Barry Manilow has no idea if his voice is “coming back”.
The Mandy hitmaker – whose new album, What a Time, is out on Friday (05.06.26) – is raring to get back onstage and is in “great shape” physically, but his vocals have been impacted since undergoing a lobectomy to treat lung cancer.
He told Good Morning America this week: “My voice – I don’t know whether it’s coming back.
“I did my first sound check about a month ago and I didn’t sound like me at all. I just couldn’t believe that it’s over.”
Manilow is next due onstage on June 25. He also has a Las Vegas residency in July.
The 82-year-old singer admits his return to the stage may produce a few tears.
He said: “I can’t wait to get back. I’m in great shape, I’m ready to go. I just hope my voice is there. If I sound good, that would be just great. I really don’t want to cry on stage, but I don’t know whether I’ll be able to hold that back this time.”
In December 2025, he announced he had been diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer after the disease was detected during an MRI after hearing about recent bouts of bronchitis.
The Copacabana hitmaker postponed his farewell tour in December after doctors discovered the cancerous spot on his left lung.
He later rescheduled additional shows, explaining that although he is getting “stronger,” he has struggled with the slow pace of recovery.
In a video message celebrating Once Before I Go entering the Adult Contemporary Top 10 – extending his chart success into a sixth decade – Manilow admitted the journey has been challenging.
He told fans: “Since I have no patience, it’s been agony.”
Manilow added that he is eager to return to the stage and grateful for the support of his medical team, friends, and family.
He was also candid about the realities of his recovery, sharing that his surgeon advised him he wasn’t yet ready to perform a full 90-minute arena show despite his determination.
