TAKING A BREATHER

Music Icon, 83, Announces Tour Break After Canceling Shows

Singer Barry Manilow is taking a break from touring.

Barry Manilow is stepping away from the stage for several weeks after canceling recent Las Vegas performances because of “technical and vocal problems.” The 83-year-old music icon announced Tuesday that he would pause touring following a demanding summer schedule. “Hi everybody — Barry here,” Manilow wrote. “And I want you to be the first to know that we’re going to take a quick break.” The “Mandy” singer said he had completed 29 shows in 68 days but acknowledged the pace had been too much. “We just finished a fantastic summer tour,” he said. “But it seems that we were pushing a little too hard.” Manilow joked that it was time to rest before returning to the Westgate Las Vegas on Oct. 8. “Now we all need to sit down and shut up,” he said. “So, we’re going to take a break until we return to the Westgate Las Vegas on October 8th. When I’ll be singing like a bird.” The announcement follows his cancellation of two Vegas shows on Aug. 21 and 22. He also postponed a Kentucky concert earlier this month.