Las Vegas residency shows at the end of March 2026, as well as the second leg of his arena tour starting in April 2026.

The players

Barry Manilow

A popular American singer-songwriter known for hits like "Mandy," "Can't Smile Without You," and "Copacabana." Manilow has been forced to postpone tour dates as he continues to recover from surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his left lung.

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What they’re saying

“Just got home from visiting the surgeon. Very depressing visit. I told the doctor that despite using the treadmill three times a day I haven't had the stamina to sing more than three songs without stopping.”

— Barry Manilow (Instagram)

“The doctor said that my body had been through hell and that it needed time to heal. So I'm going back to healing.”

— Barry Manilow (Instagram)

What’s next

Manilow's doctor believes he will be able to return for his Las Vegas residency shows at the end of March 2026, as well as the second leg of his arena tour starting in April 2026.

The takeaway

Manilow's health struggles and postponed tour dates serve as a reminder of the physical toll that a demanding music career can take, even on seasoned performers. His openness about his cancer treatment and recovery process provides insight into the realities of managing a high-profile career while dealing with serious medical issues.