Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow

Manilow live in 2008 at the Xcel Energy Center.
Background information
Birth name Barry Alan Pincus
Born June 17, 1943 (1943-06-17) (age 67)
Brooklyn, New York City[1]
Genres Pop, soft rock
Occupations Singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor
Instruments Vocals, keyboards, accordion
Years active 1973–present
Labels
Website manilow.com

Barry Manilow (born June 17, 1943) is an American singer–songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana (At the Copa)."

In 1978, five of his albums were on the best-selling charts simultaneously, a feat equalled only by Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Johnny Mathis. He has recorded a string of Billboard hit singles and multi-platinum albums that have resulted in his being named Radio & Records number one Adult Contemporary artist and winning three straight American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist. Several well-known entertainers have given Manilow their "stamp of approval," including Sinatra, who was quoted in the 1970s regarding Manilow, "He's next." In 1988, Bob Dylan stopped Manilow at a party, hugged him and said, "Don't stop what you're doing, man. We're all inspired by you."[2]

As well as producing and arranging albums for other artists, such as Bette Midler and Dionne Warwick, Manilow has written songs for musicals, films, and commercials. Since February 2005, he had been the headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton, and had performed hundreds of shows before he called time on his 5-year association, performing his last show on December 30, 2009. From March 2010, he has headlined at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.

Contents

Early life

Manilow was born Barry Alan Pincus to Harold Pincus and Edna Manilow. His mother's family was Jewish, while his father, who was often known by the surname "Keliher", was born to a [Irish/American} father and Jewish mother. Manilow was raised in northern Brooklyn, attending nearby Eastern District High School. After his high school graduation in 1961, Manilow enrolled at Juilliard performing arts school, while working at CBS to pay his expenses. At CBS in 1964 Manilow met Bro Herrod, a director, who asked him to arrange some songs for a musical adaptation of the melodrama, The Drunkard. Instead, Manilow wrote an entire original score.[3] Herod used his composition in the off-Broadway musical, which enjoyed an eight year run at New York's 13th Street Theatre.[4] Manilow then earned money by working as a pianist, producer, and arranger.

During this time he began to work as a commercial jingle writer,[5] an activity that continued well into the 1970s. Many of those he penned he would also perform, including State Farm Insurance ("Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there..."), and Band-Aid ("I am stuck on Band-Aid, 'cause Band-Aid's stuck on me!". His singing-only credits include Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, and the famed McDonald's "You Deserve a Break Today" campaign.[6] Manilow won 2 Clio Awards in 1976 for his work for Tab and Band-Aid.[7]

By 1967, Manilow was the musical director for the WCBS-TV series Callback, which premiered on January 27, 1968. He next conducted and arranged for Ed Sullivan's production company, arranging a new theme for The Late Show, while still writing, producing, and singing his radio and television jingles. At the same time, he and Jeanne Lucas performed as a duo for a two-season run at New York's Upstairs at the Downstairs club.[8]

Career

1970s: Success

Manilow's well-known association with Bette Midler began at the Continental Baths in New York City.[9] He accompanied her and other artists on the piano from 1970 to 1971, and Midler chose him to assist with the production of her first two albums, The Divine Miss M (1972) and Bette Midler (1973), and act as her musical director on The Divine Miss M tour.[10] Manilow worked with Midler for four years, from 1971 to 1975. In 1974, Bell Records released Manilow's first album, Barry Manilow, which offered an eclectic mix of piano-driven pop and guitar-driven rock music, including a song that Manilow had composed for the 1972 war drama Parades.

Among other songs on the album were "Cloudburst", and "Could It Be Magic." The latter's music was based on Chopin's "Prelude in C Minor, Opus 28, Number 20", and provided Donna Summer with one of her major hits. (It was also covered by Take That in the 1990s, as an up-beat disco version of the song. Take That have since performed Manilow's original version in their Beautiful World Tour.) When Manilow's record company, Bell Records, merged with other labels, new entity Arista Records formed. Under the auspices of its head Clive Davis, many artists were dropped. Davis was reassured by the Manilow acquisition after seeing him perform as the opening act at a Dionne Warwick concert.

