An 82-year-old performer faced lung cancer surgery after more than 50 years of constant performing, postponing live shows. The cancer had not spread, and treatment was successful. A new single titled “Once Before I Go” and its video appeared to suggest an ending, showing him leaving his Las Vegas residency quarters and reminiscing about old costumes. He said the video’s goodbye tone was not intentional. The song was written in the early 1980s by Peter Allen, and it was later recorded because he felt he was too young when he first heard it. He described the song as about ending a romance, even though it can sound personal. He released a new album and scheduled tour dates.
"In December, the 82-year-old singer announced he was about to undergo surgery for lung cancer, and postponed his planned live shows. Thankfully, the cancer had not spread and the treatment was successful. But around the same time he released a new single, ominously titled Once Before I Go. The accompanying video showed him saying goodbye to his palatial quarters at the Las Vegas Westgate resort, where he has had a residency for the past eight years, and wistfully reminiscing over old costumes, intercut with footage of him in his 80s prime."
"It sure looked as if he was shutting up shop. But no: That was just an accident, says Manilow of the video. Really? Yeah, we didn't do that on purpose. The song was actually written in the early 80s by veteran songwriter Peter Allen, he explains, but he felt he was too young to sing it when he first heard it. It's a beautiful song and it's got nothing to do with me. It's saying goodbye to a romance, you know. But it just so happened that it sounds like I'm talking about myself."
"Far from going anywhere, Manilow's got a new album out next week, and a string of new tour dates lined up. We're in Manilow's study at his hilltop home in Palm Springs, California. Its centrepiece is a black grand piano in front of a panoramic window, which looks out over the swimming pool area and across the city to the mountains beyond. The shelves are cluttered with awards and memorabilia (an Emmy serves as a doorstop), and plastering the walls are framed photographs of Manilow with various dignitaries."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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