The Man, the Myth, the Manilow

As many of you are aware, I'm a huge fan of the sitcom Will & Grace.  One of my absolute favorite episodes was the one entitled “Fanilow” which featured guest appearances by Debbie Reynolds, Sara Gilbert, Chris Penn and the one and only Barry Manilow, who performed a duet of Bandstand Boogie, with Eric McCormick (as Will).

The original Copaca-fan-a

Multimedia Manilow

Manilow’s has been a legendary career that began with creating some of the great ad-jingles of the ‘60s and ‘70s.  Remember what a good neighbor State Farm was, just for being there; or being stuck on Band-Aid (because they were stuck on you)?  That’s because of Barry.  In addition to those he wrote and recorded, there were some that he simply sang (including the famous “You deserve a break, today” commercial, for McDonald’s). 

Later, he accompanied Bette Midler as her pianist, at the famed Continental Baths, and after that, on her first couple of albums.  Then, due to the nurturing nudging of Arista Records head, Clive Davis, he recorded what would be his first number one single, Mandy.  And the rest, as they say, is history.  Seriously folks – history... 

Barry boogies in red

The top-selling Adult Contemporary artist of all-time, Barry Manilow is an indisputable pop-culture icon.  In addition to his more than 40 Top Forty hits, he’s won a pair of Emmy Awards, a trio of American Music Awards, a Tony, a Clio, a Grammy Award, and has been inducted into both the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.  He’s appeared as himself on hit television series including Murphy Brown, Ally McBeal, and Family Guy; and there’s not a daytime or late-night host who hasn’t welcomed him, from Oprah to Ellen, from Conan to Kimmel, and from Joan Lundun on Good Morning America to Craig Ferguson on The Late Late Show –  he’s done ‘em all.

Barry tickling the ivories

Now, the second man who recorded the song that made the whole world sing (trivia tidbit: it was written by one of the Beach Boys, and first recorded by David Cassidy) is performing on The Strip, to sold-out crowds, at Paris Las Vegas.  And it’s a fun show, too.  The audience sings along, and waves red glow sticks in the air.  Barry has nearly as many wardrobe changes as Cher.  He does a little soft-shoe, and tickles the ivories.  His band is great, his dancers seem to be having a ball, and the music – well, who doesn’t know at least five or six Barry Manilow songs? 

Barry bathed in blue

And for those of you itching for more Manilow, now, there’s Manilow.TV!  Each and every month, Manilow.TV provides subscribers with a new video from the self-proclaimed pack-rat’s archives of past performances.

Barry bids the audience adieu

Still not convinced?  I’ll leave you with this…  What did frazzled former JetBlue flight-attendant, Steven Slater do, after hurling himself down the emergency slide?  He high-tailed it to AC and caught Barry performing with the New York Pops at Caesars Atlantic City!

Hey Barry: Looks like you made it!

Manilow
Le Théâtre des Arts at Paris Las Vegas
www.ManilowParis.com

Get into it!