Barry Manilow shared an emotional update this week on his difficult recovery from lung cancer surgery, admitting that his lack of patience has made healing feel like “agony” even as he celebrated a career milestone spanning over fifty years.

The 82-year-old Grammy winner posted a video on social media Tuesday, March 3, revealing that his new single “Once Before I Go” had entered the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart—marking his presence on the chart across six decades. His chart history dates back to November 1974, when “Mandy” first landed on the Adult Contemporary chart before hitting No. 1 on the Hot 100 in January 1975, launching one of pop music’s most enduring careers.

“It’s been a long ride and since I have no patience, it’s been agony,” Manilow said in the video. “But I am getting stronger. And I have great doctors and wonderful friends and family, but I am so looking forward to getting back on stage.”

The “Copacabana” singer announced his diagnosis in December 2025, sharing that doctors found a cancerous spot on his left lung during follow-up scans after an unusually long 11-week case of bronchitis. The early-stage discovery led to immediate surgery. Thankfully, the cancer had not spread, so he was spared chemotherapy and radiation—a relief he joked about, saying all he needed was “chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.”

Although determined to return to the stage, Manilow has encountered several delays during recovery. He postponed his January 2026 arena dates and later shifted his February and March shows, including his Valentine’s weekend Las Vegas performances. All concerts from Feb. 27 through March 17 have been moved, with his next expected show now scheduled for March 26 at the Westgate Las Vegas.

The disruption to his farewell tour has been particularly discouraging for the singer-songwriter, who has been pushing himself to regain stamina. Manilow said he walks on a treadmill three times a day, yet he still can’t sing more than three songs straight. His surgeon offered blunt guidance: his lungs simply weren’t ready for the demands of a 90-minute concert and he “wouldn’t make it through” the early arena dates.

Still, Manilow kept his trademark humor in Tuesday’s update. Appearing upbeat and strong, he joked about being “100 years old with a top ten single” and repeated his grandmother’s line that “next thing you know, they’ll be walking on the moon.”

“Once Before I Go” carries deep meaning for the music veteran. Clive Davis recommended the track, written by Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford and featured in the Broadway musical “The Boy From Oz” starring Hugh Jackman. Manilow has long admired the reflective ballad but felt he needed to reach this point in his life to perform it with the emotional depth it calls for.

The single’s success serves as a preview of Manilow’s upcoming album “What A Time,” which he proudly promoted in the video. He thanked Davis for suggesting the song, praised radio stations for supporting it, and expressed gratitude to fans for requesting it. Comments poured in from supporters relieved to see his progress and eager for his return.

This diagnosis marks Manilow’s second confrontation with cancer. In 2020, he faced throat cancer and underwent successful surgery, emerging with his vocal abilities notably intact—an extraordinary outcome for someone whose career relies on his voice. The later lung cancer discovery highlights the importance of early detection, a message Manilow has emphasized publicly.

Manilow’s influence on adult contemporary music dates back to the 1970s, with enduring hits such as “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” “I Write the Songs,” and “Looks Like We Made It.” His Las Vegas residency at the Westgate has become iconic, and his farewell tour marks the closing chapter of more than five decades of live performances. This April, he will receive the American Advertising Federation’s President’s Award at the Advertising Hall of Fame ceremony, recognizing his legendary commercial jingle work for brands such as State Farm, McDonald’s, and Pepsi.

As he continues to heal, Manilow’s resilience and determination have grown to be as central to his story as his musical legacy. He ended his video with a message full of gratitude and resolve: “So here’s to another century of making music together, my friends. All my love and gratitude.”