Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow
source
Name	Barry Manilow
Caption	Manilow in 1977
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Barry Alan Pincus
Birth date	17 June 1943
Birth place	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genre	Pop, soft rock, adult contemporary
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, arranger, producer
Years active	1964–present
Label	Bell, Arista, RCA, Concord
Associated acts	Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick, Lady Gaga
Website	barrymanilow.com

Barry Manilow is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer renowned for his string of hit recordings and dynamic stage performances. Rising to fame in the mid-1970s, he became one of the most successful adult contemporary artists of his era, known for his melodic pop songs and emotive vocal delivery. His career spans decades, marked by numerous Grammy, Tony, and Emmy nominations, alongside record sales exceeding 85 million worldwide. Manilow is also celebrated for his work as a producer and arranger for other major artists, solidifying his multifaceted role in the music industry.

Early life and education

Born Barry Alan Pincus in Brooklyn, he was raised by his mother and grandparents after his father, a truck driver, left the family. He developed an early interest in music, learning the accordion and later the piano, and attended Eastern District High School. After graduating, he enrolled at the City College of New York with an initial focus on advertising, but his passion for music led him to the New York College of Music and later the Juilliard School, where he studied music theory and orchestration. During this period, he worked at the CBS mailroom and began writing and arranging commercial jingles for companies like State Farm and Band-Aid, honing the skills that would define his professional career.

Music career

His professional breakthrough came as a pianist, arranger, and producer for Bette Midler, co-producing her first two albums, including the acclaimed *The Divine Miss M*. He signed with Bell Records and released his debut album, *Barry Manilow I*, but it was the 1974 single "Mandy" that launched him to international stardom. A prolific period followed, yielding iconic hits such as "Copacabana (At the Copa)," "I Write the Songs," "Can't Smile Without You," and "Looks Like We Made It." He became a fixture on television, with several specials on ABC and a long-running Las Vegas residency at the Las Vegas Hilton and later the Paris Las Vegas. His later work includes successful Broadway-inspired albums, collaborations with artists like Dionne Warwick and Lady Gaga, and a series of records covering the Great American Songbook.

Musical style and influences

His musical style is primarily characterized by lush orchestration, strong melodies, and a polished pop and soft rock sensibility, often categorized within the adult contemporary format. Key influences include the theatricality of Broadway composers like Irving Berlin and the sophisticated pop of The Beatles and The Righteous Brothers. His arrangements frequently incorporate elements of jazz, disco, and big band music, evident in hits like "Copacabana" and his later tributes to the 1940s era. His background in advertising jingles also informed his knack for crafting instantly memorable hooks and accessible, emotionally resonant songs.

Legacy and impact

He is widely regarded as one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with a career that has significantly influenced the pop music landscape. His success paved the way for other singer-songwriters in the adult contemporary radio format and demonstrated the commercial viability of Las Vegas residencies for pop performers. He has received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Male Vocalist, a Special Tony Award, and an Emmy Award, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His philanthropic efforts include major donations to public school music programs and support for LGBT causes, while his enduring popularity is evidenced by sold-out tours and chart-topping albums across multiple decades.

Personal life

He has been notably private about his personal life for much of his career. In 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Susan Deixler, but the union was annulled after one year. He later had a long-term professional and personal partnership with his manager, Linda Allen, during the peak of his fame. In 2014, he privately married his longtime manager and friend, Garry Kief, in a ceremony at their estate in Palm Springs, California. An avid supporter of the arts, he has donated millions to fund instruments and programs for students in Los Angeles and New York City public schools. He maintains homes in Palm Springs and New York City.

Category:American pop singers Category:American male singers Category:Songwriters from New York City Category:1943 births Category:Living people