Past Performances - 1978-1979

Back to 1977?

...Start of 1978...

1978
When
 Where
 Memories
June 1978Maryland/Columbia
(Merriweather Post Pavilion)		First Show - Judith (Jude) Socher (3/5/98)

First Show - Barb (of Altoona, PA) (4/14/2000)

First Show - Caroline (of Maryland) (1/28/2001)

I was 15 and this was my very first concert! You know the hormones are raging and all the loves songs spoke to me! I remember my mom and dad bought me the tickets for my birthday in May. They were $12.00 a piece! And since I was mad at my friend (Audrey) who told me she thought Barry was stupid, I took her sister "Sissy" with me. That pretty much ended that friendship! Alas, I had the most wonderful time and my 3-1/2-year-old sister at the time was in Symphony Woods with my parents singing all the songs verbatim because she had heard the records so many times! I even decorated my teen bedroom in early Barry Manilow! The really KEWL thing was that she went with me as an adult back in December 1997 to the grand opening of the MCI Center (Washington, DC) to see Barry with me! We had a blast and relived a lot of great memories! - Christine (Horton) Marlow (Owings Mills, MD) (5/18/2002)

June 1978Virginia
(Hampton Roads Coliseum)		 
June 23, 1978Rhode Island/Providence
(Providence Civic Center)		First Show - Elaine Lemieux (New Bedford, MA) (3/23/2000)

First Barry concert - Andrea Reiser (8/19/2000)

First Show - Donna A. Duckworth (of Rhode Island) (10/20/2000)

First time I saw Barry, I was in 8th grade. - Patricia Douglas (Scarborough, ME) (5/8/2003)

July 1978Massachusetts/Cambridge
(Harvard Stadium)		First Show Memory:  It started raining during the show.  One member of Lady Flash slipped and fell on the stage, and Barry sang from on top of the piano out of fear that he might be electrocuted.  I almost caught pneumonia, but it was definitely worth it! - Donna Gosselin (11/5/97)

First Show - Chris Comeau (5/31/98)

First/Best Concert:  I too remember Lady Byrd falling...Boston Globe write-up on the show says "Barry Sings his Heart Out in the Rain."  I still have the article, and the t-shirt (although it doesn't quite fit the same anymore...). I was 13 then, and I am happy to say, still hooked on Barry!! - Maureen DiMeo (Boston, MA) (8/23/98)

First Show - Maureen Owen (Boston, MA) (3/16/99)

First Show - Sue Regan (North Attleboro, MA) (4/19/2001)

I loved this concert "in the rain" because it was my first time EVER seeing Barry perform live, and I still remember it vividly (even though I was in the nosebleed section... Harvard Stadium is HUGE!). I begged my mom to take me (Thanks, Mom!). [The stadium] was packed! Barry, Lady Flash and the City Rhythm Band were all together on stage. It started to rain... No... POUR! And some lightning! Barry kept saying he would do as much of the show for us as he could, safely. The band was covered with big sheets of plastic. During Barry's dance routine with Lady Flash in "Copacabana," Muffy Hendrix fell down flat on the wet stage. Barry stopped the show to make sure she was okay. What a caring person Barry is!! The entire audience was soaking wet, but cheered for Barry after each wonderful song, holding up their lighters. It was one of my most treasured Manilow Moments ... Thanks, Barry, for always making me happy and for inspiring me through your Beautiful Music! - Lisa Whitney (Keene, NH) (1/7/2002)

First Show - Carol (of Massachusetts) (2/7/2002)

[Saw Barry] in the pouring rain with my dad when I was 14. At the time, it was only my second concert. I was a typical star struck 14-year-old. Barry was cute, he was all over the charts... I was in heaven and didn't mind the rain a bit. I [recently] found my 24-year-old ticket stub (at $12.50, that was a lot of babysitting money!) and found the write-up I had done of his show along with the song list for the evening (Man, I had a lot of time on my hands!). I was thrilled to find [comments here on this website] from others that were in attendance, and had the same recollections that I did... one of his singers slipping on the stage, losing his orchestra because they were wet and in danger of electrocution... and yet he played on. - Laura Browning (Manchester, NH) (3/1/2002)

First Show - Brenda (of Boston, MA) (11/14/2002)

July 5, 1978New Jersey/Holmdel
(Garden State Arts Center)		First Show - Nancy Porrino (2/18/98)

