Barry Manilow Sings his Hits!
While in high school, Manilow started playing gigs at small local clubs. After graduating from Brooklyn's Eastern District High School, he attended New York's Julliard School Of Music. To help pay his way, he also worked in the mailroom at CBS. It was there where at 18, he met a director who encouraged Barry to compose and arrange music for shows, that his professional career began.
In 1967, he became musical director of the CBS TV series "Callback" and worked for Ed Sullivan productions, conducting and arranging music. It was during this time Manilow also began his very lucrative career writing and singing jingles for everything from toiletbowl cleaner to life insurance to bandaids. Some of his better known singing credits included spots for Pepsi, Jack-in-the-Box, Dr. Pepper. and the "You deserve a break today" ditty for McDonald's Big Mac spot.
Barry was also playing piano at Manhattan's Improv on West 44th Street, the Continental Baths and other nightspots. In 1971, he received an unexpected phone call from Bette Midler. She was scheduled to play the Baths the following weekend and wanted Barry to play for her. Barry had only seen Bette perform on TV and thought her to be a little too flashy. He was impressed by her enthusiasim and agreed to rehearse with her. Their styles clashed immediately. Both were strongheaded, driven and knew what they wanted. The Julliard trained Barry and Bette the brassy showgirl fought about everything from the minute they met. Beneath it all, however, they recognized and respected the talent in eachother. Manilow became Midler's piano player, conductor, and arranger, and later, her musical director.
For the next few years, Manilow toured with Midler almost nonstop. At first, it was a hit and miss jumble of self-promoted shows. Soon as the duo's popularity grew, they landed gigs in Las Vegas and were invited to appear on the Johnny Carson Show. Returning to New York, towards the end of the tour they decided to rent out Carnegie Hall. This was a huge financial risk for both Bette and Barry. The gamble paid off however. On Friday, June 23, 1972 , Bette Midler with Barry Manilow as her music director played to a sold-out crowd.
Barry began his own solo career in 1973 when he signed with Bell Records (later to become Artista) and released his first album. The hitsingle "Mandy" from the album launched Manilow into the international spotlight. A spotlight that has shined for him for most of the next three decades. Between studio, live, soundtracks and compliations, Manilow has released over 40 solo albums. He's also contributed his singing talents over a dozen of others recordings. His records have sold more than 75 million copies worldwide. Nearly 60 songs released as singles have made the BillBoard Music charts. In addition to "Mandy", songs such as "I Write The Songs", "Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again", "This One's For You", "Looks Like We Made It", "Can't Smile Without You", and about a half of a dozen other reaching the number one spot on the charts.
Barry Manilow's live 'Music and Passion' show opened in February 2005 at the Las Vegas Hilton. His contract with the hotel has been renewed through 2008. Barry Manilow's concert tours and club appearances are guaranteed sellouts for the performer. He has appeared on Broadway and in cameo roles for many hits television shows. In addition to the Grammy, Emmy and Tony awards that he has won, Manilow was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music's Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. He is well known for his involvement is several charities including The Prince's Trust, United Way, and the Starlight Foundation. He created The Manilow Fund for Health & Hope to support local grassroot education, health and social care organizations
In September of 2007, Barry Manilow released a eagarly anticipated "The Greatest Songs Of The Seventies". The album is the latest in his "Greatest Songs" series, with both songs of the 50s and songs from the 60s being released in 2006. Each album consists of Manilow playing cover tributes of many of each decades' best artists. He has announced he is planning to continue the series through the current decade.