The partnership began to gain traction in 1974, with the release of Manilow's second album, Barry Manilow II, on Bell Records (and later reissued on Arista), which contained the breakthrough number-one hit, "Mandy". Manilow had not wanted to record "Mandy" (originally titled "Brandy", written and recorded by Scott English) — but the song was included at the insistence of Davis. Following the success of Barry Manilow II, the first Bell Records album release was re-mixed and re-issued on Arista Records as Barry Manilow I. When Manilow went on his first tour, he included in his show, "A Very Strange Medley", a sampling of some of the commercial jingles that he had written or sung. Beginning with Manilow's March 22, 1975, appearance on American Bandstand to promote the second album, a productive friendship with Dick Clark started.[11] Numerous appearances by Manilow on Clark's productions of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, singing his original seasonal favorite "It's Just Another New Year's Eve", American Bandstand anniversary shows, American Music Awards performances and his 1985 television movie Copacabana are among their projects together.

"Mandy" was the start of a string of hit singles and albums that lasted through the rest of the 1970s to the early 1980s, coming from the multi-platinum and multi-hit albums Tryin' to Get the Feeling, This One's for You, Even Now and One Voice. Despite being a songwriter in his own right, several of Manilow's commercial successes were with songs by others. Among hits he did not write are "Mandy," "Tryin’ to Get the Feeling Again", "Weekend in New England" (by Randy Edelman), Looks Like We Made It," "Can't Smile Without You" and "Ready to Take a Chance Again". Ironically, another Manilow did not write was his number 1 "I Write The Songs" (by Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys). According to album liner notes, Manilow did, however, co-produce them with Ron Dante and arrange them.

Manilow's breakthrough in Britain came with the release of Manilow Magic – The Best Of Barry Manilow, also known as Greatest Hits. On its initial release it was marketed with a large television campaign, by the mail order label, "Teledisc". In the late 1970s and early 1980s, ABC aired four variety television specials starring and executive produced by Manilow. The Barry Manilow Special with Penny Marshall as his guest premiered on March 2, 1977 to an audience of 37 million. The breakthrough special was nominated for four Emmys and won in the category of "Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Special".[12] The Second Barry Manilow Special in 1978, with Ray Charles as his guest, was also nominated for four Emmys.[12]

Manilow in 1979

Manilow's "Ready To Take a Chance Again" originated in the film Foul Play, which also featured "Copacabana", from his 4th studio album "Even Now." [13] "Ready To Take A Chance Again" was nominated that year for the "Best Original Song" Oscar.[14] Copacabana would later take the form of a musical television movie, starring Manilow, and three musical plays. On February 11, 1979, a concert from Manilow's sold-out dates at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California aired on HBO series Standing Room Only, which was the first pay-television show to pose a serious challenge to network primetime specials in the ratings. From the same tour in 1978, a one-hour special from Manilow's sold out concert at the Royal Albert Hall aired in the UK.

On May 23, 1979, ABC aired The Third Barry Manilow Special, with John Denver as his guest. This special was nominated for two Emmy awards and won for "Outstanding Achievement in Choreography".[12] Also in 1979, Manilow produced Dionne Warwick's "comeback" album Dionne, her first to go platinum. He scored a top ten hit of his own in the fall of 1979 with the song "Ships" (written by Ian Hunter, former lead singer of Mott the Hoople) from the album "One Voice."

1980s

The 1980s gave Manilow the adult contemporary chart-topping songs "The Old Songs", "Somewhere Down the Road", "Read 'Em and Weep" (by Meat Loaf collaborator Jim Steinman) and a remake of the 1941 Jule Styne and Frank Loesser standard "I Don't Want to Walk Without You." Manilow continued having high radio airplay throughout the decade. In the UK, Manilow had five sold-out performances at Royal Albert Hall. In the United States, at Radio City Music Hall (1984) his 10-night run set a box-office sales record of nearly $2 million, making him the top draw in the then 52-year history of the venue.[15] In 1980, Manilow's One Voice special, with Dionne Warwick as his guest, was nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction".[12]

Also in 1980, a concert from Manilow's sold-out shows at England's Wembley Arena was broadcast while he was on a world tour. Manilow released the self-titled Barry (1980), which was his first album to not reach the top ten in the United States, stopping at #15. The album contained "I Made It Through The Rain" (originally a minor hit for its writer, Gerard Kenny) and "Bermuda Triangle." The album If I Should Love Again followed in 1981, containing "The Old Songs," "Let's Hang On," and "Somewhere Down The Road." This was the first of his own albums that Manilow produced without Ron Dante, who had co-produced all the previous albums. Manilow's sold-out concert at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in Pittsburgh aired nationally on Showtime, and locally on Philadelphia's now-defunct PRISM. In 1982, a concert from his sold out Royal Albert Hall show was broadcast in England. The live album and video Barry Live in Britain also came from his Royal Albert Hall shows.