First Show - Cheryl Diverio (of New Jersey) (1/4/2000)

First Show - Judy Cyriax (of New Jersey) (4/25/2000)

First Show - Barbara Callahan (of New Jersey) (5/15/2000)

First Show: I was seven and from then on, [this show] was the best one I ever saw. I continue to attend Barry Manilow concerts to this day. My sister (Laura) and I would put on Barry concerts in our backyard. He is just incredible. I mean (really) "He writes the songs that make the whole world sing." Keep singing, Barry, and we'll keep coming to see you! - Dianne and Laura Butkus (of New Jersey) (12/26/2000)

Talk about being in HEAVEN, this was the first Manilow Concert I had experienced! The show was sold-out for weeks and my Uncle Richard (who lives in Hazlet, near the Center) was able to get three tickets for the last night's show (one for me, the other two for his daughters, Sharon & Karen). He used to be in the carpet-installing business back then and had laid some carpeting for some people who had connections in exchange for those tickets... The show was FANTASTIC! I remember how thrilled I was seeing Barry do some of my favorite songs. He was charming, funny, and SO good looking in person! I even got a wave back from Barry when I waved at him; I was on Cloud 100!! To date I have seen this Man in concert about 104 times (NO, I'M NOT in Therapy! I just know a GOOD THING when I hear (see) it!). His concerts are so much FUN!! - Susie George (Palmerton, PA) (10/12/2002)

July 9, 1978New York/Saratoga
(Performing Arts Center)		First Show - Rose Russo (3/6/98)
July 14, 1978Pennsylvania/Philadelphia
(Robin Hood Dell West)		First Show (July 14):  I was sitting on the bleachers (outside, under the stars, on the grass!). It poured like heck all day and thankfully stopped before the show started. I was 12 years old and impressionable. And the ticket only cost $7.50! - Christina Cotsifas (10/17/98)

Favorite Show:  This was the first time I ever took my mom to a concert. She had a marvelous time and sang along with the rest of us. I remember that Barry always called the Robin Hood Dell West the Robin Hood Deli. - Margie Weidenmiller (Collingswood, NJ) (9/7/99)

First Show (July 14) - Joyce M. Koch (Hummelstown, PA) (4/7/2000)

First Show - Donna Mowinski (Philadelphia, PA) (6/6/2001)

The first time I saw Barry, he sang a song and a tear came to his eyes. I knew then and there that this wasn't just some other singer. This man felt and meant the songs he sang. I was never so inspired before in my life! It was like a revelation. I was having personal problems, but that night everything changed for me. I knew I would make it because I believed Barry made it through tough times too! - Jill B. Lafferty (Philadelphia, PA) (4/20/2003)

July 15, 1978
July 16, 1978Ohio/Akron
(Blossom Music Center)		This was my first Barry concert. It was ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!! I had just graduated from college, and my concert ticket was a graduation gift from my godparents. Even though we had lawn seats and weren't seated in the pavilion, I still thoroughly enjoyed the show. Barry was great! He still is!! (I saw him in concert again at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC, April 2, 2000). Barry is the absolute greatest singer, songwriter, performer, pianist, and musician of all time!! - Karen Spalding (Easley, SC) (4/20/2001, 5/7/2002)
July 17, 1978Ohio/Akron
(Blossom Music Center)		My first concert was different than any other... I had to go on crutches (Broke my foot dancing to "Copacabana" the day before!). We had friends in the Cleveland orchestra and were given backstage passes. Barry drove by us with a police escort at the back entry. It was wonderful to get that close to him. Something a 16-year-old girl will never forget. I never had to give my ticket (due the backstage passes)... something I will keep and treasure forever. - Sheryl Wylie (Cleveland, OH) (7/24/2002)
July 21, 1978Michigan/Clarkston
(Pine Knob Music Theatre)		First Show:  A night I will never forget!! - Laurie Wheeler (3/98)

Favorite Show:  Why? The fact that I had front row seats! It was wonderful as usual. - Judy Rutkowski (Marietta, GA) (7/29/98)

First Show - Sherril (Yert) Hofer (Warren, MI) (1/27/2000)

First Show - Valerie (of Windsor, Ontario, Canada) (1/29/2000)

First Show: I really enjoy the way Barry interacts with the audience. He is so entertaining. I have recruited many Barry fans, simply by getting them to attend one concert with me! They became fans for life! - Lenore Dunkel (Grand Blanc, MI) (4/4/2001)

