I became a Barry Manilow fan in 2005, and 20 years later, I celebrated his final concert in Philadelphia with the man himself. Below are my thoughts on this final night of music and passion in the City of Brotherly Love, and what it was like getting quality time with Barry after his signature red curtain closed. I’ve included photos and videos from those in attendance to capture the magic of the evening. Enjoy!
In 2005, I bought two Barry Manilow albums: Ultimate Manilow and Scores: Songs from Copacabana and Harmony because I fell in love with his production of Dionne Warwick’s 1979 album, Dionne, and needed to see if I’d enjoy his music. Not only was I blown away by what I heard, but I realized while singing “Weekend in New England” that my voice wasn’t half bad, and I pursued voice lessons due to this discovery.
I fell in love with Barry Manilow’s body of work and gained a deeper connection to music by taking singing lessons. I discovered that singing is a glorious way to express one’s emotions and appreciate the beauty of music in a whole new way.
On September 8, 2007, I had the good fortune to see Barry Manilow perform live with the Philadelphia Orchestra. I had floor seats and brought my cousin, Christopher, with me. It was my first time experiencing the Manilow magic live, and I was captivated by what I saw. From Barry performing “Moonlight Serenade” while dancing with a member of the audience to his rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” from his newly released The Greatest Songs of the Sixties album, I was gobsmacked by Barry’s ability to connect with his audience in a meaningful way and his exceptional musicianship and vocal prowess.
In 2011, I met Barry Manilow for the first time when he did a 15 Minutes CD signing at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. As I approached him, he said, “It’s like looking in the mirror and seeing myself in my 20s!” When I met Barry backstage several years later, I shared this with him and he said, “Yeah, except you’re a lot more handsome!” This CD signing at Radio City was the first time I became aware of Garry Kief, Barry’s manager and husband, when he stopped to speak with female fans in line who were near me.
In 2017, after trying for three years to secure an interview with Barry Manilow, I finally got his publicist to say, “Yes.” It was a cover-story interview for The Aquarian Weekly, and it was incredible. It was shortly after Barry’s cover story in People magazine, so we discussed numerous topics, including his marriage to Garry. I’m proud of this interview, and you can read it here. Barry’s publicist told me the day of the interview, “The only reason you got this interview is because you kept trying. Barry is really looking forward to speaking with you.” I’m always grateful when fans tell me how much they enjoyed my conversation with Barry.
One year later, in 2018, my wife and I were invited to see Barry perform in Vegas. Barry and his team covered the cost of the airfare, hotel, and tickets to the show, and we got to meet him backstage afterward. You can read all about this remarkable opportunity here. This experience made it clear to me just how kind and generous Barry and Garry are. No celebrity has ever come close to this, and no one ever will.
Unless my math is off (which it might be), I’ve attended 11 Barry Manilow concerts over the past 18 years, including his final Philadelphia performance this past Saturday. I’ve seen Barry live in Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre, New York City (including on Broadway), Los Angeles, and Nassau (New York). I’ve been in the front row more than once, attended a Christmas concert, and have seen Barry’s tremendous musical Harmony on Broadway. I even got to bring my Dads with me in 2022 to see and meet Barry when he was last in Philadelphia. I’m thankful for the joyous memories I’ve had over the years and that I’ve been able to share several of these experiences with family members.
Heading into Barry Manilow’s last Philadelphia concert, I emailed his team to see if I could come backstage to say “Hello” to Barry while I was at the show. I asked this, knowing they owe me nothing, but I figured I should try since this could be my last opportunity to spend time with Barry. When I arrived at the show, I got an email saying there wouldn’t be a meet-and-greet with Barry afterward. I didn’t let it get me down because I knew that was a possibility, and I knew it would be an incredible evening anyway.
Per usual, I got to know everyone sitting around me. I’m not shy about talking to strangers, and the fans in my area were delightful. Right before the show started, a friend, Adam Dvorin, spotted me from a few rows back. It was his first Manilow concert, and I told him he would have a blast. After the show, he agreed that Barry’s energy and ability are second-to-none.