On August 27, 1983, Manilow performed a landmark open air concert at Blenheim Palace in Britain. It was the first such event ever held at that venue and was attended by a conservative estimate of 40,000 people. This concert was also taped for airing on Showtime. In December 1983, Manilow was reported to have endowed the music departments at six major universities in the United States and Canada.[16] The endowments were part of a continuing endeavor by Manilow to recognize and encourage new musical talent.[17]

In 1984 Manilow released 2:00 AM Paradise Cafe, a jazz/blues collection of original barroom tunes recorded in one live take in the studio. That same year, Showtime aired a documentary of Manilow recording the album with a number of jazz legends, such as Sarah Vaughn and Mel Tormé. In 1984 and 1985, England aired two one-hour concert specials from his National Exhibition Centre (NEC) concerts. In 1985, Manilow left Arista Records for RCA Records. There he released the pop album Manilow, and began a phase of international music, as he performed songs and duets in French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese, among other languages. The Manilow album was a complete about face from the Paradise Cafe album, containing a number of tracks of a modern uptempo and synthesized quality. In 1985, Japan aired a Manilow concert special where he played "Sakura" on the koto.

In his only lead acting role, he portrayed Tony Starr in a 1985 CBS film based on Copacabana, alongside Annette O'Toole as Lola Lamarr and Joseph Bologna as Rico. Manilow penned all the songs for the movie, with lyrics provided by established collaborators Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman, and released Copacabana: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Album on RCA Records. In October 1986, Manilow, along with Bruce Sussman, Tom Scott, and Charlie Fox, went to Washington, D.C. for two days of meetings with legislators, including lunch with then Senator Al Gore (D-TN).[18] They were there to lobby against a copyright bill put forward by local television broadcasters that would mandate songwriter-producer source licensing of theme and incidental music on syndicated television show reruns and would disallow use of the blanket license now in effect. The songwriters said without the blanket license, artists would have to negotiate up front with producers individually, without knowing if a series would be a success. The license now pays according to a per-use formula. Manilow said that such a bill would act as a precedent for broadcasters to get rid of the blanket license entirely.[19]

The following year, McGraw-Hill published his autobiography, Sweet Life: Adventures on the Way to Paradise, which had taken him about three years to complete. While promoting the work, Manilow defended his music in a telephone interview: "I live in laid-back L.A., but in my heart, I'm an energetic New Yorker and that's what has always come out of my music. I've always been surprised when the critics said I made wimpy little ballads".[20] Manilow returned to Arista Records in 1987 with the release of Swing Street. The album, a mixture of traditional after-dark and techno jazz, contained "Brooklyn Blues," an autobiographical song for Manilow, and "Hey Mambo," an uptempo Latin style duet with Kid Creole, produced with the help of Emilio Estefan, Jr., founder of Miami Sound Machine.

In March 1988, CBS aired Manilow's Big Fun on Swing Street special. It featured songs and special guests from his Swing Street and 2:00 AM Paradise Cafe albums, including Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Phyllis Hyman, Stanley Clarke, Carmen McRae, Tom Scott, and Uncle Festive, a band within Manilow's band at the time. The special was nominated for two Emmys in technical categories, and won in the category of "Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety or Music program".[21]

In 1988, he performed "Please Don't Be Scared" and "Mandy/Could It Be Magic" at That's What Friends Are For: AIDS Concert '88, a benefit concert for the Warwick Foundation headed by Dionne Warwick and shown on Showtime a few years later. In the 1988 Walt Disney Pictures animated feature Oliver & Company, Bette Midler's character sang a new Manilow composition called "Perfect Isn't Easy." The 1989 release of Barry Manilow, which contained "Please Don't Be Scared," "Keep Each Other Warm," and "The One That Got Away," ended Manilow's streak of albums of original self-written material (he neither wrote nor arranged any of the songs except for two) and began a phase of his recording career consisting of covers and compilations.[22]

From April 18 to June 10, 1989, Manilow put on a show called Barry Manilow at the Gershwin, making 44 appearances[23] at the Gershwin Theatre (also known as the Uris Theatre), where, by coincidence, he recorded Barry Manilow Live in 1976. A best-selling 90-minute video of the same show was released the following year as Barry Manilow Live On Broadway. The Showtime one-hour special Barry Manilow SRO on Broadway consisted of edited highlights from this video. Manilow followed this set of shows with a world tour of the Broadway show.

