Music Legend Barry Manilow Scheduled for Surgery for a Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

Barry Manilow has revealed that he has been diagnosed with cancer of the lung and is set to have an operation.

Cancer Caught Early

The octogenarian performer, famous for his series of beloved anthems from "I Write the Songs" established him as one of pop music’s cherished entertainers, will have an operation to remove part of his lung in an effort to fight off the disease, which is at an early phase.

“For those who have been following, I recently suffered from six weeks of a severe cough followed by a relapse of another five weeks.

“Despite the fact that I was past the infection and returned to the spotlight at the Westgate Las Vegas, my excellent physician insisted on an MRI just to be certain that everything was OK.

“The MRI detected a cancerous spot on my left side that needs to be removed. It’s incredible chance (and a great doctor) that it was caught so early.”

Concert Delays

He has delayed a string of forthcoming shows, but stated he would be back on stage by mid-February for his longstanding concert series at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

He added: “The medical team do not believe it has traveled and I’m having examinations to support their conclusion. So, that’s it. Chemo is not needed. No radiotherapy. Just rest and recuperation and favorite shows.

“I’m counting the days until I rejoin my home away from home at the Westgate Las Vegas for our Valentine’s weekend concerts.”

Professional and Personal Journey

Manilow is now in the 16th year of a residency at the Westgate Las Vegas. The singer has spent decades in the public eye and publicly identified as gay in 2017, after wedding his partner of many years, Garry Kief in secret in 2014.

The couple were in a private relationship for in excess of 35 years. Last year, Manilow discussed how vital his partner had been to him during his rise to peak fame in the 1970s.

“During my rapid rise to fame, it was just overwhelming. And, you know, returning to an lonesome hotel suite, you can get into a lot of problems if you, you know, you’re by yourself repeatedly,” he said.

“But I found my partner right around when it was taking off. And I was spared from having to go back to those isolated suites. I had a person to cry with or to share joys with.

“I desire that aspiring artists don’t have to go back to those rooms by themselves, because you might succumb to pitfalls. I never did. But it was quite isolating until I met Garry. And then it was fun.”