Legendary singer cancels concert, talks to fans amid battle with brain cancer

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, actor and author Michael Bolton, 71, announced a concert cancellation as he battles brain cancer.

Bolton took to Instagram on Friday to announce that he would need more time to recover from a recent brain surgery and canceled his scheduled July 5 concert at London’s O2 Arena.

“You all know how much I was looking forward to this show but I am continuing to heal from surgery,” he wrote on his Instagram stories. “Thank you for all your love and positive energy over this past year. I am so grateful to have the most supportive fans in the world.”

On Jan. 5, 2024, Bolton announced on Instagram that he had a brain tumor and had to undergo emergency surgery.

“Just before the holidays, it was discovered that I had a brain tumor, which required immediate surgery,” Bolton wrote.

“For the next couple of months, I will be devoting my time and energy to my recovery which means I’ll have to take a temporary break from touring. It is always the hardest thing for me to ever disappoint my fans or postpone a show, but have no doubt I am working to accelerate my recovery and get back to performing soon. I am beyond grateful for all the love and support you have generously shown me through the years.”

In March, Bolton updated his fans through another Instagram post, letting them know that was “healing well and doing better everyday.”

In October the singer wrote to his fans on Facebook, “I’m so sad to have to cancel the upcoming shows but I’m just not quite 100% yet and I only want to give you my very best, so please bear with me as I continue my road to recovery. It is challenging and oftentimes frustrating because I just want to be out there performing for you but I need a little more time to build back my full strength and stamina.”

Bolton, who has reportedly sold more than 75 million albums across his long career, released two albums in 2023, “Spark of Light,” and “Christmas Time.”