1990s

In the 1990s, Manilow released a number of cover tunes. It started with the 1989 release Barry Manilow, continued with his 1990 Christmas LP Because It's Christmas. Consequent "event" albums followed including: Showstoppers, a collection of Broadway songs (1991), Singin' with the Big Bands (1994) and a late 1970s collection Summer of '78 (1996) which included the hit "I Go Crazy", formerly a hit for Paul Davis in 1978. The decade ended with Manilow recording a tribute to Frank Sinatra Manilow Sings Sinatra (1998) released months after Sinatra's death.

In 1990, Japan aired National Eolia Special: Barry Manilow On Broadway where he sang the title song "Eolia", which was used as a song there in a commercial for an air conditioner company of the same name, as well as other songs from his 1989–1990 Live on Broadway tour. In the early 1990s, Manilow signed on with Don Bluth to compose the songs with lyricists Jack Feldman and Bruce Sussman for three animated films. He co-wrote the Broadway-style musical scores for Thumbelina (1994) and The Pebble and the Penguin (1995). The third film, entitled Rapunzel, was shelved after the poor performance of Pebble. Manilow was also to be cast as the voice of a cricket. Manilow also composed the score and wrote two songs with Bruce Sussman for Disney Sing Along Songs: Let's Go To The Circus.

On February 19, 1992, Manilow testified before the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration House Committee in support of H.R. 3204 The Audio Home Recording Act of 1991.[24] The bill was signed into law on October 28, 1992 by President George H. W. Bush. The Act, a historic compromise between the consumer electronics and music industries, became effective immediately. In 1993, PBS aired, as a fundraiser, Barry Manilow: The Best of Me, which was taped at Wembley Arena in England earlier that same year. The BBC also played a one-hour version of the same show including "The Best of Me", sung during the concert, as a bonus song or "lucky strike extra" as Manilow says, not seen in The Greatest Hits...and then some, the video release of the show; however, the song was included on the DVD of the same title, with Manilow seated in front of a black curtain, lip-syncing to the recording. Manilow branched out in another direction and, with long-time lyricist Bruce Sussman, launched Copacabana, a musical play based on previous Manilow-related adaptations. They wrote new songs and it ran for two years on the London West End, and a tour company formed.

In December 1996, A&E aired Barry Manilow: Live By Request, the first of his two Live By Request appearances. The broadcast was A&E's most successful music program, attracting an estimated 2.4 million viewers. The show was also simulcast on the radio. In March 1997, VH-1 aired Barry Manilow: The Summer of '78, a one-hour special of Manilow solo at the piano being interviewed and playing his greatest hits as well as songs from Summer of '78 his latest release at the time. In another collaboration between Manilow and Sussman they co-wrote the musical Harmony, which previewed October 7 to November 23, 1997 at the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, California.[25] Later in 2003, Harmony was originally scheduled for a tryout run in Philadelphia before going to Broadway, but was canceled after financial difficulties. After a legal battle with Mark Schwartz, the show's producer, Manilow and Sussman in 2005 won back the rights to the musical.[26]

On October 23, 1999, NBC aired the two-hour special StarSkates Salute to Barry Manilow taped at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada featuring numerous figure skaters performing to Manilow's music. Manilow also performed.

2000s

In the year 2000, Manilow had two specials, Manilow Country and Manilow Live!, taped over two consecutive days at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, Tennessee. On April 11, 2000, The Nashville Network (TNN) aired the two-hour Manilow Country, which featured country stars Trisha Yearwood, Neal McCoy, Deana Carter, Jo Dee Messina, Lorrie Morgan, Kevin Sharp, Lila McCann, Gillian Welch and Jaci Velasquez singing their favorite Manilow hits with a "country" twist; Manilow also performed. This "special" was TNN's first High Definition (HD) broadcast and became one of TNN's highest rated concert specials.

In June 2000, DirectTV aired the two-hour concert special Manilow Live! where Manilow had his band, a 30-piece orchestra, and a choir. This HDTV special documented the concert tour at the time with the greatest hits of his career and was also released to video. Also that year, he worked with Monica Mancini on her Concord album The Dreams of Johnny Mercer which included seven songs Manilow wrote to Mercer's lyrics. Meanwhile, Manilow's record contract with Arista Records was not renewed due to new management. He then got a contract at Concord Records, a jazz-oriented label in California, and started work on the long-anticipated concept album, Here at the Mayflower. The album was another eclectic mix of styles, almost entirely composed and produced by Manilow himself.

