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| June 13, 2007 | Vegas Pop | "50,000,000 Elvis Presley Fans Can Be Wrong: Manilow Is the Man" |
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| When people think of crazy music fans, old TV images of girls pulling their hair out at an Elvis Presley concert or fainting at the [sight] of The Beatles come to mind. Then there are Jimmy [Buffett]'s Parrot Heads with their props and costumes that proudly defy interpretation. Perhaps the most overlooked crazed fan base is the Fanilows, fans of Barry Manilow. Even though Fanilows were 'outed' on an episode of 'Will & Grace,' they still largely remain unrecognized in the shadows of fandom. Since 2005 when Barry launched his 'Music and Passion' show at the Las Vegas Hilton, Vegas has been Fanilow central. Ironically, the Hilton is the same location Elvis performed in his '70s Vegas heyday when it was known as the International. Whereas there is a statue commemorating the King of Rock 'n' Roll's appearances there, Barry has the largest hand-painted mural in Vegas celebrating his run in Vegas. Unless someone has a visible 'Tony Hearts Lola' tattoo, it's hard to spot a Fanilow. There are really no outwardly detectable clues. Fanilows are not so much into the self-mutilation like the Elvis fans, but are more passionate seemingly borrowing a line from Barry's 'Copacabana' hit: "Music and passion are always in fashion" when it comes to the Fanilows and their love for the Manilow. Fanilows tend to be collectors and express their hopeless devotion with Barry-flavored merchandise. You might be a Fanilow if you walk into your living room and you have more than 100 Barrys looking back at you in the form of pillows, blankets, posters and the obligatory bobble head dressed in Barry's signature red velvet jacket. In fact, you can buy one of four Barry bobbleheads at the Barry Manilow store at the Las Vegas Hilton. Some of the more interesting trinkets to prove your Fanilowness are a dog sweater, the baby onesie, the light-up fan and the slot machine. You should browse the Barry Manilow online store. There's fragrance, lip balm, dog tags and even Barry wine. In the Barry vs. Elvis debate it's interesting that Elvis is more associated with Vegas than any other music legend. I know Wayne Newton is Mr. [Las] Vegas and my fellow [Sinatrians] will disagree, but how many Frank Sinatra and Wayne Newton impersonators are marrying couples on Las Vegas Blvd.? If the Fanilows have anything to say about it, Barry will be in Vegas for many years and he will become The Mr. [Las] Vegas. Maybe one day, in the not so distant future, someone that looks like Barry will be ordained as a minister and vested by the State of Nevada to marry couples and then the Fanilows can drive down the Strip in a Barry Manilow themed car and blast "Looks Like We Made It." On a side note, Sunday, June 17 is Barry Manilow's birthday. So Happy Birthday, Barry! |
| April 6, 2007 | People Books
American Idol: Where Are They Now? | The Mentor: A Music Legend Shares His Take on the Making of an Idol |
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| Barry Manilow reflects on his experiences as a mentor during American Idol in 2004 and 2006. "I was originally asked to be a celebrity judge. But I said I just can't sit in the judge's chair while the kids sing from my songbook ... you've got to let me work with them. I'm an arranger. It's what I do. I wanted to find out why they were doing each song and to show them how to make it their own ... It was like an epiphany. Suddenly everybody realized there was another way to perform songs." On Season 3: "After we had finished all the arrangements, I came to a tracking session and made sure the orchestra sounded the way I wanted it to. And then the kids came in and sang. I really noticed Jennifer Hudson's talent. I was surprised when she was voted off. I'm not surprised at all to see where she is today ... John Stevens had chosen 'Mandy.' I said, 'who is Mandy to you, [and] why are you saying you sent her away?' Suddenly he became a singer." On Season 5: "The theme was '50s songs, and I was promoting my album The Greatest Songs of the Fifties. I would talk to the kids on the phone and ask them questions. And then I would call them back with the arrangements. I didn't hear them sing until I came to L.A. for the show ... Katharine McPhee was really great ... And Chris Daughtry. I told him, 'You don't need me, baby. Just keep going' ... Mandisa, wow! She could have easily had that role in Dreamgirls. What a voice, what a personality. I try to teach them about rejection. You have to love what you are doing. You gotta do it because you cannot not do it." On Success... and Passion: "In my concerts I tell audiences that I'm an older version of Clay Aiken. He's got the potential to have a very long career, if he doesn't self-destruct. When you get this success overnight, it's more difficult than it is for someone who comes up like I did playing in piano bars and learning my craft. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood seem to be handling it just fine. Taylor Hicks will be fine ... My show in Vegas is called Music and Passion, and I ain't kidding. That's my life." |
| March 9, 2007 | Press Release
(SOURCE: STILETTO) | Barry Manilow, STILETTO New Media and Rhino Entertainment Garner Special Award at Music DVD Awards |
