Barry Manilow expected to be back on the road a week from now for the resumption of an arena tour. But life and his surgeon had other ideas.
Manilow took to multiple media platforms Friday to share some news that he found “very depressing”: He will need to reschedule close to three weeks’ worth of planned concerts, as his recovery from having a cancerous spot on his lung removed is taking longer than expected.
Although indicating he was despondent upon being given the news that nixing more dates would be necessary, he’d didn’t fight that judgment. “Deep down, I wanted to go back — but my body knew what my heart didn’t want to admit: I wasn’t ready. … The doctor said that my body had been through hell and that it needed time to heal.”
As a result of the doctor’s orders, he is putting off his shows from what was the most recent planned start date for the tour, Feb. 12, through March 17. The singer said his doctor told him he “likely” will be in shape to pick up the touring pace again for concerts at the end of March and beginning of April.
Back in December, he told fans about the spot on his lung that would require removal, which was discovered when he got an MRI while recovering from bronchitis.
Manilow’s latest statement, in full:
“Hi Everyone. Barry here. Just got home from visiting the surgeon. Very depressing visit.
“I told him that I have been using the treadmill three times a day (I have) but that I still couldn’t sing more than three songs in a row before I had to stop. But I was sure that I would be able to do the Arena shows in a few weeks. He shook his head.
“He looked at me and then he looked at the floor. ‘What?’ I said. He said, ‘Barry, you won’t be ready to do a 90-minute show. Your lungs aren’t ready yet. You’re in great shape considering what you’ve been through, but your body isn’t ready. You shouldn’t do the first Arena shows. You won’t make it through.’
“Well, I had a feeling he’d say that. Deep down, I wanted to go back — but my body knew what my heart didn’t want to admit: I wasn’t ready.
“I’m so sorry I have to reschedule the first batch of Arena shows from February 27th – March 17. He said I could likely do the Vegas shows at the very end of March and the second batch of Arena shows beginning in April.
“I’m SO, SO sorry I have to reschedule some of these first Arena shows. Again! But when I do come back, I will COME BACK!!!
“In the meantime, and once again, thank you all for your wonderful notes and phone calls of support. The doctor said that my body had been through hell and that it needed time to heal. So, I’m going back to healing. All my love and gratitude, B.”
In December, Manilow told fans that the discovery of the cancerous spot followed six weeks of bronchitis and a five-week relapse. The good news, he said at the time, was that he would require neither chemotherapy nor a long recovery process. He had been able to do a series of Christmas concerts, but postponed January dates to deal with the surgery, telling fans he would be back in action in time for Valentine’s week shows at the Westgate las Vegas.
In late January, he confidently added seven dates in April, which remain on the books as of now.
The shows that have now been postponed include dates in Tampa, Charlotte, Norfolk, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Columbus, Nashville, Lexington, Charleston, Orlando and the cities of Sunrise and Estero in Florida.
Dates that remain booked include shows in Las Vegas from March 26 through April 4, and again from May 7-16. In between, he has east coast dates scheduled, like an April 13 show at Belmont Park, NY’s UBS Arena and a concert the following night at Newark, NJ’s Prudential Center. From there he has still more Vegas shows set from July till almost Christmas.
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