Barry Manilow live in 2008 during a 1960s sketch

While Manilow was at Concord Records, the Barry Manilow Scholarship was awarded for four consecutive years from 2002 to 2005 to the six highest-achieving students to reward excellence in the art and craft of lyric writing. The UCLA Extension course "Writing Lyrics That Succeed and Endure," taught by long time Manilow collaborator, Marty Panzer, and each student received three additional "master class" advanced sessions as well as a three-hour private, one-on-one session with Mr. Panzer. Scholarship recipients were selected by the instructor based on progress made within the course, lyric writing ability, and the instructor's assessment of real potential in the field of songwriting.[27] In February 2002, Manilow returned to the charts when Arista released a greatest hits album, Ultimate Manilow. On May 18, 2002, Manilow returned to CBS with Ultimate Manilow, his first special at the network since his Big Fun on Swing Street special in 1988. The special was filmed in the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California and was nominated for an Emmy in the category of "Outstanding Music Direction".[21]

Produced by Manilow, Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook was first released on September 30, 2003. It was the first time that Bette Midler had worked with Barry in more than twenty years. Instantly successful, the album went gold and they worked together again on a 2005 follow-up album entitled Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook. On December 3, 2003, A&E aired A Barry Manilow Christmas: Live by Request, his second of two concerts for the series. The two-hour special had Manilow taking requests for Christmas songs performed live with a band and an orchestra. Manilow told the audience that he was what Clay Aiken was going to look like in thirty years, thus acknowledging an ongoing comparison between the two. Also on the special were guests Cyndi Lauper, Jose Feliciano, and Bette Midler (Midler, busy preparing her own tour in LA, appeared only in a pre-taped segment).

2004 brought the release of two albums. These were, consecutively, a live album, 2 Nights Live! (BMG Strategic Marketing Group, 2004), and Scores: Songs from Copacabana & Harmony, an album of Manilow singing songs from his musicals. Scores was the last of Manilow's creative projects with the Concord label.

Barry Manilow at the keyboard, live in 2008

During his third appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show on September 15, 2004, Winfrey announced that Manilow is one of the most requested guests of all time on her show. On the show he promoted his One Night Live! One Last Time! tour. It was around this time period where Manilow appeared for the first time on the mainstream FOX program American Idol in which his back-up singer, Debra Byrd, doubles as voice coach on the series. Manilow also appeared on Clay Aiken's TV special, A Clay Aiken Christmas.

Las Vegas Hilton executives in a press conference with Manilow on December 14, 2004 announced his signing to a long-term engagement as the house show.[28] In March 2006, Manilow's engagement was extended through 2008.[29]

Manilow returned to Arista Records under Davis for a new covers album, released January 31, 2006, called The Greatest Songs of the Fifties. Manilow said he was blown away with the idea, which Davis presented to him when he visited his Las Vegas show. "When he suggested this idea to me, I slapped my forehead and said, 'Why hasn't anyone thought of this idea?'" Manilow said.[30] It was an unexpected success, debuting at number one in the Billboard 200, marking the first time a Manilow album debuted at the top of the album chart as well as the first time a Manilow album has reached number one in 29 years. It was eventually certified Platinum in the U.S., and sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

In March 2006, PBS aired Barry Manilow: Music and Passion, a Hilton concert taped exclusively for the network's fundraising drive. Manilow was nominated for two Emmys, winning for "Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program". A sequel album to his best-selling fifties tribute album, The Greatest Songs of the Sixties was released on October 31, 2006 including songs such as "And I Love Her" and "Can't Help Falling in Love". It nearly repeated the success of its predecessor, debuting at #2 in the Billboard 200.

Manilow live in 2008 at the Xcel Energy Center

In January 2007, Manilow returned to his hometown of New York City for three shows at Madison Square Garden. One highlight was the showing onscreen of Manilow performing in one of his first television appearances while the "live" Manilow played along onstage.

The same year saw him playing several shows on the east coast of the United States in August. Four more took place in December, half in the NY tri-state area in Uniondale and East Rutherford, and 2 in Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit. Manilow launched another short tour in early 2008, visiting several large venues including the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. A further album in the decades themed series went on release September 18, 2007. Barry Manilow: Songs from the Seventies, a PBS concert special based on the work, was taped in Manilow's home town, Brooklyn, October 2007. The show aired on PBS December 2007 and was rebroadcast over New Year 2009. He appeared on American Idol on February 3, 2009 during Hollywood Week to give advice to the contestants.

In October 2009, Manilow TV, a monthly video subscription service, launched. Once a month, Barry Manilow picks a different concert from his personal archive to show to subscribers. The first month, Episode #1, showed performances from April 20 & 21, 1996 at Wembley Arena in London.