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| WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 3rd Annual Music DVD Awards, presented this Tuesday at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel, Barry Manilow and Rhino Entertainment received a special award for their series of concert video DVDs. From STILETTO New Media and Rhino Entertainment, MANILOW: MUSIC AND PASSION and FIRST & FAREWELL were recognized for their tremendous sales and groundbreaking success. The special distinction award applauded Barry Manilow for his long standing contributions to the music video and DVD industry as well as his continuous support of great products. In 2006, MUSIC AND PASSION and FIRST & FAREWELL have both gone multi-platinum and Manilow was recognized with an Emmy Award for his MUSIC AND PASSION concert special on which the DVD was based. Throughout his long career, Barry Manilow has had multiple highly successful VHS and DVD releases, and the special award recognized him for those achievements. Mark C. Grove of STILETTO New Media commented, "It's a great honor to be recognized by our peers. We thoroughly enjoyed working with Barry on both of these projects. We feel that he is the consummate professional. This award celebrates Barry Manilow's career as a musician, songwriter, producer and performer. It was an honor to work with such a talented and terrific individual." The third annual Music DVD Awards were part of the third annual Music DVD Conference, produced by Home Media Magazine in partnership with The Hollywood Reporter, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group and the Entertainment Merchants Assn. A panel of entertainment journalists judged the awards, in which music DVDs released in 2006 competed in eight categories. Barry Manilow's unparalleled career encompasses virtually every arena of music, including performing, composing, arranging, and producing and has triumphed in every medium of entertainment. Industry charts have ranked him the undisputed number one adult contemporary artist of all time with record sales exceeding 75 million worldwide. This musical icon has written hundreds of songs and performed around the globe thrilling millions of fans, winning a Grammy, two Emmys, several Tony Awards, and an Oscar nomination along the way. In 2006 Manilow celebrated one of the most successful years of his career with his The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties becoming not only his first number one debut, but his first number one album since 1977; the PBS-aired Manilow: Music and Passion, in celebration of his 100th performance at the Las Vegas Hilton, garnering Manilow his second Emmy; and his The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties hit the charts at Number Two, allowing Manilow to experience something no other performer ever had -- two albums in the same calendar year hitting the number one and number two spots respectively! |
| February 9, 2007 | Vegas Pop | Mighty Manilow: The Largest Hand Painted Mural in Las Vegas is Unveiled |
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| Barry Manilow has been filling the Las Vegas Hilton showroom since his "Music and Passion" show debuted in February of 2005. But apparently the Hilton wants to make sure that everybody knows where to find the pop superstar, hence the unveiling of the largest hand painted mural in Las Vegas. The 128'x56'10" image of the man behind "Mandy" is now on display on the property's main tower. It took five days to prepare and paint the mural, which towers over the city like a Copacabana colossus. And the company who created the mural promised that "just like Barry, it will have staying power - the elements can't affect it." |
| February 2, 2007 | Die Is Cast | Barry In The Sky |
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| This is one of those things that's just too Vegas not to mention. The Hilton just sent out a press release announcing that it now holds the record for the biggest hand-painted mural in town. If you�ve driven by, it won't take you long to guess who's on it. The Las Vegas Hilton is now home to the largest hand painted mural in Las Vegas, with the 128'x56'10" image of Hilton headliner Barry Manilow on display on the property's main tower (South facing). The mural was installed over a five day period using a grid system to prepare the image and three painters using brushes and rollers to complete the finished mural on Saturday, February 3. "We wanted to reflect Barry's presence at our property in a big and unique way" said Ken Ciancimino, Las Vegas Hilton executive vice-president. "It can't get much bigger than this and, just like Barry, it will have staying power-the elements can't affect it." Sky Tag, the company responsible for the mural, specializes in spectacular images in metropolitan areas ... This is the biggest superstar mural the company has painted in Las Vegas. Manilow opened "Music and Passion" at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 23, 2005 and in March 2006, the resort extended his exclusive long-term engagement through 2008. "Manilow: Music and Passion" is an exciting, multi-faceted production that features contemporary hi-tech music and effects mixed with the classic entertainment values of Las Vegas legends such as Sinatra, Presley, Davis, and Martin. It stars Manilow and a cast and band of 14, offering not only a full-scale production but also the intimacy of a state-of-the-art 1,700-seat theater, unique "on-stage" seating, incredible songs and a concert that changes on a nightly basis.
