LEXINGTON, Kentucky—Singer Barry Manilow canceled his scheduled concert at Rupp Arena in Lexington on Tuesday less than an hour before showtime, with organizers citing "unforeseen circumstances" and announcing that the performance would be rescheduled.
The announcement was posted on Manilow's official social media accounts roughly 45 minutes before the 7 p.m. local start time, after fans had already gathered at the downtown arena for the performance, part of his "The Last Concerts" farewell tour. Organizers said tickets purchased for the event would remain valid for the rescheduled date, which had not been announced as of Thursday.
Neither Manilow nor his representatives provided further details about the reason for the late cancellation.
The Lexington performance had already been postponed once earlier this year after the singer delayed several tour dates while recovering from surgery following a diagnosis of stage 1 lung cancer. At the time, Manilow said doctors had discovered a cancerous spot on his left lung during medical examinations after recurring respiratory issues. He underwent surgery and said the cancer had been detected early enough that chemotherapy and radiation were not required.
In recent interviews, the 83-year-old entertainer has spoken publicly about his recovery and the physical demands of returning to touring, saying his health challenges had changed his outlook while expressing gratitude that the disease was detected early.
The Lexington cancellation prompted messages of disappointment and support from fans on social media, many of whom had already arrived at the venue when the announcement was issued. Organizers did not indicate whether the decision was related to Manilow's health, and no official explanation beyond the reference to "unforeseen circumstances" was provided.
Manilow, whose career spans more than five decades, is known for hits including "Mandy," "Copacabana (At the Copa)," "Can't Smile Without You," and "I Write the Songs." His current arena tour has been billed as a farewell run through several U.S. cities.
As of Thursday, scheduled performances later this week, including concerts in Cincinnati and Baltimore, remained listed on venue schedules, and there had been no official announcement that additional dates would be canceled or postponed.
