Barry Manilow fears his famous singing voice will never fully return after cancer recovery
Speaking on American television the music star admits his initial post-surgery sound check proved deeply upsetting
- Barry Manilow fears his singing voice may never fully return after cancer
- The star had surgery for early-stage lung cancer late last year
- He postponed his Las Vegas residency but was declared cancer-free in March
The legendary performer Barry Manilow has expressed deep uncertainty regarding whether his signature singing voice will ever completely return following his recovery from lung cancer.
The eighty-two-year-old musician initially shared his diagnosis late last year, revealing that he required immediate surgery to treat an early-stage form of the disease.
This unexpected medical emergency forced the veteran entertainer to delay his scheduled concert residency in Las Vegas.
Medical professionals officially declared the singer cancer-free in March. Despite this positive health update, Manilow confessed that his post-operative rehabilitation has proven far more arduous than he initially anticipated.
Emotional Sound Check
During a candid interview on the television programme Good Morning America, the star opened up about his current vocal limitations.
He stated, “My voice, I don’t know whether it’s coming back,” he said, before adding, “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.”
The pop icon openly acknowledged how distressing the entire ordeal has been, particularly because his passion to entertain live audiences remains undiminished.
He reflected on how he previously underestimated his natural musical gifts, noting that he now fully recognises the true value of his vocal cords.
He explained his shift in perspective, saying, “I’ve always taken my voice for granted. I don’t take it seriously. Now I do, because it doesn’t seem to be there the way it always was,” he added.
Future Touring Hopes
Notwithstanding the immense professional uncertainty hanging over his career, the beloved showman maintains hope that he can make a triumphant return to the stage if his throat muscles show improvement over the coming weeks.
Optimistic about his physical stamina, he remarked, “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!”
As it stands, current schedules indicate that Manilow is still expected to travel across the Atlantic to restart his live performances in the UK later this month.