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| February 1, 2007 | Press Release
SOURCE: J RECORDS | Get That 'Lovin' Feeling' This Valentine's Day With Barry Manilow's, The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties |
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| NEW YORK -- Barry Manilow's The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties, is the gift to give this Valentine's Day with a romantic compilation of some of the best songs from the Sixties: "What The World Needs Now Is Love," "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You," Can't Help Falling In Love," "And I Love Her," "This Guy's In Love," and "When I Fall In Love." For Manilow, The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties punctuates one of the most successful years of his entire career, debuting at #2 on Nielsen SoundScan. The album is a follow-up to the RIAA platinum The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties, which was also his first album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart upon its release on January 31st, 2006. Manilow is the only artist of 2006 to have two albums debut in the top 2 chart positions in the same calendar year. With The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties Barry Manilow pays a loving and welcome tribute to some of the songs that inspired him to become one of the most beloved performers in pop music of the past three decades. Barry Manilow: The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties (Final Track Listing and Sequence) "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (1967)
"Cherish" (1966)/"Windy" (1967) (Duet with The Association)
"Can't Help Falling In Love" (1962)
"There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)" (1967)
"Blue Velvet" (1963)
"Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" (1969)
"And I Love Her" (1964)
"This Guy's In Love With You" (1968)
"Everybody Loves Somebody" (1964)
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling'" (1965)
"When I Fall In Love" (1962)
"Strangers In The Night" (1966)
"What The World Needs Now Is Love" (1965)
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| January 24, 2007 | The Desert Sun | Manilow to perform Vegas show for City of Hope |
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| Music star and Palm Springs resident Barry Manilow will dedicate his hit show, "Music and Passion," to the City of Hope Feb. 13 at the Las Vegas Hilton. The Duarte-based hospital offers research and treatment for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. It is supported by several auxiliaries in the Coachella Valley. Manilow, whose recent album, "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties," debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts, won an Emmy Award for the PBS Special on his "Music and Passion" show. Tickets can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office, at lvhilton.com or ticketmaster.com, or at 800-222-5361. City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope's research and treatment protocols impact care throughout the nation. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics and shares its scientific knowledge with medical centers locally and globally, helping patients battling serious diseases. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org. |
| January 19, 2007 | Newsday.com | "A Barry blast from the past" by Martin Johnson |
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| Barry Manilow is a perfect fit for the baby-boomer nostalgia circuit that Rod Stewart established as a very big business with his wildly successful Great American Songbook recordings. Even in the '70s, many of Manilow's hits had a yearning for an aspect of glitz and glamour of a bygone era. Tuesday night he played the first of three shows at Madison Square Garden as a prelude to an extended engagement in Las Vegas. Manilow began pursuing this route more than a decade before Stewart released his first songbook disc. In 1991, he recorded "Showstoppers" (Arista), a collection of Broadway evergreens. Three years later, he recorded with a series of shadow big bands. Thus, he was a veteran of the nostalgia circuit by the time he released "The Greatest Songs of the Fifties" (Arista), a disc that shot to No.1 last winter. The success of that disc prompted a follow-up, "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties" (Arista), released on Halloween. Manilow's show is tailor-made for Vegas, full of elaborate sets and extravagantly costumed background singers and dancers. The admirably svelte singer went through about 10 blazers, which made me think some menswear company missed a good sponsorship opportunity. Although Manilow is touring behind the success of recordings dedicated to the music of the '50s and '60s, he started with material from his favorite '70s composer - you know, this guy from Brooklyn, Barry something or other. He opened the set with "It's a Miracle" and ran through "I Made It Through the Rain" and "Looks Like We Made it" at breakneck speed. He then launched into a series of big-band hits before racing though some of his '50s tunes. He ended the set on a high note, peeking into the '80s for his own hit, "Brooklyn Blues," which featured saxophonist Dave Koz and his band riffing on hard bop themes. The second set maintained the first one's pace ... "Can't Smile Without You," "Mandy," a few songs from the "Sixties" disc, and - of course - "Copacabana" was the finale. It was state-of-the-art treacle delivered with state-of-the-art bombast. Just as Manilow is a perfect fit for this show, this show should be a perfect fit for Vegas. |
| January 18, 2007 | New York Times | "He Writes the Songs, He Spans the Decades, He Inspires the Karaoke" by Kelefa Sanneh |
