Barry Manilow

Born in Brooklyn in 1943, Barry Manilow rose to prominence in the 1970s after training as a pianist, arranger and composer, with experience drawn from the New York scene, advertising and musical theatre. Before his solo career he wrote and sang jingles, composed for Off-Broadway and worked as a musical director; early in the decade he also accompanied and produced Bette Midler. His repertoire blends orchestral pop, adult contemporary, soft rock and piano ballads, marked by expansive melodies, tightly structured choruses and vocal arrangements. His crossover to the mainstream came with Barry Manilow II in 1974, followed by Tryin’ to Get the Feeling (1975), This One’s for You (1976) and Even Now (1978), a period during which he also toured extensively and appeared on variety shows. Alongside his own records he produced or wrote for other artists, including Dionne Warwick and Nancy Wilson. His trajectory later shifted toward more thematic projects, from the hushed jazz and blues of 2:00 AM Paradise Cafe (1984) to albums of standards and musical theatre material such as Showstoppers (1991) and Night Songs (2014). Manilow also developed a lasting connection with Broadway and Las Vegas residencies, which have played a significant role in his stage career.