Barry Manilow, the legendary showman, has spent over 50 years on stage, captivating audiences worldwide. At 82, he shows no signs of slowing down, despite a recent health scare. In December, Manilow announced he would undergo surgery for lung cancer, postponing his live shows. Thankfully, the cancer was caught early and treated successfully. However, the release of a new single, 'Once Before I Go,' sparked rumors of retirement. The accompanying video showed him bidding farewell to his Las Vegas residency, but Manilow insists it was coincidental. 'That was just an accident,' he says. 'The song is about saying goodbye to a romance, not to my career.'
A Brush with Cancer
Manilow's mother, Edna, died of lung cancer, making his diagnosis particularly frightening. 'I thought, 'No, I'm not going to let this happen,' he recalls. 'They got rid of it and threw it in the garbage. I was lucky because I didn't need chemo or radiation.' However, he developed pneumonia and spent a week in intensive care, losing weight and his voice. 'But I'm back,' he asserts. 'I feel fine. I'm not sure my voice feels fine yet, but I don't want to cancel this tour. I'm going to do it whether I can sing or not.'
The Reluctant Showman
Despite his fame, Manilow has always been a reluctant performer. 'My first love is not being a performer or even a singer,' he explains. 'I consider myself a musician. If this part of my career hadn't exploded, I would be playing piano in some Paris bar and be happy.' He was thrust into the spotlight almost by accident, starting as an arranger and accompanist for other singers, including Bette Midler. Even after 'Mandy' became a No. 1 hit in 1974, he hoped it would go away. 'It was not what I was planning on doing with my life,' he says.
Criticism and Resilience
Manilow faced relentless criticism from music critics, who dismissed his music as schmaltzy. 'If you wanted to get a big laugh, you would mention my name,' he says. 'It was 15 years of relentless, horrible reviews.' But he persevered, selling millions of records and hosting huge concerts. In Britain, he drew 40,000 fans to Blenheim Palace in 1983. 'I would stupidly read some of this stuff and go into self-pity, then get dressed and go to the sound check,' he recalls. 'I didn't agree with them.'
Personal Life and Coming Out
Manilow's upbringing was difficult. His father left when he was a baby, and he only met him twice. His mother struggled with alcoholism and attempted suicide. Manilow married his high school sweetheart at 21, but the marriage ended within two years as he pursued music. He later discovered his sexuality, meeting his husband, Garry Kief, in 1978. He came out publicly in 2017, though 'everybody knew,' he says. 'It was such a non-event.' He believes coming out earlier would have ruined his career in the 1970s.
The Future
Manilow's new album, 'What a Time,' is out on 5 June, followed by a UK tour starting 9 June. He is determined to perform despite his health challenges. 'I'm going to do this tour if it kills me,' he jokes. When asked about his favorite song, he chooses 'I Write the Songs,' which he didn't write but transformed into a hit. For Manilow, the show must always go on.