It is confirmed as of October 7, 2009 that Manilow will be concluding his Resident show at the Hilton "Ultimate Manilow The Hits" on December 30, 2009. Manilow opened his new show "Manilow Paris Las Vegas" at the Paris Hotel & Casino at Las Vegas in March, 2010.[31]

2010s

On January 26, 2010 Manilow released his new album The Greatest Love Songs of all Time.

'Barry Manilow's newest CD "15 Minutes" is in the works. There has been no release date yet at this time.

Newsmakers

Throughout his career, Barry Manilow has made media headlines on various subjects from his health to crashing his Range Rover.

On October 25, 1978, one hour before his scheduled debut at the Olympia Theatre he fractured his ankle.[32] Manilow was rushed to a doctor who taped the injury minutes before he stepped onstage. Manilow insisted on going on and doing his complete show, which included an intricate disco dance in the popular "Copacabana" production number.[33]

On February 4, 1982 Manilow, who was bedridden in a Paris hotel with bronchial pneumonia, had been ordered by doctors to cancel a nine-concert European tour; he had fallen ill earlier that week following completion of the month-long United Kingdom leg of the tour.[34] He was ordered to remain in bed for at least a week and would probably return to his Los Angeles home when he was able to travel, said publicist Heidi Ellen Robinson.[35]

In 1989 an American tabloid claimed he was engaged to porn star Robin Byrd. On a June 22, 1989 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Manilow was asked by Carson about the headline story.[36] He disputed the story telling Carson he is just friends with Byrd and an innocent picture was taken and that there is no truth to them being engaged. After he met Byrd, his band gave him a videotape of Debbie Does Dallas as a present for his birthday. Manilow added to Carson that he can't watch his friend doing that.[37]

To help with the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 which affected the Charleston, South Carolina, area, Manilow held a benefit concert November 12, 1989 at the University of South Carolina's Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, where the $10 tickets sold out in three hours, and asked concertgoers to bring canned food to be donated to residents in disaster areas.[38] Before his concert, Mayor T. Patton Adams named that day "Barry Manilow Day" and Manilow presented the Red Cross and the Salvation Army with checks of $42,500 each.[39]

On February 27, 1992, Manilow was the Master of Ceremonies for friend Elizabeth Taylor's 60th birthday bash at Disneyland in Anaheim, California and sang "I Made It Through the Rain" to Taylor who was accompanied by her eighth husband, Larry Fortensky.[40]

On January 15, 1994, 3 hours before showtime Manilow canceled a performance at an Ethnic Pride and Heritage Festival hosted at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Benefactors included the Community Foundation of New Jersey as well as United Hospitals Medical Center Foundation and Newark Museum in Newark during the pre-inaugural activities for then New Jersey Governor-elect Christie Whitman. Manilow said in a statement that he was specifically told in writing the concert would be part of a non-partisan event.[41] Organizers approached Donald Trump who shuffled his entertainment schedule at Trump Plaza and dispatched Paul Anka to substitute for Manilow. Manilow refunded the cash advance paid, shortly afterward.[42]

In March 1996, Manilow had photorefractive keratectomy eye surgery on one of his eyes.[43] People Weekly, in their June 26, 2000 issue, reported that Manilow had eye surgery done by Los Angeles doctor Robert K. Maloney, but incorrectly stated it was LASIK. Manilow is quoted saying he now connects with the audience instead of "seeing a blur."[44][45]

On June 26, 1997, Manilow was diagnosed with bronchitis before a scheduled performance in Austin, Texas, his spokeswoman Susan Dubow said the following day.[46] Four other shows also had to be postponed. Manilow was back on the road that July 8 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dubow said this is only the second time in Manilow's career that illness forced him to postpone a performance.[47]

On January 31, 2004, Manilow was treated for stress-related chest pains during a 24-hour stay at the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California. Manilow was rushed to the hospital after two days of arbitration in a lawsuit where he was fighting to win back the rights to the original stage musical Harmony from producer Mark Schwartz. Manilow was diagnosed with an atrial fibrillation. After his heart rate returned to normal, doctors permitted him to return home.[48]

In what is called a "Platinum Package," Manilow offers fans a pre-concert meet-and-greet, champagne and photo session with front row seats, for a price: $1,500 each (the money goes to Manilow's foundation). Formerly, each participant was allowed to do this just once (Manilow's people did keep track). However, in recent years, his management has allowed repeaters: now it's once per person per year.[49]

To help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, for every US dollar donated by his fans to the American Red Cross through the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope website, Manilow personally matched, and the fund itself also matched, tripling the original donation. The fund delivered $150,000 in less than 48 hours to the American Red Cross, and hoped to raise a grand total of $300,000.[50][51] On July 14, 2005 Manilow appeared on Larry King Live whereby the host alluded to the star's hushed social life. Manilow stated that he would hope fans concentrated on his music.