First Show - Judy Barman (Farmington Hills, MI) (7/27/2003)

July 27, 1978New York/Queens
(Forest Hills Tennis Stadium)		First/Favorite Show (July 27): It was a dream come true to finally see Barry in person singing the songs I loved and still love listening to. I have seen Barry more times than I think I can count. I have loved all of [his shows]. - Karen Weinstein (Edison, NJ) (5/26/2000)

First Show (July 27): The first concert I saw at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, I sat up in the nosebleed section with several of my friends. It was [wonderful] seeing this great singer in person that I had been listening to for about three years. I waited around after the show and was on a side street. Barry's limo came out of the stadium and turned down the street my husband and I were on. There was no one else around by us. As the limo was passing us, Barry opened the window and waved and threw a kiss. I was in heaven. - Elena Abbene (Bedford, NH) (12/1/2001)

First Show (July 27) - Christine Frydenborg (Stamford, CT) (1/5/2002)

July 27: My first Barry Manilow concert. It was a great night. I was sitting in the nosebleed section, but I didn't care. He was great! - Pam Lehr (Winchester, VA) (5/29/2002)

First Show (July 28):  This was a memorable concert. It was a warm summer evening and Barry was in great form. I can still remember him performing "Copacabana". It was a moment! - J. DiLorenzo (of New York) (12/23/98)

First Show (July 28) - I was 15-years-old and back then my parents never let me go anywhere alone. My mom, dad, aunt, uncle and my brother (who to this day won't listen religiously to any Manilow tune - HIS LOSS!) went to see Barry. We sat in the last row on the stage, right side. We had to climb the bleachers. No backs. Uncomfortable for everyone, except for me! I knew from the time the piano music started that I would be hooked forever, and I am! My daughter was eventually born by C-section and the tune playing in the operating room was none other than "Can't Smile Without You." She is almost six and loves listening to Barry sing! We love you, Barry. Thanks for making music forever! - Rina (of Flushing, NY) (3/7/99, 7/26/2002)

First Show Memory (July 28): I went with a friend of mine that was not a huge Barry fan although she did like his music. We sat all the way up in the nosebleed section, but I didn't care. I had made Barry a poster that said "I Love my Jewish Prince" which I MADE the crew take backstage to Barry. After the show, we waited outside the gate for his limo to come out ... Finally, what seemed to be an eternity, everyone started screaming (including me) and when he rolled down his window a little, I yelled out "Hi Barry!"  He looked right at me and waved! That night, IT WAS MAGIC!! - Jodie (5/4/99)

First Show (July 28) - Leslie Ryan (Worcester, MA) (5/6/99)

First Show (July 28):  I swore that I was just going to "check him out". I had heard Barry's music on the radio and even bought his "Tryin' To Get The Feeling" album because the guy I was dating really liked Barry's music!  So as a birthday gift, my aunt bought me tickets to see Barry that night in July (I wasn't getting involved seriously! Remember, I said I was just going to "check him out"...HA!)  After the first song I was hooked!! Barry came across as honest and genuine. - Barbara Lovejoy (Murfreesboro, TN) (5/7/99)

First Show (July 28) - Jodie Barr (Long Island, NY) (7/20/99)

First Show (July 28) - Mary Ann Fabrizio (Fishkill, NY) (7/21/99)

First Show (July 28) - Alan Charles (Yonkers, NY) (1/31/2000)

July 28: This was the first concert I ever went to and I had a great time. I was a high school junior from Long Island who went with three high school friends. We sat in the nosebleed section but could still see and hear everything. A clear, warm night and a sea of people enjoying themselves. - Carole Thorpe (Charlottesville, VA) (5/16/2000)

It was a magical night! A beautiful clear summer night. I was with five of my dearest friends and we swayed back-and-forth in unison to "Can't Smile Without You." - Marcy Lawrence (New City, NY) (8/2/2002)

July 28: My first concert was GREAT... a small fire started on stage and Barry just kept singing! - Coleen (of New Jersey) (8/3/2002)

It was the first concert I saw Barry at and the seats were the best. I must say that each concert is an event and he gives so much of himself. I've been going all these years and love every one of the shows. - Michele Yohanna (of New York) (11/17/2003)

July 28, 1978New York/Queens
(Forest Hills Tennis Stadium)
1978Wisconsin/MilwaukeeFirst Show Memory:  He had Lady Flash and they did the VSM, did the Bandstand Boogie, complete with all out dancing with the girls, the old sailfish and whiskey snifter on the piano...quite the showman! - Sue Loomis (1/20/98)