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| "I'm 95 years old and I look great, right?" That was Barry Manilow at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, telling a fib, and earning another big ovation. In any case there's no denying that his career has aged spectacularly well. Tuesday's concert was the first of three appearances at the Garden. Fans paid as much as $294.80, including Ticketmaster fees, to watch him sashay across the stage and croon the old hits. The theme of the show is "Music and Passion," after a line from "Copacabana (At the Copa)"... After tonight's concert, the last of the three, this production is scheduled to return, in modified form, to its home at the Las Vegas Hilton. According to the trade magazine Pollstar, Mr. Manilow's concerts grossed $29.2 million last year. And "The Greatest Songs of the Fifties" (Arista), the first of two CDs he released last year, made its debut at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart. The sequel, "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties" (Arista), made its debut at No. 2, with more than 200,000 units sold in its first week. That's more than three times the sales for this week's No. 1 album, the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack. "I think that the public is just starving for a good melody and a good lyric," he said, by way of explaining the success of his recent CDs. Thirty-four years after the release of his debut album, Mr. Manilow remains one of the most popular singers in America. Tuesday's concert helped show why: It was a daffy delight, especially the first half. "All I can hope is that these songs are ruined in karaoke bars for years to come," he said, and that sums up his approach pretty well. There's something unpretentious about the way he strains for grandeur. And when he sings his biggest and best songs � for instance, "Looks Like We Made It," that triumphant ode to romantic failure -- he collapses the distance between sublime and ridiculous. He can still rear back, raise his arms and hit the high notes ("Somewhere in the niiight!"). He knows how to extend an inspirational ballad with an inspirational story (He interrupted "I Made It Through the Rain" to reminisce about traveling with his grandfather from Brooklyn to Manhattan). When he finally sang "Mandy," in a duet with a video projection of his younger self, it was clear that his spot in karaoke bars was well secure. But why stop there? Inspired by the success of his two recent CDs, America's spriest 95-year-old seemed ready to Manilowify the whole of pop music history. He transported himself to 1943 to revisit "Singin' With the Big Bands," his 1994 album. Then it was 1956, and the stage became an "American Bandstand" set, with a fake TV camera. On to the 1960s: Mr. Manilow took a drag, or pretended to, from "one of those funny cigarettes" and the Beatles' "Yesterday" got an oleaginous makeover. "I guess it's time for the '70s," he said, as another decade fell away. Even in a show as well oiled as this one, there were was some downtime. The saxophonist Dave Koz oozed onto the stage for a couple of interminable songs. "He is the one that is keeping jazz alive," Mr. Manilow said. |
| January 12, 2007 | North Jersey Media Group | "He wrote the songs that made us sing" by Robert Bieselin |
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| After the two-disc "First and Farewell" concert DVD chronicling his farewell tour went platinum in less than three months and his Las Vegas show "Music and Passion" recently earned him an Emmy, it only made sense for Barry Manilow to take his act back into the spotlight. Accordingly, Manilow is coming to Madison Square Garden for a three-night stand. Even in his quasi-retirement, Manilow has been keeping busy. He has been giving back to the needy as well. Monday, he played a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Portland, Oregon. He also paired up with Suzanne Somers in Palm Springs, California, a month earlier for a cabaret show benefitting a local SafeHouse and Police Athletic League. Thursday's show at the Garden is sold out, but "Fanilows" have two more chances to catch his act. 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Madison Square Garden, Manhattan; Ticketmaster or thegarden.com. $49.50, $75, $150, $279.50. |
| January 9, 2007 | KOIN News 6 | Manilow Rocks Portland For Charity |
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| PORTLAND - Barry Manilow was in town Monday night for a rare and special concert. The singer/songwriter held a benefit concert at Portland's Rose Garden for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Manilow became interested in cystic fibrosis after meeting a girl in Las Vegas with the life-threatening disease. Fanilows were thrilled to see him and help out a worthy cause. "I think that's the best part of it, and that's the reason why we did come to help donate to the cause," June McDonald told KOIN News 6. Monday's concert is one of only two he's doing this year outside of Vegas. |
| January 5, 2007 | Oregon LIVE | "Barry Manilow: Looks like he made it" by Ed Condran |
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ALSO...
January 13, 2007 | Asbury Park Press | "Barry Manilow takes Manhattan" by Ed Condran |
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| Barry Manilow will perform Monday at the Rose Garden arena, a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The veteran singer-songwriter recently phoned from his Palm Springs, Calif., home. Oregon Live (OL): You said farewell, and you're back already. Your word is right up there with the Eagles'.
Barry Manilow (BM): When I said farewell to touring, I meant it. Once every few months I'll do an arena show. The show in Portland is special. It's a benefit for cystic fibrosis.... But I don't want to tour anymore. I don't want to go on the road. I'll do shows. OL: Is that why you're doing an extended run in Las Vegas?
BM. Yes. At the end of my last tour, I was asked about doing Vegas. It made sense. It's close to home. I can do the show and go home. OL: Rumor has it that you stay in Elvis Presley's old suite at the Hilton.
BM: That's true. OL: Has Elvis truly left the building, or are there ghosts?
BM: I haven't seen Elvis, but I do get the urge to grab my guitar and swivel my hips when I'm in the suite. OL: One of your biggest hits is "I Write the Songs," but since the '90s, you've primarily been an interpreter. Why?
BM: Two words: Clive Davis. When you're Paul McCartney, Elton John or Sting, you can continue having a career writing original music. But even those three, who are the most brilliant songwriters on the planet, have trouble getting on the radio. They've written the most brilliant songs you can ever think of but they haven't had it so easy over recent years. The way Clive and I can sell my records is by me doing famous titles, and it's worked. It's too bad, because I love writing songs, but I see what's happening to my colleagues. The first album we did, the '50s album ("The Greatest Songs of the Fifties") went No. 1 and went platinum in two weeks, and the same thing happened with my '60s album. OL: You started out as a jingle writer. What's the difference between writing catchy jingles and catchy pop songs?
BM: You really have to write a catchy hook in 30 seconds when you're doing jingles.... I went to Juilliard and took piano lessons forever. But those three years writing jingles taught me how to make records and make pop songs. OL: Love songs are on the wane in the world of pop radio. Angst rules.
