This weekend, Barry Manilow and his fans celebrated the Top 40 icon’s 80th birthday. Many fellow performers shared memories of his memorable career and their relationship on Twitter. Bette Midler tweeted: “Happy birthday to my old friend @barrymanilow and thanks for the memories! Did we laugh or what?” Westgate Las Vegas posted birthday wishes. “We love you, Barry! Your Westgate Family.
Cris Winter wrote: “If you listened to AM radio in the 70s, this guy dominated the dial. Happy 80th to singer, songwriter, pianist, and jungle writer @barrymanilow. It’s a miracle – A true blue spectacle. A miracle come true. Happy Birthday, Barry!” Dustin Fizharris tweeted: “Could It Be Magic? Yes! With a Grammy, a Tony, 2 Emmys, and songs that are part of the soundtrack of lives, Barry Manilow is magical. Happy 80th birthday!
Before Melissa Etheridge sang a warm rendition of “Mandy,” she said that many songs are written about women, and she always wanted to sing, but she had never performed until this recording. She ends the video by telling listeners she will “probably never” sing it again. That’s unfortunate since a duet of Manilow and Etheridge singing this song would be a delight.
🎵"At the Copa – Copacabana, music and passion were always the fashion, at the Copa … they fell in love." 🎶 Barry Manilow became world famous in the 1970s with this song. He celebrates his 80th birthday today. Congratulations, @barrymanilow 🎉 pic.twitter.com/G7KoAWKFSh
— DW Culture (@dw_culture) June 17, 2023
Happy birthday my most favorite male singer Barry Manilow💙 June 17, 2023. Wishes have a good health and more birthdays to celebrate💜. Love you deeply don't be afraid just a fan love😆. Love you and your music 🎹 🎵🎶✨🌟. GOD bless you and your family 🙏. pic.twitter.com/x3NJGVw06G
— Graceging Makiling (@MGraceging) June 17, 2023
Manilow, a soft rock and adult contemporary artist, was born on June 17, 1943. His career started in the mid-1960s writing jingles and several industry-related jobs. This entertainer, according to Billboard, “Had one of the most impressive hit streaks of the 1970s and early 80s. Of his 26 commercially-released singles between “Mandy” in 1974 and “Read ‘Em and Weep” in late 1983, 25 made the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.”
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
Billboard: Barry Manilow’s 25 Top 40 Hits, Ranked From Worst to Best: Critic’s Picks; by Paul Grein
Featured and Top Image by Weatherman90 Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License