Manilow made headlines in June 2006 when Australian officials blasted his music between 9pm until midnight every Friday, Saturday and Sunday to deter gangs of youths from congregating in a residential area late at night.[52] On July 18, 2006, Manilow released a tongue-in-cheek statement saying that the youths might like his music.[53]

On August 29, 2006, Manilow had hip surgery at a Southern California hospital. According to his press release, he tore the labrum (cartilage) in both hips. When the symptoms of extreme pain and discomfort did not go away following preliminary treatment, an MRI arthogram was performed and the labrum tears were discovered.[54]

Manilow's first appearance back from the surgery took place at a concert in Atlantic City, with Barry springing forth from in a golden wheelchair and holding his 2006 Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.

Discography

Awards

Selected TV and movie appearances

Barry Manilow at the premiere of The Rose (starring Bette Midler), November 7, 1979

References

  1. ↑ http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Barry_Manilow.html
  2. ↑ Patricia Butler, Barry Manilow, Omnibus Press, 2002. p. 223.
  3. ↑ Music Theatre International. "The Drunkard". Press release. http://www.mtishows.com/show_history.asp?ID=000033. Retrieved 2007-03-01. 
  4. ↑ SouthCoastToday.com (July 26, 2006). "A spirited musical: Clap, hiss and sing along as MAC stages historical temperance play scored by a young Barry Manilow". Press release. http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/07-06/07-27-06/02coastin.htm. Retrieved 2007-03-01. 
  5. ↑ BarryNet – His Music – Commercial Jingles, [1], accessed December 5, 2006
  6. ↑ Manilow, Barry (1975). "Jingle Letter". Scooter Talk. http://phillipsphiles.blogspot.com/2008/05/scooter-talk-blog-manilow-flashback_2316.html. Retrieved January 15, 2007. 
  7. ↑ BarryNet – The Man – Honors and Awards, [2], accessed December 5, 2006
  8. ↑ Barry Manilow Keeps Flying High Critics? 'They Really Can't Hurt Me', Tulsa World, January 21, 1983
  9. ↑ Barry Manilow
  10. ↑ Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M Tour (1972–73)
  11. ↑ TV.com American Bandstand with Barry Manilow/Minnie Riperton on March 22, 1975, accessed December 18, 2006
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, [3], accessed November 8, 2006
  13. ↑ BarryNet – The Man – At The Movies, [4], accessed November 2, 2006
  14. ↑ The Official Academy Awards Database, [5], accessed November 18, 2006
  15. ↑ People, The Dallas Morning News, November 3, 1984
  16. ↑ Newsmakers, The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 1, 1983
  17. ↑ Peopletalk, The Valley Independent, December 1, 1983
  18. ↑ The longest shot; measuring Al Gore Jr. for the White House – Albert Gore Jr, Washington Monthly, November 1986
  19. ↑ Manilow: Bill Would Spell Disaster – Star Reacts To Source Licensing Moves, Billboard, October 11, 1986
  20. ↑ Barry Manilow swings on album – and at critics, Chicago Sun-Times, November 29, 1987
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, [6], accessed November 9, 2006
  22. ↑ BARRY MANILOW (1989)
  23. ↑ Internet Broadway Database
  24. ↑ House Testimony for Home Recording Act, February 19, 1992
  25. ↑ La Jolla Playhouse HARMONY – 1997, accessed December 20, 2006
  26. ↑ DIS-'HARMONY', New York Post, July 22, 2005
  27. ↑ Lyricists Compete for Barry Manilow Scholarship at UCLA Extension, Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI)
  28. ↑ Las Vegas Hilton Signs Barry Manilow to Long-Term Engagement, PRNewswire, December 14, 2004
  29. ↑ "Las Vegas Hilton and Barry Manilow celebrate chart success by announcing extension of Manilow's successful long-term engagement; superstar receives "Key" to the Hilton, his exclusive home through 2008", Las Vegas Hilton Press Room, March 27, 2006
  30. ↑ Barry Manilow Croons For ET, Entertainment Tonight, January 27, 2006
  31. ↑ "Manilow Paris Las Vegas: The Show". Accessed January 7, 2010
  32. ↑ Pop Notes, Washington Post, November 3, 1978
  33. ↑ Paris Report, Teen Stars Today, February 1979
  34. ↑ PNEUMONIA ENDS MANILOW'S EUROPEAN TOUR, Associated Press, February 8, 1982
  35. ↑ People in the News, The Capital, February 5, 1982
  36. ↑ [7] The Official Tonight Show Website: Guest Search 6/22/89
  37. ↑ Robin Byrd with Barry Manilow
  38. ↑ BARRY MANILOW CONCERT SCHEDULED BENEFIT PERFORMANCE TO RAISE MONEY FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT, The Charlotte Observor, October 9, 1989
  39. ↑ FOR A SONG, The State, November 13, 1989
  40. ↑ TAYLOR CELEBRATES 60TH AT MICKEY MOUSE PARTY, Associated Press, February 29, 1992
  41. ↑ "Manilow Passes On Gala". Palm Beach Post. January 17, 1994. http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/PBPB/lib00161,0EAF86CE9819E992.html. 
  42. ↑ "Manilow Mix-Up Resolved". Philadelphia Inquirer. February 12, 1994. http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/PI/lib00187,0EB2A5C08884B35A.html. 
  43. ↑ BEYOND GLASSES!, The Consumer's Guide To Laser Vision Correction, 1996
  44. ↑ The Eyes Have It, People Weekly, June 26, 2000
  45. ↑ Singer Manilow Enjoys the Benefits of LASIK, Vision Service Plan, October 2005
  46. ↑ People, Contra Costa Times, June 29, 1997
  47. ↑ BRONCHITIS CAUSES MANILOW TO POSTPONE FIVE PERFORMANCES, The Buffalo News, June 29, 1997
  48. ↑ Manilow Returns Home Following Hospital Stay for 'Broken Heart', PRNewswire, February 2, 2004
  49. ↑ Barry Manilow: Music and Passion, LasVegas.BroadwayWorld.com, August 2, 2006
  50. ↑ Manilow Fund Set To Triple Aid For Hurricane Katrina Relief, PRNewswire, September 3, 2005
  51. ↑ Barry Manilow and Manilow Fund Matching Donations For Hurricane Katrina Relief
  52. ↑ "Barry Manilow Annoyed that his Music May Annoy Others". World Entertainment News. July 18, 2006. http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/07/18/barry_manilow_annoyed_that_his_music_may/. 
  53. ↑ Manilow, Barry (July 18, 2006). "Barry's Response to Australia's Plan –". BarryNet. http://www.barrynethomepage.com/bmnet000_060718.shtml. 
  54. ↑ Singer Barry Manilow to Have Hip Surgery
  55. ↑ Kentucky Colonels, Honorable Order of. "Colonels website". Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. http://kycolonels.org/index.cgi?id=54. Retrieved 2009-12-21. 
  56. ↑ "Cilla Black Discography: You'll Never Walk Alone (duet with Barry Manilow) – Single". http://www.cillablack.com/music-youllneverwalkalone-single.htm. Retrieved 21 May 2009 (2009-05-21). 
  57. ↑ Fans cheer Barry Manilow