BM: That's so in radio. But it's not so in my house or keyboard or in my mind. It's easier to program angrier, cruder, tasteless music these days. It's easier for them to add that type of song to a playlist than add a melodic love song. I put out an album with material over 30 years old and it goes to No. 1. There is an audience out there that is dying, starving for a good love song lyric. OL: In your 1987 autobiography, "Sweet Life: Adventures on the Way to Paradise," you wrote that you were surprised that critics dismiss your work. Do you still care about what's written about you?
BM: I don't look at that stuff too much anymore. The writers seem to have come around. They don't kill me as much as they did. I was always surprised that they were compelled to be so mean-spirited to someone they never met. You would think that I would have hurt them in some way. I was shocked that they didn't like what I did. I thought my work was great. I still think my work is fantastic. You play "Weekend in New England" and I still think it's great. OL: But critics have savaged those who sing love songs for years.
BM: In my crooner world, Frank Sinatra was absolutely annihilated. Guys like us, Michael Bolton, Lionel Richie and Richard Marx, who sing melodic love songs, it's hard for critics to wrap their arms around us. It's much easier for critics to like Aerosmith and rap because it's much more masculine and angry. But the audiences were always behind me. OL: What advice have you given the American Idols?
BM: I give them encouragement and a few pointers. They seem to enjoy it. I hope it helps. Most of them have so little clue how to perform. OL: Is it true that when you were green you sought advice from the Playboy Advisor?
BM: Yes. I asked if I should leave my steady job (in 1965) and go on the road and take a chance on my career. The advice was to "sow my wild notes," and I did. |
| January 3, 2007 | Press Release (SOURCE: RHINO ENTERTAINMENT) | Looks Like He Made It: Barry Manilow's "FIRST & FAREWELL" DVD Is Certified Platinum in One Month! |
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| LOS ANGELES, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 3, 2007 -- "FIRST & FAREWELL," Barry Manilow's groundbreaking double-DVD set from Rhino and STILETTO New Media has just gone platinum -- in just over one month after its release in late October. Disc one of the 2-DVD set features never-before-seen footage from Manilow's inaugural tour rehearsal at Carroll's Studio in New York City in 1974, which was the first time Barry was ever recorded on videotape! The second DVD captures the final concert of the historic "One Night Live! One Last Time!" Farewell Tour in 2004 -- recorded at The Pond in Anaheim, California. These two special performances confirmed for critics and fans alike that Barry Manilow would be the music world's most enduring male entertainer for years to come. "First and foremost, I want to thank my fans, who have been my inspiration for over 30 years. I only hope that they enjoy this DVD as much as I did putting it together," Manilow said. For over thirty years Mr. Manilow's accomplishments in music, in television and on stage have set virtually unbreakable records, and it was this first live performance at Carroll's Studio that previewed for an intimate audience the unparalleled range of talent and originality that would distinguish him as both a legend and a trailblazer. Manilow is the first artist ever to release such a retrospective of his career, and his pioneering effort has clearly resonated with multiple generations of fans. "It is so gratifying to know that Barry's fans are as strong today as ever. He has been at the top of his game for over 30 years, and this DVD reinforces that music lovers of all ages are flocking to buy 'FIRST & FAREWELL,'" Mark C. Grove, principal in STILETTO New Media, said. Rhino Entertainment, industry leader in marketing and distribution of music and television on DVD, notes that in bringing Manilow's first videotaped performance and his 2004 farewell tour to DVD for the first time ever, they are making available to the public a look at the beginnings of a legendary artist never seen before. "MANILOW: MUSIC AND PASSION" DVD was the first title released under the new multi-year agreement with Rhino Entertainment and STILETTO New Media. "MANILOW: MUSIC AND PASSION" DVD had a street date of March 28, 2006 and has already been certified three-times platinum. 2006 has been an incredible record-breaking year for Manilow. His brand new album "THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES" released October 31st was certified gold by the RIAA, exactly one month from its street date. Earlier this year his album "THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES" certified platinum. This is the first time ever for Manilow to have two albums of new material certify gold and platinum in the same calendar year and, at the same time, two DVDs certified platinum and multi-platinum in that same year. Manilow also received this year an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for "MANILOW: MUSIC AND PASSION." |
| December 15, 2006 | Elites TV | He Is Music ... Manilow Has The Midas Touch |
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| 2006 has been an incredible record- breaking year for Manilow. His brand new album THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES released October 31st was certified gold by the RIAA, exactly one month from its street date. This is the first time since 1981 for Manilow to have two albums of new material certify gold in the same calendar year, and his SIXTIES album hits the gold mark faster than his Fifties album released January 31st. In addition, his best-selling greatest hits collection, Ultimate Manilow (Arista, 2002) was just certified double platinum yesterday and was voted the artist of the month for December on MSN.com with a landslide 91% of votes over other chart topping contenders Jay-Z, Foo Fighters, Lucinda Williams and Tenacious D. With the release of GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES, Manilow enjoyed an unprecedented record launch which garnered him the biggest sales week of his career when it debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #2 with 201,904 copies sold, a 30% sales increase over his Fifties album released just 9 months before. THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES is his 13-song tribute that arrived in stores on October 31st and the follow-up to the RIAA platinum The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties, the first album in Barry Manilow's career to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart upon its release this year on January 31st. Manilow is the only artist of 2006 to have two albums debut in the top 2 chart positions in the same calendar year... |
