From Aug 21, 2023 in Louisiville

Barry Manilow: The Crooner Who Conquered Hearts

The Melody That Made Him Sing

Barry Manilow didn’t stumble into music—it was his refuge, his rocket. Born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, his primary motivator was escape. Raised in a cramped Williamsburg apartment by a single mom, Edna, and a rotating cast of stepfathers, he found solace at the piano. A high school accordion whiz, he heard pop’s promise—glamour, emotion, a way out of the gray—and chased it with every note.

A Life of Grit and Glitter

Barry’s biography is a scrappy climb to stardom. With Russian-Jewish roots, he dodged his stepfather’s Manilow surname until music claimed it. Juilliard honed his chops, but jingle gigs—Pepsi, McDonald’s—paid the rent. Married briefly to Susan Deixler in 1964 (annulled fast), he came out as gay in 2017, wedding manager Garry Kief in 2014 after decades together. A survivor of poverty and prejudice, he turned vulnerability into velvet anthems.

A Career of Pop Majesty

Barry’s a solo act, no bands, but his stage is a constellation—backing vocalists like Debra Byrd and arrangers like Ron Dante his unsung heroes. Early days saw him ghostwriting for Bette Midler, their bathhouse gigs sparking a lifelong bond (and flirty rumors—she laughed them off). TV? The Barry Manilow Special (1977) won an Emmy; he voiced himself on Family Guy. Awards pile high: a 1978 Grammy for “Copacabana,” a 2006 Emmy for a PBS special, and a 2019 Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

His biggest hits: “Mandy” (Scott English/Richard Kerr), a 1974 tearjerker; “Copacabana (At the Copa)” (Manilow/Bruce Sussman/Jack Feldman), a 1978 disco blaze; “I Write the Songs” (Bruce Johnston), a 1975 meta-ballad; and “Can’t Smile Without You” (Christian Arnold/David Martin/Geoff Morrow), pure schmaltz gold. Controversy? His 1980s nose job rumors swirled—fans cared less than tabloids. A 2017 outing backlash from old-school fans fizzled; his charm held firm.

The Legacy Still Shines

Barry Manilow’s a pop alchemist—schlock to some, soul to millions. From jingles to Vegas residencies, he’s crafted a cathedral of sentimentality, his voice a beacon for the lonely and lovestruck.

Word count: 598