Favorite Show: I was a bit older (than when I first saw Barry in 1975), and more familiar with his music. We were on the floor, in the sixth row. Lady Flash was fantastic. I saw the entire Copacabana stage show - costumes, props, and all. Still the most entertaining show of any one I've seen to date. Thanks, Barry! - Laura Brennan (Kansas City, MO) (5/26/2000)

1978Pennsylvania/PittsburghFirst Show - Mike Kunkle (Ashtabula, OH) (10/13/99)

First Show - Karen Zovko (Pleasant Hills, PA) (12/8/99)

First Show - Linda Holzer (Pittsburgh, PA) (5/7/2000)

1978Illinois/Carbondale
(SIU Arena)		First Show - Marianne James (Carterville, IL) (9/5/99)
Summer 1978Illinois/Chicago
(Chicago Amphitheatre)		First Show - Dayna Euhus (Des Plaines, IL) (8/7/99)

First Show: Barry is the best entertainer around. No one can put on a show like he can and he has such a good time on stage singing for us. He just seems to get better and better. - Kelly Luttig (Beloit, WI) (3/3/2002)

1978Indiana/Terre Haute
(Indiana University)		First Show - Janet (of Ohio) (10/15/99)
August 1978Nevada/Las Vegas
(Riviera Hotel)		First Show Memory:  They had given Barry the key to the city. The lines snaked through the casino and outside at 6:00 a.m. to get reservations for the evening show.  That evening, we arrived two hours before the show and found the lines outside already.  Your reservations got you in the door, but you were at the mercy of your place in line and your pocketbook (for the maitre'd) for a seat! We sat at a table for ten, cutting "mystery meat" simultaneously for lack of space, and trying to be enthusiastic about four "parsley" potatoes and canned peas.  $30.00 allowed us that delicious meal and a cocktail and Barry and Lady Flash.  It was worth every dime and then some, but I was hooked!  He wore the white outfit, the star, the SHOES, but he was the same Barry. - Ann Underwood (3/30/98)

First Show - Pat Sieglen (of New Mexico) (2/18/2000)

First Show - Debbi Weldon (Albany, GA) (6/24/2000)

I was six years old, and I liked everything. The silver puffy sleeves of his costume stand out the most. - Misty Olson (Chicago, IL) (10/10/2001)

August 19, 1978Colorado/Denver
(Red Rocks Amphitheatre)		Being that it was first-come-first-serve seating, I went there at 6:00 p.m. the night before the show. I was panicked to find a huge crowd there already!  Luckily it turned out that another concert was about to begin (...the Grateful Dead!!). Around 2:00 a.m. everyone cleared out and I sat there for two nights in the front row, center seat. Quite an experience for a pre-teen!! - M. Drake (7/21/99)

First Show (August 19) - Denise Beaber (Ordway, CO) (9/8/99)

First Show (August 20) - Jane Tallerday (Denver, CO) (6/30/2000)

First Show (August 19): This was my first concert (my only concert) and I loved every minute of it. Barry Manilow is the most wonderful performer and singer! No other concert could compare to this one. - Becki (of Denver, CO) (10/2/2002)

August 20, 1978
August 23, 1978California/Concord (Concord Pavilion)This was my first concert. Can't believe I fell in love with the voice and music of Barry at such a young age. - Vickie Molina (Emeryville, CA) (10/19/99)

First Show - Vickie Molina (Antioch, CA) (10/5/99)

August 27, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)The Greek Theater ad in the paper said, "Congratulations, Barry!  Your first week sold out four months in advance!  We added four more days, and they sold out in 5½ hours!  Now we're adding three more days:  September 16, 17, 18!  Welcome back to L.A.!" - note from Sheron Tippens (3/23/98)

First and Favorite Show (August 30):  The anticipation of this concert was overwhelming. My husband finally agreed to getting me there! However, when I came home to get ready I found him (and my 12-year-old son) suffering from some major/minor scrapes and cuts from a motorcycle incident. THANK GOD they were both okay. However, what about my Barry concert??  Well, my husband, true to his word, and in fear of death, got dressed, with suit and tie (my preference because of seeing my BARRY) and we proceeded. NEVER EVER did I think that 21 years later I would realize the impact that Barry had on me that night. From then on I've followed him AND encouraged others to do the same by inviting them to his concerts. I really never thought he would make such a difference in my life. THANK YOU BARRY!! - Mary Scurti (San Bernardino, CA) (6/13/99)

