Barry Manilow cuts Las Vegas show short after two songs, cancels next night with bronchitis
One day after a 'triumphant' return from a six-week health break, the 83-year-old walked off mid-show — a setback that echoes the bronchitis episode that led to his lung cancer diagnosis.
Barry Manilow walked off the stage at his Las Vegas residency on Friday, October 9, after singing just two songs — and did not come back. One night after what his representatives called a triumphant welcome-back concert, the 83-year-old had contracted bronchitis, forcing an abrupt end to the Friday show and the outright cancellation of Saturday's performance.
After a triumphant welcome-back concert on Thursday, Barry got hit with bronchitis and had to cancel his Friday and Saturday shows.— Representatives for Manilow and Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Before leaving the stage Friday, Manilow told the crowd, "Talk amongs yourselves," according to reports. The band continued playing instrumentals until the venue's PA system announced the show was over. Concertgoers later received emails from Ticketmaster confirming refunds.
The diagnosis carries particular weight given Manilow's recent medical history. A prolonged case of bronchitis late last year led to an MRI that revealed Stage 1 lung cancer. He underwent surgery in late December 2025 to remove the tumor; because it was caught early and had not spread, doctors determined he did not need chemotherapy or radiation.
Manilow had been recovering since that surgery, postponing early 2026 concert dates before completing an intensive summer tour of 29 shows in 68 days, which concluded August 22. A scheduled appearance at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on August 4 was scrapped at the last minute — marking the second time that date had been pushed back, following an earlier cancellation in March during his post-surgery recovery.
Thursday's October 8 show at the International Theater within the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino marked his return to The Hits Come Home! residency after a six-week health break. Less than 24 hours later, that return was interrupted.
As of now, no further postponements have been announced, and his residency dates are still scheduled to begin Thursday, October 15.
Why it matters — For a performer whose last bronchitis episode uncovered lung cancer, a repeat diagnosis mid-residency raises immediate questions about whether his recovery is complete — and what it means for the shows still on the calendar.
⚠ Not yet confirmed
- Manilow told the crowd 'Talk amongs yourselves' before leaving the stage.
- duplicated surgery sentence in cancer paragraph
Reported by cleveland.com, soapcentral.com, billboard.com, washingtontimes.com, people.com, the-express.com
