NEW YORK CITY, New York: Legendary singer Barry Manilow said on December 22 that he will be undergoing surgery for lung cancer and will reschedule all concerts that were to be held in January.
Manilow, 82, said doctors discovered the cancer after he had an extended bout of bronchitis, the first for six weeks, and then after he had a relapse of another five weeks.
"My wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK," Manilow wrote on Instagram. "The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It's pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early."
The singer added that doctors did not believe cancer had spread. So, for now, he expects "No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and ‘I Love Lucy' reruns."
The spot was a stage one tumor, and surgery would take place in late December, said a statement from Manilow's representatives.
Manilow will be in recovery in January and plans to return to action with Valentine's weekend concerts beginning on February 12 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. His arena concerts will resume on February 28 in Tampa, Florida.
Manilow was due to perform 10 concerts in January at nine locations in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Ohio. They will now be held in February.
