Barry Manilow Reveals Lung Cancer Diagnosis

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow — who spends much of his time in Palm Springs — announced Monday that he has lung cancer.

Using social media to share the diagnosis, the 82-year-old hitmaker said he recently battled weeks of bronchitis and received a doctor's order for an MRI of his lungs. The diagnostic imaging turned up a cancerous spot on his left lung, Manilow posted.

The singer said he will undergo surgery to remove the spot.

"It's pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early. ... The doctors do not believe it has spread and I'm taking tests to confirm their diagnosis," Manilow continued.

Sounding upbeat about the immediate future, Manilow wrote, "No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns."

Manilow recently performed a string of five concerts at McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert and was scheduled for more, though he is postponing the remainder due to his current medical condition.

The concerts are benefiting numerous organizations throughout the Coachella Valley, including Animal Samaritans, Boo2Bullying, Dap Health, Guide Dogs of the Desert, Lifestream Blood Bank, Manilow Music Project, Martha's Village and Kitchen, McCallum Theatre, and Oswit Land Trust.

With more than 85 million records sold worldwide as a solo artist, Manilow is one of the globe's bestselling artists. His career has spanned over 60 years, with hit songs like "Looks Like We Made It," "Mandy," "I Write the Songs," "Can't Smile Without You," and "Copacabana (At the Copa)," the latter of which he won a Grammy Award for.

Manilow has also written and performed songs for musicals, films, and commercials, and he's produced albums for other performers.

The singer spends most of his time at his sprawling Palm Springs residence, once gushing to the Hollywood Reporter that he loves the desert. "My life is so noisy, but it’s quiet here and it’s just beautiful," he said. "I wouldn’t live anywhere else."

Manilow has been in a long-term relationship with TV executive Garry Kief. The couple married in 2014. Manilow has a stepdaughter through his husband's previous marriage and an adopted granddaughter.