Barry Manilow Opens Up About Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Surgery
Soft rock icon Barry Manilow has shared the harrowing details of his stage one lung cancer battle, which began last November. The 82-year-old Grammy winner, who smoked cigarettes from age nine to 39 and later vaped, initially experienced two bouts of bronchitis and sore hips, prompting medical investigation.
A Shocking Diagnosis and Immediate Response
After an MRI revealed a dot in his lung, doctors delivered the alarming news. "They called me and said, 'Could be cancer.' That's a bad word. 'Not me. F*** you. I can't have cancer,'" Manilow recalled in his recent People magazine cover story. The singer, born Pincus, expressed disbelief and fear, noting that the cancer could have been present for years without detection.
"If it had gone any further, then I would be up s***'s creek. It just so happened that it hadn't spread, and boy oh boy, I thought I might be dying," he admitted, highlighting the precarious nature of his situation.
Surgical Intervention and Recovery Process
A month later, the Sun Shine singer underwent a lobectomy to remove the diseased lobe on his left lung. The procedure required a week-long stay in the intensive care unit, an experience Manilow describes as a "nightmare" that he thankfully does not remember. "I'm one of the lucky ones; I don't have to have chemo, radiation and all that stuff," he said, expressing relief at avoiding further treatments.
Now cancer-free, the Copacabana hitmaker, who is only an Oscar away from achieving elite EGOT status, has used the health scare as a moment for profound reflection. "This made me stop and think about: Have I done what I wanted to do, and have I made people happy?" Manilow questioned, delving into life's bigger questions.
Personal Reflections and Support System
"Have I been a good friend? All of those cornball things that I've read for all of my life, I started to think about that, too. It really did stop me in my tracks. And the answers are yes. And as a matter of fact, there are more yeses than I ever thought," he shared. The Brooklyn native concluded, "This really rocked me but I'm getting stronger."
Throughout his ordeal, Manilow had the unwavering support of his manager Garry Kief, whom he married in 2014 after 36 years of dating. Sources revealed in 2015 that the couple did not formalize their union legally to prevent leaks, but their bond remains strong. "He's the smartest person I've ever met in my life - and a great guy, too," Manilow said in a 2017 interview, acknowledging the positive reaction from fans upon learning about his relationship.
Career Milestones and Future Plans
Despite the health challenges, Manilow continues to achieve career highs. In March, he made history as the only artist to have an adult contemporary top 10 single in six consecutive decades, with 13 number one hits, including his new song Once Before I Go. Looking ahead, on June 5, he will release his 33rd studio album, What a Time, marking his first album with original material in nearly 15 years.
Before that, Manilow, who boasts 4.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, is scheduled to perform on April 13 at the UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to his craft. This journey from diagnosis to recovery underscores not only his personal strength but also the importance of early detection and medical intervention in cancer cases.
