Barry Manilow a Singer & Songwriter Extraordinaire
March 18, 2009
By John Charles
When you talk about Barry Manilow, you are taling about somebody who has legions of fans all around the world, and deservedly so. Here we look at the life of Barry.
The beginning.
Life for Barry began in New York in June 1943. His father was of Russian descent, and his mother Irish. At an early age he was introduced to music, and he learned to play the piano and accordion.
Prior to his Bar Mitzvah at age 13, Barry began to sing. It was also at this time that he changed his name to match that of his mothers maiden name - Manilow. In several ways, 1956 was the year Barry Manilow was born.
His blossoming career.
His career really started whilst he was still at high school, because it was here that his singing just got better and better, and this led him to applying and being accepted into the Julliard school of music. He paid for his time there by working in the CBS mailroom.
He really started to climb the ladder of success when in 1971 he was hired by Bette Midler as her pianist and musical director. Success with Bette Midler helped both of them as they rose to the top.
Potential Reached
Barry fully reached his potential with the release of his second album Barry Manilow ll, which contained his smash hit single, Mandy, and which climbed to number one both in the US and the UK.
Barry has had 13 number one albums from a total of 30 albums that he has released (at the time of writing) which is a remarkable rate of success. He has gradually moved from ballads to jazz and has worked with such legends as Mel Torme and Sarah Vaughan.
Overall, though, Manilow is best known for his romantic singing and sometimes crooning ways on stage, and his shows have been sold out in nearly every venue for decades. His fans number in the millions and his act is imitated by many.
He has won many awards and accolades during his career. Rolling Stone magazine called him the best performer of his generation, he has won two Grammy awards, and been inducted into the songwriters Hall of Fame.
If you get the chance to see Barry perform live, then don't miss it.
This is one of a series of articles on musicakl icons. If you would like me to let you know when the next one comes out then please contact me through my website below.
The beginning.
Life for Barry began in New York in June 1943. His father was of Russian descent, and his mother Irish. At an early age he was introduced to music, and he learned to play the piano and accordion.
Prior to his Bar Mitzvah at age 13, Barry began to sing. It was also at this time that he changed his name to match that of his mothers maiden name - Manilow. In several ways, 1956 was the year Barry Manilow was born.
His blossoming career.
His career really started whilst he was still at high school, because it was here that his singing just got better and better, and this led him to applying and being accepted into the Julliard school of music. He paid for his time there by working in the CBS mailroom.
He really started to climb the ladder of success when in 1971 he was hired by Bette Midler as her pianist and musical director. Success with Bette Midler helped both of them as they rose to the top.
Potential Reached
Barry fully reached his potential with the release of his second album Barry Manilow ll, which contained his smash hit single, Mandy, and which climbed to number one both in the US and the UK.
Barry has had 13 number one albums from a total of 30 albums that he has released (at the time of writing) which is a remarkable rate of success. He has gradually moved from ballads to jazz and has worked with such legends as Mel Torme and Sarah Vaughan.
Overall, though, Manilow is best known for his romantic singing and sometimes crooning ways on stage, and his shows have been sold out in nearly every venue for decades. His fans number in the millions and his act is imitated by many.
He has won many awards and accolades during his career. Rolling Stone magazine called him the best performer of his generation, he has won two Grammy awards, and been inducted into the songwriters Hall of Fame.
If you get the chance to see Barry perform live, then don't miss it.
This is one of a series of articles on musicakl icons. If you would like me to let you know when the next one comes out then please contact me through my website below.
About the Author:
John is a guitar teacher who can show you how to Play Guitar just like your guitar hero.
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