Barry Manilow's return to the stage has hit another snag. The 83-year-old singer left his Friday night concert at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino after only two songs and called off Saturday's performance, with a representative blaming bronchitis, according to Consequence and Billboard.
The rep, who speaks for both the musician and the venue, gave Variety a statement: "After a triumphant welcome-back concert on Thursday, Barry got hit with bronchitis and had to cancel his Friday and Saturday shows."
What happened on Friday
Billboard reported that Manilow had only just come back to the International Theater on Thursday, Oct. 8, following a weeks-long break. On Friday he reportedly told the audience to talk among themselves, then did not return.
Per Vital Vegas, as cited by Billboard, the band played instrumental music before an announcement over the PA system said the show was finished. Attendees said they later received refund emails from Ticketmaster. Saturday's concert was canceled outright.
A difficult year for his schedule
The illness lands with extra weight. Manilow said in December 2025 that he had been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer, which Billboard reported was found when doctors ordered scans during his recovery from bronchitis. He later had surgery.
His recovery pushed back both his farewell tour dates and the start of his Westgate residency. The sources differ on the original start: Consequence put it in May, while Billboard said February. Billboard added that he returned to the stage and picked up his Westgate dates in July, then announced another break in late August after a demanding summer run, saying "we were pushing a little too hard."
Why it matters and what's next
Manilow has sold more than 85 million records worldwide, according to Billboard, and his first Hot 100 No. 1 was "Mandy" in 1975. He went on to three chart-toppers, including "I Write the Songs" and "Looks Like We Made It." His 2026 single "Once Before I Go" reached the top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Billboard also said his total of shows at the venue has passed Elvis Presley's record.
For an artist whose current run is built on a careful comeback, two lost nights in a single weekend underline how fragile the schedule remains. Manilow's team has not said whether further dates will be affected. The next show on the residency calendar is Oct. 15.
Reporting sources: Consequence, “Barry Manilow’s Vegas Comeback Derailed by Bronchitis” · Billboard, “Barry Manilow Walks Off Stage, Cancels Vegas Shows Due to Bronchitis”.