Barry Manilow's surgeon delivered a brutal reality check that shattered the singer's comeback dreams.
"He told me, 'Barry, you're not prepared for a 90-minute performance,'" Manilow revealed in an emotional statement. "'Your lungs need more time. You're in good shape given your ordeal, but your body isn't up to it. Skip the initial Arena shows—you won't last through them.'"
The iconic performer confessed he saw this coming but couldn't ignore the medical truth.
"I had a hunch he'd say that," he wrote. "Deep down, I yearned to return—but my body recognized what my heart refused to accept: I wasn't prepared."
Barry Manilow performs in Manchester, England, on May 19, 2024. Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage
The decision forces Manilow to delay another critical stretch of his "Last Concerts" tour—arena shows from Feb. 27 to March 17 in cities including Tampa, Florida, and Columbus, Ohio. This marks the second postponement since he underwent surgery for a "cancerous spot" on his left lung that was originally scheduled for January.
"I'm deeply sorry for having to reschedule some of these initial Arena shows. Again!" Manilow expressed with palpable frustration. "But when I return, I'll make a powerful comeback!!! Meanwhile, thank you all for your heartfelt messages and calls of encouragement. The doctor emphasized that my body endured immense strain and requires healing time. So, I'm focusing on recovery."
Fans are left in limbo as new dates for the postponed concerts remain uncertain, raising questions about whether the 80-year-old legend can complete his farewell tour as planned.
