Barry Manilow Cancels Las Vegas Shows Due to Bronchitis

Abrupt Exit at the Westgate International Theater

The 83-year-old Barry Manilow had only just returned to his residency at the International Theater at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, October 8. While that opening performance was described by his team as a "triumphant welcome-back concert," the following evening took an unexpected turn. During the Friday night show, the legendary singer stopped the performance just two songs into the set.

According to reports from attendees and Vital Vegas, Manilow reportedly told the audience to

"Talk amongst yourselves"

— Barry Manilow

Official Confirmation and Health Struggles

Representatives for the musician and the venue confirmed the health setback in a statement provided to Variety, citing a sudden illness as the cause for the disrupted schedule.

"After a triumphant welcome-back concert on Thursday, Barry got hit with bronchitis and had to cancel his Friday and Saturday shows,"

— Representative for Barry Manilow and Westgate

This latest bout of illness follows a demanding period for the singer. After a busy summer run on his The Last Concerts farewell tour, Manilow announced a break in late August, stating that

"we were pushing a little too hard."

— Barry Manilow

Connection to Previous Cancer Battle

The diagnosis of bronchitis carries significant weight for the singer, as a previous bout with the illness led to a major health discovery. In December 2025, Manilow disclosed that he had been diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer after doctors ordered an MRI while he was recovering from a persistent respiratory infection.

"As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks,"

— Barry Manilow

He explained at the time that even though he had returned to the Westgate stage, his physician insisted on further testing to ensure his health was stable.

"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. That’s the good news."

— Barry Manilow

Following that discovery, Manilow underwent surgery to remove the cancerous spot. The recovery process repeatedly postponed the start of his Westgate residency, which was originally intended to begin in February 2026 but was pushed to May, then July, and finally October 2026.

Legacy and Residency Milestones

Recognized as one of the most successful recording artists in history, Manilow has sold more than 85 million records worldwide. His career in the Pop, jazz, and rock genres has been defined by a string of massive hits. He earned his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 with “Mandy” in 1975, followed by chart-toppers “I Write the Songs” and “Looks Like We Made It.” His catalog also includes enduring favorites such as “Copacabana (At the Copa)” and “Can’t Smile Without You.”

Manilow remains a prominent figure on the charts; his 2026 single “Once Before I Go” reached No. 25 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. His long-standing residency at the Westgate has further cemented his legacy in Las Vegas, where he surpassed Elvis Presley’s record for the most shows performed at the venue. The current residency is scheduled to run through April 2027.