| December 14, 2006 | Press Release
Source: Carol Marshall Public Relations on behalf of Barry Manilow | Barry Manilow Tickets Go on Sale December 15 for 2007 at Las Vegas Hilton |
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| LAS VEGAS, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Tickets for 2007 for Barry Manilow's hit show "Manilow: Music and Passion" at the Las Vegas Hilton go on sale December 15, it was announced today by Hilton executives. Manilow returned to the Las Vegas Hilton in November on the heels of a truly outstanding year, which began with his "Greatest Songs of the Fifties" debuting at # 1 on the charts and quickly achieving platinum status. He then received an Emmy Award for his PBS television special, "Manilow: Music and Passion," with the DVD achieving triple platinum status. The year culminated with the unprecedented record launch of his "Greatest Songs of the Sixties," which garnered him the biggest sales week of his career when it debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #2. "Manilow: Music and Passion" is an exciting, multi-faceted production that features contemporary hi-tech music and effects mixed with the classic entertainment values of Las Vegas legends such as Sinatra, Presley, Davis, and Martin. It stars Manilow and a cast and band of 14, offering not only a full scale production but also the intimacy of a state-of-the-art 1,700-seat theater, unique "on-stage" seating, incredible songs and a concert that changes on a nightly basis. "Manilow: Music and Passion" will continue to perform Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. in the legendary Hilton Theater, with some weekly engagements including Tuesday performances. Tickets can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office or by logging onto www.lvhilton.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or www.Vegas.com or by phone at 702-732-5755 or 1-800-222-5361. |
| December 3, 2006 | Independent Television News | Fans cheer Barry Manilow |
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| Hundreds of Barry Manilow fans swamped central London to see their favourite star fresh from his appearance on the X Factor. Barry was in town to promote his new album featuring some of his favourite songs from the Sixties like, "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" and "When I Fall In Love." Barry's own special group of fans - known as the 'Mannyfans' were in Oxford Street to give him a big welcome. Talking about the new album, Barry said: "I put down a list of about 250 songs that I thought I could sound good on. I sent them out to everybody I knew and I said, pick your favourite 13 songs - and these same songs kept coming back." Barry said he had enjoyed being a guest on X Factor. "I thought it was great. I loved it. I would love to do it every week. I love working with these youngsters. They are like sponges. They can't get enough of any kind of input from somebody that has done it before." |
| November 15, 2006 | Entertainment News and Views | "Giving Thanks for Barry Manilow Over the Holidays" by Marvin Glassman |
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| It may take the entire Thanksgiving Day weekend to listen to the four CDs and two-disc DVD that singer Barry Manilow has released recently in time for the holiday. These are the Manilow new releases now available in music stores and other retail outlets: "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties" CD (Arista) The music does not recall the Vietnam War nor reflect the student violence of the decade through Bob Dylan songs or the rock music of the day. Instead, Manilow wisely chose the most memorable romantic songs of the era, 13 standards originally done by Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli, Bobby Vinton, among others, with songs written by Burt Bacharach and John Lennon/Paul McCartney. As a result, Manilow has done to the '60s (as he did to the '50s with an earlier CD) what Michael Feinstein has done with the Gershwin and Porter standards of the '30s -- select songs that will be in the Great American Songbook for generations to come. Manilow's voice range and arrangements make these old songs come alive, and in some cases, better than the original artists. Manilow has long been recognized as a great interpreter of the standards and he proves it again. Among the most outstanding songs were "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You," where Manilow wisely kept the Bob Gaudio horn arrangement combined with the addictive chorus "I love you baby" that makes this song an instant dance favorite. "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" features Manilow's dramatic phrasing of the lyric with more emotion than the original Righteous Brothers version. His emotion also makes the Bacharach "What the World Needs Now Is Love" an improvement over the original Jacke DeShannon version. "And I Love Her" combines Manilow's voice with guitarist Ken Berry to keep the best of the Beatles ballads alive. A personal highlight is the blending of The Association with Manilow in "Cherish/Windy" with a soothing sound and imaginative arrangement. Released on October 31, the new CD sold over 200,000 copies -- making it number two [on] the charts for its debut week. "First and Farewell" 2-Disc DVD (Rhino) Barry Manilow may be the only singer ever in the history of show business who never wanted to be a performer. Ironically, it is Manilow's great skill as a stage performer in concert that has kept his long career going long after radio has stopped playing many of his hit songs. The two-disc set is a celebration of Manilow's first and last tour on the road. Disc one [is a recording of] Manilow's rehearsal before his first tour in 1974. The video -- not intended for public viewing -- is black and