Barry Manilow

Stars

Born June 17, 1943 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Equal parts one of America’s most celebrated and maligned artists, Barry Manilow began a multi-decade run of super stardom with the release of his 1974 hit “Mandy.” Though the song served as the introduction for many to the artist, Manilow had already racked up a string of impressive showbiz credits before scoring his chart breakthrough.

A student of the piano at an early age, Manilow attended the Juilliard School and began his career as a jingle writer, crafting successful campaigns for such brands as State Farm, McDonald’s and others. His big break came when he met Bette Midler, with whom he performed at New York’s gay bathhouses in the early ’70s. Midler eventually hired Manilow as a pianist and arranger, an association that led to Manilow landing his own recording contract.

He released his self-titled debut in 1973, and the 1974 followup for Arista Records, “Barry Manilow II,” catapulted Manilow into the top 10, earning him an instant reputation as a crafter of grandly orchestrated pop, or sappy schmaltz, depending on one’s tolerance for easy-listening nice-guy charm. Manilow was a hit-machine throughout the ’70s, as songs such as “Could It Be Magic,” “I Write the Songs” and “Can’t Smile Without You” are still instantly recognizable standards today.

Manilow’s career crossed over into film, Broadway and television, and his song “Copacabana (At the Copa)” was awarded the Grammy for best male pop vocal performance in 1978. When it came to hit singles, Manilow’s crossover success slowed down throughout the ’80s, but he remained a hugely successful adult contemporary artist, even as he began more deeply exploring his love of jazz. His 1984 album “2:00 AM Paradise Cafe” features collaborations with the likes of Mel Torme and Sarah Vaughn, among others. In 1988, he co-wrote "Perfect Isn't Easy" for Midler, which appeared in Disney’s animated feature “Oliver & Co.”

Manilow has continued to record, and he has released more than 30 albums, including releases that pay tribute to Frank Sinatra, swing music and pop hits of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. His 2010 collection “The Greatest Love Songs of All Time” preceded a live show that launched in Las Vegas in March 2010.

— Todd Martens for the Los Angeles Times June 23, 2010

Related stars

Bette Midler
Professional
Mel Torme
Professional

Points of interest

19 thoughts about Barry Manilow

“

Barry deserves to have coverage in your paper because he is not only the number on adult contemporary artist of all time, but he is loved an admired by fans all over the world for this humanitarian work with schools in the Cochella Valley of California. Barry is currently on a campainge to bring musical insturments into the schools not only in the Cochella Valley, but all over the country. The schools in this country are cutting programs that kids need so badly to learn. Music programs is one that's dear to Barry's heart that's being cut all over. Barry has said that it kills him to see them cut, because music is one of the most important things kids need to learn to succeed in life. Music builds confidence and gives the kids an opprotunity to perhaps persue it as a career. That's been Barry's passion for a while now. Through his foundation, The Manilow Fund For Health And Hope, he has raised hundreds and thousands of dollars and even bought and donated some insturments to a Conchella Valley school earier last year. Barry cares about the world and it's people. His music is as timeless as his talents. He deserves this honor of being in the Times more frequently. Kids will be able to learn about Barry's legacy and what he has done and be encouraged to continue it by doing the same things he did and still does. Thank you.

” — Mary, March 11, 2010 at 6:50 p.m.

“

Hello. I´m a fan coming all the way from Denmark, north of Germany, a small country with 5.5 million habitants. We here in Denmark don´t know about Barry Manilow and his music but I´ve found out through his websites and been a fan since 2005, so not long. I, as many danes, didn´t know about Barry manilow but have always thought he was an entertainer in absolutely worldclass. To follow Frank Sinatra. I really think, Barry Manilow needs to be written about, talked about and in positive words. He makes wonderful, unforgettable music, he makes arrangements, he makes coversongs of artists who have made unforgettable lovesongs and he makes them come alive. He does it to perfection. Barry Manilow has a Las Vegas show who tops it all. It´s with high energy and perfect lights on the stage. I hope some day, I´ll be able to see a star with Barry Manilow´s name on the famous Hollywood street or in Hollywood Hall of Fame, he really deserves it. I have been there myself years ago and he belong there. Well, I will go, I will just say, I´ve seen shows at the Hilton (Las Vegas) and now I´m going to Paris (Las Vegas) so my love for this music and entertainer will be eternal. I hope it´ll be eternal in USA too. LOVE FROM DENMARK, VIBEKE NIELSEN.

” — Vibeke Nielsen, March 12, 2010 at 1:16 a.m.

“

I have been a Barry fan for 35 years, ever since I first heard "Mandy" on the radio. I had never heard of him and I had no idea what he looked like, but his voice captured my heart and I was hooked. I have seen Barry numerous times in concert and you will never see a better showman anywhere. He truly is "The Showman Of Our Genaration".
Barry is totaly devoted to his music and his fans, his music IS and always has been his Passion. He is a kind and caring man and his generosity has no boundries. I remember a few years ago, there was a terrible accident in Las Vegas where a young couple on honeymoon were mown down by a reckless driver who plowed into the sidewalk. When Barry read about this he immediately got in touch with the couples parents and he paid for their return flights and their stay at the Hilton until the couple were able to go home. The couple were only in their early twenties and they were not Barry fans and they didn't know anything about him. Barry paid for this out of his own money because he cared and thats the kind of guy he really is.
Barry deserves every bit of his success and his star on the walk of fame should stay ther forever. Please give Barry the respect he deserves by giving him a page in your paper to show how much he is loved and cared for by his fans.

Thank you

Jackie Allen - March 12th 2010

” — Jackie Allen, March 12, 2010 at 1:19 a.m.

“

I've been a fan of Mr. Manilow since 1975 when I first heard "Mandy" on the radio at the age of eight.
His career in music started well before then, though,going back to the early 60's when at the age of 18 he was asked to re-arrange some public domain songs for the musical The Drunkard. Instead he composed several original songs that were incorporated in over time and it became an original music that ran off-Broadway for many years. He also was an arranger/music director for the television program Callback, a member of the Jazz Partners, worked as a vocal coach, was an accompanist for vocalists at Broadway auditions and, in 1969, became Bette Midler's musical director/pianist which eventually led him to his own recording contract in 1973. He also composed and/or sang a number of commercial jingles starting in the late '60's up until the mid-late '80's.
His accomplishments since becoming a recording artist are too numerous to list here. He's sold more than 80,000,000 albums worldwide, has had 27 consecutive Top 40 hits, has won Grammys, Emmys, a Tony Award, and has been nominated for an Academy Award... just to name a few.
More important than his career accomplishments, though, is his generosity and compassion.
He has done much for his adopted hometown of Palm Springs, California, from benefit concerts for various programs and the Arts to being a co-director of Desert Paws.
He started the Manilow Fund For Health and Hope to support local, grassroots organizations that promote education, health and care. The fund donates to organizations that focus on cancer, AIDS, children’s issues, victims of abuse, the homeless and music education.
In the last couple of years he has also started The Manilow Music Project to provide instruments, sheet music and equipment to schools to ensure that the children of these schools will continue to get a quality music education despite budget cuts that would have possibly eliminated music programs altogether.
Along with his generosity, his gratitude for and appreciation of his fans knows no bounds. He has never forgotten where he came from (Brooklyn, New York) and how he got where he is today.
Is he deserving of the star on the Walk of Fame he has received? You bet he is!
Forget about his career accomplishments, though there are more than enough to merit his being a recipient. I know of no other artist who has done so much to give back to his community and to anyone and everyone he knows is in need.
There should be more people like him in this world.

” — Michelle, March 12, 2010 at 11:05 a.m.

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