Top > Entertainment > 2006 > August > 2006-08-30

Manilow Calls Off Concerts

The famous entertainment star and singer Barry Manilow, who is about to undergo surgery to repair torn cartilage in both of his hips, has cancelled a series of concerts in Las Vegas. According to an entertainment magazine, the 63-year-old music star called of three appearances scheduled for this weekend and told audiences he was in too much pain to continue. His condition had been "exacerbated by his high energy performances", as was stated by his publicist. Manilow had already called off 16 shows to coincide with his surgery.

However, the Copacabana singer did performed at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on 27 August, before having surgery in California. A statement on his website said he planned to return to his Las Vegas entertainment job in November following a period of "intensive recovery". "On behalf of Barry... we apologize for your inconvenience and the disappointment shared by us all," the statement said.

Earlier this year the veteran performer topped the US album charts for the first time in nearly 29 years. His latest album, The Greatest Songs of the Sixties, is released in mid-October and features cover versions of the Righteous Brothers` You`ve Lost That Lovin` Feeling and the Beatles` And I Love Her. Best known for hits like Mandy, Copacabana and Looks Like We Made It, Manilow has sold more than 70 million records worldwide.