His biggest hits include classic songs such as I Write The Songs, Could It Be Magic, and Copacabana - and 25 years ago, Barry Manilow brought his own brand of American pop sophistication to a packed Newcastle Arena.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1943, the singer-songwriter’s career has spanned six decades and he’s sold more than 80 million records. Working early on as a musical arranger for the likes of Bette Midler, Manilow’s breakthrough UK hit, Mandy, reached number 11 in 1975.
On January 27, 1998, the 54-year-old found himself performing on Tyneside. Our Chronicle reviewer at the Arena noted how the audience was made up of people who were "largely female and largely 40-plus".
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The show would be a success: “On a freezing cold night, Barry Manilow soon warmed the hearts of his adoring fans with a super performance. The new-style Manilow - all high-tech gadgets and new songs - was preaching to the converted, but they loved it.
“From the opening number, reminiscing Barry ran through 20 years of hits from his major albums through to the latest in remixed versions of Could It Be Magic, the big hit for Take That. A light interlude came when Manilow pulled two people from the audience to perform Bermuda Triangle, and he followed this up with It’s A Miracle and one of his best known songs, Mandy. After a one-minute break, he returned to perform Can’t Smile Without You.
“Manilow praised all of his fans for attending and had a quiet word for their escorts when he said leading into the final finale: ‘For those who were dragged here, this will be agony’. But even those who were forced into going must have appreciated the professionalism of the man who continues to write the songs that make the whole world sing, and who entertained for more than two hours.”
That was 25 years ago. Later this year the singer turns 80, but he shows no sign of slowing down. His band began a 57-date US tour last week, his stage musical Harmony is set to open on Broadway this year, and he also has an album of new songs “with beautiful melodies and great lyrics” coming out.
The star, who will become an octogenarian in June, said: “I think of people who are 80 - they look older than I do. They’re retired. You know, that ain’t me. I’m just gettin’ started. I never really think about this age thing. I don’t feel it. Nothing has changed. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. But so far, so good.”
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