Barry Manilow Reveals Lung Cancer Diagnosis Days After Palm Desert Charity Concerts

Barry Manilow announced this week he has been diagnosed with lung cancer, just days after wrapping up a sold-out run of charity concerts at McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert.

The 82-year-old singer and Coachella Valley resident said an MRI ordered after weeks of bronchitis discovered a cancerous spot on his left lung. Doctors plan to surgically remove it and do not believe it has spread.

"It's pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early," Manilow posted to social media. "No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns."

The diagnosis came right after Manilow completed five "A Gift of Love VII" performances Dec. 16-17 and Dec. 20-22 at McCallum Theatre. Now in its seventh year, the concert series has raised millions for Coachella Valley nonprofits, with this year's beneficiaries including 25 organizations such as Animal Samaritans, Martha's Village and Kitchen, Guide Dogs of the Desert and the Manilow Music Project.

McCallum Theatre CEO Yvonne Bell released a statement following the news: "The entire McCallum Theatre family now sends Barry our own gift of love following the news of his cancer diagnosis. Barry is a cherished friend of the McCallum, and we are confident that he will make a full recovery and be back on stage very soon, continuing to share his extraordinary talent with fans around the world."

Manilow will take about a month off from his farewell tour for surgery but says he plans to return to the stage in Las Vegas for Valentine's Day. The Grammy winner behind hits like "Mandy," "Copacabana" and "I Write the Songs" has been nominated 15 times throughout his career.