First Show:  Great singer and showman. - Donald Halkovic, Jr. (Portland, OR) (9/21/99)

My favorite [show is] when people were climbing "trees" to see Barry perform! - Jeanne Crane (Columbia, MD) (3/18/2002)

August 30: This was the first concert I ever went to. I was 16 years old and that summer my parents sold our house and bought a new one ... I was stuck in the house all summer. As a gift my parents bought me the tickets and my sister went with me. I will never forget that night because Barry realized that people were actually in the trees behind the seats. My favorate moment was when Barry sang "All The Time." I was looking through the binoculars and when he came to the line "I can't believe that you were somewhere too, thinking all the time there's only you" he looked up and it seemed like he was singing just to me! I have gone to other Barry concerts since then but none will mean as much as the first one. - Karen Voyles (North Hollywood, CA) (6/27/2002)

First Show - Jill Ratner (Sacramento, CA) (5/30/2003)

First Show (August) - Cheryl (Sherbourne) Whitt (of Las Vegas, NV) (7/25/2004)

August 28, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
August 29, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
August 30, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
August 31, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 1, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 2, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 3, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 12, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 13, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 14, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 15, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 16, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 17, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 18, 1978California/Los Angeles (Greek Theater)
September 24, 1978New York/Uniondale
(Nassau Coliseum)		First Show - Linda Suozzo (Fishkill, NY) (1/19/2003)
September 25, 1978Pennsylvania/Philadelphia (Spectrum)That was the night Barry recorded (for later broadcast) "It's Just Another New Year's Eve" the first time for Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve 1979.  "Tom & Chris" had not yet met, but both were in attendance - they met in the Summer of '79 when a mutual friend introduced two Manilow fans to one another! - Tom & Chris Jeffries (3/11/98)

First and Favorite Show:  I stood in line at my local Sear's where they had a Ticketron machine and I used the money from my paper route to buy the ticket. I went with a friend of mine who got me listening to Barry. Somehow I convinced my parents to let me go. My neighbors down the street were also going so they gave us a ride even though we did not sit with them. The music touched me, and his music has always been a part of my life. - Timothy John (Oakhurst, NJ) (7/21/99)

This was my first Manilow concert of many (30'ish? I lost count over the years!). I went with my mother and her friend. It was an awesome experience and the first time I ever tried to sneak backstage. Later, I helped my mother, her friend, and many other frenzied women (that I didn't know) form a human chain in front of Barry's limo that night. Poor Barry! What we put him through!! But it was fun [anyway]. - Cathy Davis-Juarez (Trenton, NJ) (8/25/2000)

September 1978Illinois/Chicago
(Chicago Stadium)		First Show - Patsy (of Chicago, IL) (5/31/99)

First Show - Marian Zaversnik (Lansing, IL) (3/22/2002)

September 1978Illinois/Chicago
(Chicago Stadium)
October 1978England/London (Royal Albert Hall)(multiple shows - Thanks to Sheron Tippens for this update, 3/23/98)
October 9, 1978England/London (Palladium)(Thanks to Lucy Waters for this update, 4/10/98)
October 10, 1978England/London (Palladium)
October 11, 1978England/London (Palladium)
October 12, 1978England/London (Palladium)
October 13, 1978England/London (Palladium)
October 14, 1978England/London (Palladium)
October 16, 1978Holland/Amsterdam (Concertgebouw)First Show - Max Bokking (from Holland) (1/22/2003)
October 18, 1978Belgium/Brussels (Forest National) 
October 25, 1978France/Paris (Olympia Theatre)He fractured his ankle an hour before the show, had it taped by a doctor, and did the entire show! - note from Sheron Tippens (3/23/98)
October 30, 1978Germany/Hamburg (Congresscentrum) 
November 3, 1978Germany/Munich (Deutsches Museum) 

1979
When
 Where
 Memories
December 1979California/Los Angeles
(The Roxy)		"sneak preview" of new material

(Thanks for the 70's tour updates, Sheron! - 3/23/98)

...End of 1979...

Forward to 1980?

Got any 70's tour updates?  E-mail "garyoye@aol.com"

This Page Created August 29, 1997 (Last Updated August 21, 2004)

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