External links

Barry Manilow
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Compilations
Greatest Hits · Manilow Magic: 16 Of Barry's Greatest Songs · Greatest Hits Vol. II · The Manilow Collection: Twenty Classic Hits · Grandes Exitos en Español · Especial · Greatest Hits Volume I (1989) · Greatest Hits Volume II (1989) · Greatest Hits Volume III (1989) · The Songs 1975-1990 · Eolia: Love Songs · The Complete Collection and Then Some... · Greatest Hits: The Platinum Collection · From Manilow To Mexico · Ultimate Manilow · The Essential Barry Manilow · Hallmark's The Very Best Of Barry Manilow · TIME/LIFE's Barry Manilow Classics
Soundtracks
Foul Play · Barry Manilow in Copacabana · Thumbelina · Copacabana: London Cast Recording · The Pebble and the Penguin
With Bette Midler
The Divine Miss M · Bette Midler · Oliver & Company · Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook · Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook
With others
Lady Flash: Beauties In The Night · Phyllis Hyman: Somewhere in My Lifetime · Dionne Warwick: Dionne · Nancy Wilson: With My Lover Beside Me · Monica Mancini: The Dreams of Johnny Mercer · Diane Schuur: Midnight
Related articles
Discography · Copacabana Musicals · dick clark productions · Johnny Mercer · Bette Midler
Resident Shows
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