Barry

Barry Biography

Barry Manilow stands as America's ultimate pop showman, delivering 50+ Billboard Hot 100 hits including Mandy, Copacabana, and I Write the Songs during 1970s-80s dominance. The piano-playing songwriter crafted diamond-selling ballads blending Broadway flair with soft-rock accessibility, selling 85 million records worldwide while earning Grammy, Tony, and Emmy awards across five decades of Vegas residencies and global arena tours.

Childhood

Born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, Barry grew up in Williamsburg housing projects raised by single mother Edna and maternal grandparents. Absent father Harold left early; Edna worked as secretary while Barry discovered piano at age 7 through accordion lessons. Close relationship with waiter grandfather guided his musical ear amid humble Jewish immigrant roots in 1950s New York City.

Education

Barry attended Eastern District High School, winning talent competitions that earned Juilliard School performing arts scholarship. He studied musical theater while working mailroom at CBS, transitioning to piano accompaniment and arrangement jobs. New York College of Music provided formal theory training alongside practical experience writing commercial jingles, preparing his Broadway sensibilities for pop commercial success.

Career

Manilow wrote McDonalds You Deserve a Break Today jingle and Band-Aid jingle before becoming Bette Midlers musical director (1972-75), arranging her Clams on the Halfshell Revue. Arista Records debut Barry Manilow (1973) launched Mandy to #1; five consecutive #1 singles followed alongside 1976 Tony-winning Broadway run. Vegas residencies since 1979 generated $750 million; 2020s This Is Me...Live continues 300+ show residencies breaking attendance records.

Family Life

Barry married high school sweetheart Susan Deixler in 1964; brief marriage ended 1966 without children. Longtime partner Garry Kief since 1978 serves as manager; they entered domestic partnership 2015. No biological children exist; Barry maintains privacy around personal relationships while generously supporting LGBT causes through his foundation work and public allyship within entertainment industry circles.

Achievements

Barry earned 2 Grammy Awards, 3 Tony Awards (including 1976 Broadway residency), 2 Emmy Awards, AFI Life Achievement, Songwriters Hall of Fame induction, 31 Platinum albums, 11 Gold albums, 5 Diamond certifications, Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and Las Vegas Walk of Fame. Copacabana musical ran West End 18 months; 50th anniversary 2024 tour sold 1.2 million tickets across 150 dates, Billboard #1 debut.

Controversies

Barry endured 1980s critical backlash as king of schmaltz despite commercial dominance; rock purists dismissed his style while fans embraced sincerity. 2009 bankruptcy filing revealed $20 million IRS debt despite $200 million earnings, settled through Vegas residency. Coming out as gay in 2017 memoir drew surprise from older fans though younger audiences celebrated authenticity after decades of privacy.

Barry Summary

Barry Manilow crafted pop perfection through meticulously arranged ballads that defined 1970s easy-listening era while sustaining five-decade career through Vegas mastery and fan devotion. From Brooklyn piano kid to 85-million-record legend, his Broadway-honed showmanship and emotional songcraft established permanent residence in American musical consciousness.