I didn’t look up the songs Barry played in Pittsburgh because I wanted to be surprised as each song was performed. Having been to so many shows over the past 18 years, several of the songs were expected. However, I enjoyed the surprises, including “I’m Your Man,” “Dancin’ in the Aisles,” and a newly arranged ending to “Weekend in New England.”
The highlight of the evening was “Let Freedom Ring.” I never saw Barry perform this song live. However, it has always been one of my favorites, so I was ecstatic that he was dusting it off for his last Philadelphia concert.
After the show ended, I was going to the bathroom when I decided to check my email. Thank god I did because I had a new email from Barry’s assistant asking me if I could make my way to the arena floor after the show. I knew this meant that they changed their minds and decided to do a meet-and-greet with Barry for family and friends, so I ran to the escalator to get downstairs. Once I got to the first floor, I swam against a tide of fans exiting the arena. As they were coming out, I was fighting to go back in. I reached the arena floor, talked to security, and waited to be brought backstage. I spotted someone with an All Access Pass and told him why I was there. He said he’d go backstage and let them know I was there. He returned shortly, gave me a backstage pass, and said, “Follow me.” We ducked under speakers being lowered from the ceiling, passed by road crew members, and turned left into a tunnel leading to the backstage area.
I spotted my contact at the end of the hall and waved at him. He said, “I’m glad you could make it.” I responded, “Thanks so much for having me.” I was instructed to stand at the end of a roped-off line and did so. I quickly became acquainted with the three people in front of me and noticed that we were heading toward a step-and-repeat with the Manilow Music Project logo on it. I saw Garry enter the room, greeting everyone in line.
Once Barry came out, people started getting photos with him, and the line was moving forward. Right before I got to the front, Garry spotted me, waved, and said, “Hi, Michael!” I approached Barry and he said, “How do we know each other?” I told Barry, “I interviewed you a few years ago. And 18 years ago, I saw you live for the first time in this building.” Barry replied, “How old are you now?” I said, “I’m 40, so I was 22 then.” Barry asked me, “What do you do for a living?” I said, “I’m a sociology PhD student at Temple University and currently teaching Public Speaking at Drexel University.” Then I told Barry, “My son, Oliver, just started taking music lessons because, like you, we understand how music can transform a child’s life.” Barry asked, “What instrument does your son play?” I said, “He’s two-and-a-half, so whatever they hand him. Currently, he likes the drums.” We both laughed at this. Barry and I posed for a photo, and I waved at Garry, saying, “Garry, I don’t have any photos with you. Get in here!” Garry obliged and stood on the other side of Barry so that we could take additional photos.
After the photos were taken and my phone was returned to me, I showed Garry and Barry a picture of my son, saying, “This is Oliver.” Barry replied, “Oh, my! Look at his beautiful curls! What a head of hair!” Garry concurred, and I told them, “He’s a cutie. I bite and kiss his cheeks all the time.” All of us laughed, and I shook their hands as I thanked them again for the opportunity and wished them well.
After his last Philadelphia concert, I left the arena as the final fan to meet Barry Manilow. I was walking on air and said aloud, “Imagine if I hadn’t checked my email until I got home?!” I rode on the subway with the three new friends I met in line, and we reminisced about the lovely moments we had with Barry as the evening ended. I wished them safe travels as I stepped off the train.
The next day, I got an email from Barry’s assistant saying he was glad it all worked out and that seeing me was nice. I replied to him, Garry, and Kirsten (Barry and Garry’s daughter) with a long, heartfelt thank-you note because I wanted them to understand how much I appreciate the generosity and hospitality they’ve shown me over the years. To be considered “friends and family” is a tremendous honor for which I am eternally grateful.
These past 18 years I’ve had with Barry Manilow, from coast to coast, including an interview, a musical, concerts, and backstage meet-and-greets, have been some of the best experiences of my life. This chapter may be over, but the Manilow magic lives on forever in his timeless music and the stories told by those whose lives he touched along the way, especially mine.