white and does not have close-ups of Barry Manilow or the band. [Despite this], the footage is a joy to watch because the viewer sees the birth of a star to come. Still a bit raw and not venturing beyond the piano, young Barry shows his musicianship creating a program of jazz ("Cloudburst"), novelty (commercial jingles, some products that did not last as long as Manilow's career), Broadway (a song from "Candide") as well as his own songs ("Could It Be Magic"). Young Barry's wit, charm and vulnerability shine throughout the show, making him endearing to the audience. A highlight was Manilow recalling the days when he and his duet partner were fired for their performance and then gave a snippet of what got them fired. In disc two, we see the more polished and sophisticated Manilow with a much bigger budget, more closeups, more familiar songs on his last road tour in 2004. But, as in disc one, it's still Manilow's craft as a musician and his enchanting personality that makes him endearing. Highlights include showcasing sax players Dave Koz and George Shelby in "Brooklyn Blues," Manilow's dramatic singing in Joni Mitchell's "River," Manilow teaming with Brian d'Arcy James in "Every Single Day" and the stunning costume and stage effects in "Dancin' Fool." "Barry Manilow Arista Legacy Editions" (Legacy) Those who miss hearing Barry Manilow's written songs will appreciate Legacy releasing his old CDs "Barry Manilow I," "This One's For You" and "One Voice" with 12 Manilow penned songs that were not originally released in the 1970s. These songs seem more personal to the listener than his current "Greatest Songs of the Sixties" CD. Some of the more outstanding include "Star Children" (from "Barry Manilow 1"), a salute to the early departure of rock stars Hendrix and Joplin, "This is Fine" (from "This One's for You"), a jazz song that should have been included in Manilow's classic jazz CD "Paradise Cafe" and "I Really Do Write the Songs" (from "This One's for You") the first and only Manilow song that is intended to make you laugh. Manilow sings of how a commercial song is made and has a humorous response to not writing "I Write the Songs." If all these products are not enough of Barry Manilow for you for Thanksgiving, he will be singing at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on NBC Thanksgiving Day morning. For more information on the new Barry Manilow releases, go to www.manilow.com or to www.barrynethomepage.com. |
| November 8, 2006 | Press Release
(SOURCE: ARISTA RECORDS) | Barry Manilow's THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES Debuts at #2: #1 Artist Album Release on the Top 200 -
Manilow's Biggest Sales Week of His Career! / The Follow-Up to THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES, His RIAA #1 Platinum Debut Released in January of This Year Which Re-Enters the Top 200 / Highest QVC pre-release music sales event, plus online fan club and retail pre-orders, and mass media exposure combine with huge retail scans to earn 201,904 first week sales / Another chart-topping success caps an extraordinary year for Manilow |
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| NEW YORK, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightning strikes twice in 2006 for Arista recording artist Barry Manilow, as massive online fan club and QVC shopping network advance orders, coupled with six figure sales at retail, plus an unprecedented television blitz and direct response advertising campaign, add up to the biggest sales week of Manilow's highly successful career, with a #2 Nielsen SoundScan debut with 201,904 copies sold, a 30% sales increase over his Fifties album released just 9 months ago. THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES is his 13-song tribute that arrived in stores on October 31st and the follow-up to the RIAA platinum The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties, which skyrocketed back on the chart this week at #116 with a 205% increase and was the first album in Barry Manilow's career to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart upon its release this year on January 31st. Manilow is the only artist of 2006 to have two albums debut in the top 2 chart positions in the same calendar year. The pre-release of THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES was kicked off on Saturday, October 21st when Manilow performed live from Chicago for the QVC audience. More than 43,000 units ordered marked the highest single-hour music sales event in QVC's twenty-year history. At the same time, a special pre- order campaign at the http://www.manilow.com website ensured fans of receiving the new album in its first week of release. Online, the album blanketed the web with album premieres on AOL, MSN, Windows Media, MP3 & Artist Direct, and Clearchannel.com. Also, Manilow was everywhere on television with appearances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "CNN," "A&E Biography," "Good Morning America," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "The Colbert Report," "The View, "The Martha Stewart Show", "Rachael Ray," "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," "The Megan Mullally Show" and multiple appearances on "Entertainment Tonight," and "The Insider." Stay tuned for his appearance later this month on the American Music Awards and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The two current Fifties and Sixties albums mark the winning reunion in the studio for co-producers Manilow and Clive Davis, Arista founder and BMG U.S. Chairman & CEO. THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES also caps one of the most remarkable years of Manilow's long and storied career, which includes the success of 2006's The Greatest Songs From The Fifties (his first #1 chart album in nearly three decades), the renewal extension of his exclusive performing contract with the Las Vegas Hilton Theater ("Manilow: Music & Passion") through 2008, and winning his second career Emmy Award (this past August), when "Manilow: Music & Passion" was awarded Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program. Each song on THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES is a classic in its own right -- from his remake of the Righteous Brothers "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling'" (1965) to the Beatles' "And