Barry Manilow Shares Struggle To Reclaim His Voice After Beating Lung Cancer

Barry Manilow has beaten stage 1 lung cancer, but the music icon is still unsure if he will be able to reclaim the stage.

The legendary star admitted that his battle against cancer depleted his energy and left him physically unable to perform in recent interview People. The famous singer underwent a lobectomy, which led to the removal of one of two lobes in his left lung. These lobes deliver oxygen to the bloodstream. (RELATED: Barry Manilow Reveals Cancer Diagnosis)

“My voice is coming back. My energy is coming back. But it’s not there yet because the shows that I do are full of energy,” Manilow told outlet. “And unless you’re in top-notch shape, you can’t make it through 90 minutes. And I know I, today, I couldn’t make it through 90 minutes.”

Manilow continued, “It’s beyond frustrating. It is sad that I cannot do what I love doing.”

Manilow said he has dabbled in music since overcoming cancer, but admitted, “I have not been as energetic as I have always been.”

“And I don’t like it, but my body just doesn’t want to get there yet,” he told People.

“I have to be able to do the kind of thing I’ve always done without this one lobe,” he said. The procedure took a toll on his body, but he hasn’t thrown in the towel just yet.

US singer-songwriter Barry Manilow performs during the Recording Academy and Clive Davis’ Salute To Industry Icons 50-Year Anniversary of the pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on February 1, 2025. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images)

Manilow told People he threw himself into vocal exercises and breathing lessons to regain traction.

“I have to learn how to breathe again,” he said.

“Isn’t that crazy? It’s beyond frustrating. It’s just sad that I cannot do what I love doing.”

Manilow is attempting to regain the weight he lost during treatment, and is working out on the treadmill multiple times a day to regain strength.

“I’m still going through it, but I’m pulling myself back together,” he said. ”

“I’m not even sure I can go to the next level yet. My body doesn’t want to take me there. It’s not even doctor’s orders, it’s my body’s orders — it won’t let me do it.”

The 82-year-old music icon postponed his farewell arena tour and was slated to come back April 12, but is unsure that will be a realistic return date.

US singer-songwriter Barry Manilow bows after performing during the Recording Academy and Clive Davis’ Salute To Industry Icons 50-Year Anniversary of the pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on February 1, 2025. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images)

“We’ll see if I can make it back,” Manilow said.

The star reflected on the outpouring of love and support he received from fans across the globe.

“This experience in the hospital was the deepest chapter I’ve ever had in my life,” he told People.

“There were that many people out there said the most beautiful things to me over and over. It should be a horrible experience and it was. But those notes and those, those people made it made it doable.”