Recently my partner in crime Carol and I attended a concert by a man who has been called schlocky, overly sentimental, and just plain lousy.
That's right: We saw Barry Manilow, and we loved every minute of it.
Barry was probably at the height of his popularity when I was in high school. My friends and I sang along to "Mandy" and "Weekend In New England".
I'm grateful for the opportunity to listen to a singer who has been such a big part of my life, but I was also thrilled that I didn't see a single person leaving the arena who looked unhappy. With everyone singing along, it became an evening that represents the interconnectedness of humankind. We can be at one through music.
Barry sounded a little hoarse, but oi! could he hold a note. He also moves with care and caution when he dances. I Googled him when I got home and was surprised to learn he's 70! I hope I'm still singing and dancing when I'm 70–not that anyone wants to be my audience.
Thank you, Barry Manilow.
Infinities of Manilow love,
Janie Junebug
My favorite Barry Manilow song:
Does anyone else remember loving The Midnight Special?
Ahh Good ol' Barry! Glad you and your PIC had fun and enjoyed the concert ;)
ReplyDeleteLovely song! Gotta love his bright pink shiny shirt back then lol
Didn't we wear the most horrible clothes?
DeleteHeck yeah, Janie Junebug! Throughout the 1970s I worked for an NBC affiliate. Every Friday night after we put our 11pm newscast to bed the cast and crew sat around shooting the breeze and watching Johnny Carson followed by the Wolfman and The Midnight Special. This one, a top 10 hit in 1975, is my favorite Barry Manilow song, too. It's powerful!
ReplyDeleteHe plays the piano so beautifully. When he did this song he did not begin with the Chopin prelude, which disappointed me a bit.
ReplyDeleteThat is the thing with live performances. Rarely have I ever seen ANYONE not having a good time. :) So glad you had fun!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed ever concert I've ever attended, with the exception of Paul Simon. I wasn't upset about his performance. He was just boring. He had no charisma.
DeleteAww, Barry! Glad to know he's still around and making music, AND that you got to go and enjoy him~
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed his songs. Probably because I'm a sentimental guy.
ReplyDeleteI'm a schmuck for a good love song.
DeleteI'll be in your audience. It is great when you get to see a person live after loving their music for so long. I got to see a few of my favorite bands over the years and each memory is special.
ReplyDeleteThe most exciting night of my life was seeing Paul McCartney perform in RFK Stadium. It was the fourth of July. I think it was 1989.
DeleteOh oh oh, loved the Midnight Special!!!! Barry Manilow will go down in history for sure. Loved him in the 70's too.
ReplyDeleteI had to google him, too! 70 and never been married it looks like. My friends and I always wondered if he was gay, but never cared. Like Elton John, you know? Who cares! He had a lot of popular songs. No wonder he was careful dancing around--he's had hips replaced! Amazing that he is still out there doing his thing. There are several of the singers/bands from my youth who are still performing in their 60s and 70s. Quite amazing!! I love it! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful song and the way he plays the piano is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo much talent for one person to possess.
DeleteHe's never come out, and he was married to his high school sweetheart when he was young. Maybe he's gay. Maybe he's asexual. Maybe he loves women and has slept with every single one he could get his hands on. I don't care. I just want him to sing those romantic songs.
ReplyDeleteI'm irritated because my replies aren't going where they're supposed to be. The one just above this is my response to Rita.
DeleteI can't imagine that anything comparable to The Midnight Special is on TV now. Music has changed so much.
ReplyDeleteThis one is my response to Barb. I don't know why Blogger is doing this to me!
DeleteHe's 70!?! Wow, could it be magic? It sure looks like he made it. Maybe it's all the time he spends at the Copacabana. Okay, that's enough puns on his songs. I was bummed out to learn he didn't write the song "I write the songs". I'd absolutely go to a Barry Manilow concert. I've very jealous that you got to hear the old songs (okay, I wasn't done).
ReplyDeleteNo, it's all the weekends in New England that kept him going. The one song of "his" that I don't like is I Write The Songs. I was surprised to learn he didn't write a number of his hits. The only contribution he made to Mandy was changing the title from Brandy.
DeleteWow! A wonderful treat! I have lots of Manilow music here. I think "Weekend in New England" is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
That's a great choice, Rob-bear. I love that song.
DeleteAgain...I love Barry. Listening to him makes my head get goosebumps and my hair sticks up on end. I love Could It Be Magic, and I love the Chopin prelude.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll go upstairs and play it on my Yamaha Grand Piano right this instant.
Oh, and I love you too.
-andi
You don't have what it takes to play Chopin, you bottled blond b#%$!
DeleteThat Yamaha wants to be with me, and you know it and can't stand me for it.
DeleteI have always liked Barry Manilow so a little jealous that you got to see him and I didn't
ReplyDeleteMaybe he'll turn up in your neck of the woods one of these days. He didn't act as if he wants to retire.
DeleteI missed commenting on this post. I'm glad Carol is around to go out and play!
ReplyDeleteMe, too. I miss her when she leaves for the summer.
DeleteHi Janie .. sounds like a lovely evening out with a like-minded friend ... and just a good time evening sing along - he is a good singer-songwriter .. Great you enjoyed your time .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time.
DeleteGotta love a good concert! I wouldn't necessarily go to see Barry Manilow unless I could dress Branden up in some pink sequins for a laugh! Finish the look with some tight, white pants...hehehehehe!
ReplyDeleteI can totally picture Brandon with that look. He's such a sex machine.
DeleteOh Barry....me, some giant brown headphones and the lyric sheet....oh he came and he gave without taking.......
ReplyDeleteBut you set him away . . .
DeleteBut you SENT him away . . . oh, the shame I suffer because of errors.
DeleteOh Andy...
Deletejust couldn't help myself!