I Love Her"(1964), to Herb Alpert's "This Guy's In Love With You" (1968), the Lettermen's "When I Fall In Love" (1962) and Burt Bacharach's "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" (1969). Like the '60s itself, the album covers many genres, from its recollection of Herman's Hermits' "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)"(1967), to Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet" (1963), to Jackie DeShannon's "What The World Needs Now Is Love" (1965). Manilow also pays tribute to some of America's greatest singers, including Dean Martin on "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime" (1964) and Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (1967). Two artists whose legacies were recalled on The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties are again paid homage on the new album, namely Elvis Presley with "Can't Help Falling In Love" (1962) and Frank Sinatra with "Strangers In The Night" (1966). One of the highlights of the album is a great duet with The Association of their two #1 hits "Cherish" (1966) and "Windy" (1967). With worldwide record sales exceeding 75 million, his work as a singer, songwriter, arranger and producer over the course of more than 40 albums has earned Barry Manilow the highest honors. He sits on the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Jazz, and in June 2002, he was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music's Songwriters Hall of Fame, alongside Ashford & Simpson, Michael Jackson, Randy Newman, and Sting. In addition to his own foundation, the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope, other involvements include The Prince's Trust, United Way, the Starlight Foundation, numerous organizations fighting the battle against AIDS, and many others. He is the national spokesperson for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Honorary Chairman of the Palm Springs Art Museum and a Founder of the Music Center of Los Angeles. |
| November 6, 2006 | About.com | "Barry Manilow - The Greatest Songs of the Sixties: Another Pleasurable Trip Down Memory Lane" by Bill Lamb |
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| For those old enough to remember, there was a time when popular celebrities would show off their vocal skills either recording an album of current pop hit songs or simply appear on television variety shows performing in production numbers centered around top tunes. That day is long gone, but Barry Manilow's latest collection brings that feeling back. An album like The Greatest Songs of the Sixties must rely on stellar song choice and picture perfect orchestrations to carry the day. Fortunately, Barry Manilow has both here. Anchored by a trio of Burt Bacharach and Hal David classics along with "And I Love Her," one of the best Lennon-McCartney songs of all time, it's hard to see how the song choice could have been better. The "Cherish"/"Windy" duet with the Association and Herman's Hermits "There's a Kind of Hush" play up the schmaltz factor a bit, but they are also contagiously infectious.
In an unusual shift for Barry Manilow, there is very little piano up front in the mixes of these songs, but the orchestrations uniformly deliver a light, elegant, and warmly nostalgic touch. The piano is a stronger presence on "This Guy's In Love With You," and it helps this performance rival Herb Alpert's original with the Tijuana Brass. |
| November 1, 2006 | HITS Daily Double | MAN O MANILOW! J/RMG's Man Who Writes the Songs Will Duke It Out With Hannah Montana, Birdman & Lil' Wayne for #1 |
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| He writes the songs and apparently he sells the discs, too. Barry Manilow's new J/RMG album, The Greatest Songs of the Sixties -- and, no, he doesn't do "Wild Thing" -- continues his remarkable comeback, with an impressive first week that could go as high as 190k, thanks to a QVC appearance. You haven't lived until you hear him do his medley of the Association's "Cherish" and "Windy." That would put him in a three-way race with Cash Money/Universal rappers Birdman & Lil' Wayne and last week's chart-topper, Walt Disney Records' Hannah Montana soundtrack for the #1 spot on next Tuesday's HITS Top 50, both in the 175-190k range. That is, if we're to believe the one-day sales reports from our crack group of retailers around the country. The first new Who album of original material since 1982's It's Hard, Endless Wire, looks headed past 100k, and could go as high as 120k. Virgin's Meat Loaf album, the conclusion of his Bat Out of Hell trilogy, is looking in the 70-80k range, the same estimated total for Maverick/Reprise's Deftones. BNA/Sony BMG Nashville's American Idol alumnus Kellie Pickler is headed for a number north of 70k, thanks to a slew of TV, including Good Morning America today and The View tomorrow, so this could go even higher. Def Jam/IDJ's highly touted U.K. rapper Lady Sovereign, signed by Jay-Z himself, should make the fringes of the Top 50 with between 15-20k. The market was up almost 2% from last week, down 2% vs. same week last year and now down a little over 5% year-to-date. |
| October 31, 2006 | United Press International | New Barry Manilow album revisits the '60s |
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| LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Barry Manilow said he felt it was "logical" to do a collection of '60s songs for his latest album. "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties" follows Manilow's "The Greatest Songs of the Fifties," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. After that success, Manilow said, he had no qualms about exploring another decade's music. "I had no idea that there was going to be another one; I wasn't even sure (the 'Fifties' album would work," he said. "But as soon as that one went No. 1, I saw that we were on to something big. And, of course, the logical follow-up would the '60s." "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties" includes Manilow covers of songs by the Beatles, the Righteous Brothers, Herb Alpert, Burt Bacharach, Elvis Presley, Herman's Hermits and others. Manilow recently set a record on the cable shopping channel QVC, selling more than 43,000 copies of the album during an appearance. |
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