| enerations, Barry Manilow has been singing his | | | | work with Midler helped her rise to the top, and |
| way into the hearts of millions of people from | | | | as a result, Manilow landed his first record deal in |
| every corner of the globe. His songs are anthems | | | | 1973. |
| for couples in every time zone, and his | | | | Potential Reached |
| songwriting acumen is legendary. Fans will be | | | | Although Manilow’s first album, Barry |
| thrilled to know that Manilow is returning to the | | | | Manilow, was not a huge success, his follow-up, |
| stage in Las Vegas in 2006. Manilow will be playing | | | | Barry Manilow II, contained what became his first |
| regular shows at the Las Vegas Hilton, and his | | | | smash hit, the single, Mandy, which climbed to |
| appearance is just another reason to visit the | | | | number one in both the US and UK. From there, |
| biggest oasis in the world. Below is a look at how | | | | an incredible run of commercial success ensued. |
| Manilow became “Manilow”. | | | | Manilow’s next six albums all reached the |
| Early Life | | | | Top 10 on the US Album charts, and some of the |
| Barry Alan Pincus was born in Brooklyn, New | | | | singles he produced during this time have |
| York on June 17, 1943. His father was of Russian | | | | remained popular to this day, including I Write The |
| and Jewish descent, and his mother was Irish. His | | | | Songs in 1975 and Looks Like We Made It in |
| parents split up when Barry was only two, and he | | | | 1977. |
| was raised by his mother and maternal | | | | In all, Manilow has released over 30 albums, and |
| grandparents. He was introduced to music when | | | | 13 of them have risen to number one on the US |
| he was seven, when he began to learn the piano | | | | Album charts, which is an unbelievable rate of |
| and accordion. | | | | success. Manilow’s style has transformed |
| Prior to his Bar Mitzvah at age 13, Barry began to | | | | over the years as well. His early works were |
| sing. It was also at this time that he changed his | | | | almost exclusively love songs and ballads. |
| name to match that of his mother’s | | | | However, in the early 1980’s, Manilow |
| maiden name - Manilow. In several ways, 1956 | | | | began to focus more on smooth jazz and worked |
| was the year Barry Manilow was | | | | with such legends of the genre as Mel Torme and |
| “born”. | | | | Sarah Vaughan. |
| Budding Career | | | | Overall, though, Manilow is best known for his |
| He continued singing through high school, and upon | | | | romantic singing and sometimes crooning ways on |
| graduation, he was accepted to the prestigious | | | | stage, and his shows have been sold out in nearly |
| Julliard School of Music. He paid his tuition by | | | | every venue for decades. His fans number in the |
| working in the CBS mail room. This proved to be | | | | millions and his act is imitated by many. |
| a fortuitous school-time job. Manilow advanced at | | | | Manilow has won two Grammy Awards during his |
| CBS, and wound up serving as the musical | | | | career for his singing performances, and in 2002, |
| director for the CBS show Callback. | | | | he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of |
| For the next few years, Manilow made his way | | | | Fame. Rolling Stone Magazine called him the best |
| by writing and performing advertising jingles, | | | | performer of his generation. His charitable works |
| including the now-famous song for State Farm | | | | are too numerous to list in one volume. |
| Insurance. His work got him noticed, and in 1971 | | | | Generally, there are many reasons to take in a |
| he was hired by Bette Midler as her pianist and | | | | Barry Manilow show. We’ve listed a few, |
| music director. He accompanied her on several | | | | but a trip to Las Vegas would be well worth your |
| bath house performances in New York City | | | | time to see one of the true icons of musical |
| before Midler herself gained fame and fortune. His | | | | performance. |