— Singer Barry Manilow announced on Friday that he is postponing arena dates after surgery for lung cancer, saying his lungs are not yet ready for a full 90‑minute show. Manilow—who underwent the operation a little over a month ago—said his medical team advised delaying performances originally scheduled between Feb. 27 and March 17. He reported being able to sing roughly three songs before needing to stop and described a daily rehabilitation routine that includes treadmill sessions three times a day. Manilow said he hopes to resume with late‑March shows in Las Vegas and additional arena appearances in April on the East Coast if recovery progresses.
- Barry Manilow announced postponement of shows set between Feb. 27 and Mar. 17, 2026, citing recovery from lung cancer surgery.
- He had surgery a little over one month before Feb. 20, 2026 and is currently in active rehabilitation.
- Manilow reports he can perform about three songs before needing to stop and is not yet able to complete a 90‑minute set.
- His rehab regimen includes treadmill sessions three times per day, according to his update.
- He aims to return for late‑March Las Vegas dates and East Coast arena shows in April, pending medical clearance.
- His surgeon told him the body has been “through hell” and needs more time to heal, per Manilow’s statement.
Background
Barry Manilow, a veteran performer with a career spanning decades, launched a series of arena dates planned for late winter and spring 2026. The recent announcement follows a surgical procedure for lung cancer carried out a little over a month before his Feb. 20 statement. Performing major concerts typically requires sustained breath control and lung capacity—capacity that can be reduced temporarily after thoracic surgery. For older artists, recovery timelines often vary widely depending on the surgery type, complications and rehabilitation intensity. Promoters and venues generally respond to medical postponements with rescheduling or refund options, but logistical challenges can be significant when multiple arena dates are affected.
Manilow has previously maintained an active touring schedule and residency engagements; the planned late‑March Las Vegas return and April East Coast arena dates were part of a broader run of shows. The current pause highlights the intersection of artist health and large‑scale live production economics, as venues rebook, crews are reassigned and ticketholders await notice. Fans and ticketing platforms typically receive guidance from promoters about refunds or rescheduled dates when an artist cancels for medical reasons. In the short term the priority for Manilow and his team is clinical recovery and cautious assessment of vocal and respiratory readiness.
Main Event
On Feb. 20, 2026, Manilow posted a health update saying his doctor advised him that he is not yet able to sustain a full concert. He said he cannot presently complete a 90‑minute set and will reschedule shows booked between Feb. 27 and Mar. 17. The announcement was framed as a medical decision made in consultation with his surgical team rather than a voluntary withdrawal from the tour.
According to Manilow’s update, he has been following an intensive rehabilitation routine since surgery, including treadmill sessions three times daily to rebuild stamina. He also conveyed that his singing capacity is currently limited to roughly three songs before he must stop, a detail that guided the choice to postpone. Manilow described his surgeon’s assessment that his body had been “through hell” and required more healing time.
Despite the postponements, Manilow expressed cautious optimism about a staged return: he hopes to appear at late‑March performances in Las Vegas and to resume East Coast arena dates in April if cleared by doctors. Promoters and ticketing outlets typically coordinate individual venue announcements and customer communications after an artist decision; those steps were expected to follow his public statement. The announcement did not list the exact shows affected by location in this update beyond the date range provided.
Analysis & Implications
For touring musicians, respiratory surgery presents acute challenges to vocal performance. Breath control, lung capacity and endurance are core to a 90‑minute concert, and even partial recovery can leave a performer short of the stamina required for a full program. The decision to postpone demonstrates a risk‑averse approach that prioritizes long‑term vocal health and mitigation of potential onstage complications. From a managerial standpoint, postponing reduces the chance of mid‑show cancellations that can damage ticketing relations and increase refund burdens.
The economic consequences touch multiple stakeholders: ticket holders face rescheduling or refunds, production crews and local venue staff may see calendar changes, and promoters absorb costs tied to logistics and marketing. Insurance provisions for medical withdrawals often cover some losses, but policies and claims processes vary by promoter and market. For Manilow—an established artist with a large catalogue and steady fan base—the reputational impact is likely minimal so long as communications remain transparent and rescheduling options are provided.
On a broader cultural level, the announcement highlights how aging performers manage health risks while sustaining touring careers. It may prompt renewed attention to medical support systems for artists—pre‑tour screening, rehabilitation planning and contingency clauses in contracts. If Manilow’s planned late‑March and April return dates proceed, they will likely be staged conservatively with contingency plans to protect both the artist’s recovery and audience expectations.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announcement date | Feb. 20, 2026 |
| Surgery timing | A little over one month before Feb. 20, 2026 |
| Current vocal capacity | Approximately three songs before stopping (per Manilow) |
| Daily rehab | Treadmill sessions three times per day (per Manilow) |
| Postponed range | Feb. 27–Mar. 17, 2026 |
The table summarizes the verifiable data Manilow provided publicly. It does not attempt to estimate the number of shows affected because that figure was not specified in his public update. Contextualizing these facts helps audiences understand why postponement, rather than a shortened set or partial performance, was chosen.
Reactions & Quotes
Manilow framed the decision to postpone as medically necessary and shared candid details about his recovery routine and current limitations.
“Sorry, my lungs aren’t ready to sing just yet,”
Barry Manilow (Instagram statement reported by TMZ)
He also relayed his surgeon’s assessment of his condition when explaining the need for time to heal.
“Your body has been through hell and needs time to heal,”
Surgeon (as quoted by Manilow)
Promoters and fans typically respond to such updates with a mix of concern and practical questions about refunds and rescheduling; official venue and ticketing statements were expected to follow after Manilow’s announcement.
Unconfirmed
- Exact number and locations of shows postponed within the Feb. 27–Mar. 17 window were not listed in the public update and remain unconfirmed.
- Specific refund, exchange or rescheduling policies for affected ticketholders were not provided in Manilow’s statement and await promoter or venue announcements.
- Manilow’s projected late‑March and April return dates are contingent on medical clearance and therefore not finalized.
Bottom Line
Barry Manilow’s decision to postpone shows between Feb. 27 and Mar. 17, 2026 reflects a medically advised pause after lung cancer surgery conducted a little over a month before his Feb. 20 statement. He reported limited vocal endurance—about three songs at present—and a rigorous rehabilitation routine, underscoring that performing full arena shows remains premature.
The practical effects will ripple through promoters, venues and fans as rescheduling, refunds and logistics are sorted; however, the move prioritizes the artist’s long‑term health and the integrity of future performances. Observers should watch for formal promoter and venue notices detailing affected dates and ticket options, and for any medical clearance updates that would confirm a late‑March return in Las Vegas or the planned April East Coast run.
Sources
- TMZ — Entertainment news outlet reporting Manilow’s statement (media report)