Barry Manilow — ‘Justin Bieber Of The ’70s’ Celebrates 40 Years Of Success

Legendary crooner Barry Manilow is known for his unmistakable rich voice as much as for the songs he writes. Ironically, the hit “I Write the Songs” was actually not written by Barry Manilow, but by Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys. Humor has always been a natural part of his character, and a matter of fact attitude regarding his fame that lacks any kind of arrogance.

“I was the Justin Bieber of the ’70s. Really, I was.”

Currently, Barry Manilow is in the midst of his One Last Time farewell tour. Thankfully, the 71-year-old Barry is not retiring from music altogether. Manilow will continue to play shows and record albums, but does plan on quitting the chaos and lengthy traveling that goes along with touring.

“I’ve been roaming the Earth for over 40 years. And, you know, every time I commit to a tour because of an album or a TV show or something or other, I take a deep breath, get out the Tumi luggage and off I go for weeks at a time, sometimes months at a time. And as the tours kept going on, I kept saying, ‘This one’s the last one. I can’t do this anymore.'”

The Barry Manilow farewell tour coincides with the 40 year anniversary of the release of “Mandy,” Barry Manilow’s first hit, which he almost declined recording because he didn’t write it. In an interview with AZ Central, Barry Manilow discusses “Mandy” then and now.

“But this year, I have to go back to ‘Mandy.’ It’s much, much more emotional this year than ever before because it was the beginning of everything for me. My life changed. My life exploded into a million pieces when that record happened and I was so young and so innocent, I had no idea what was about to happen to my life.”

Before the huge success of “Mandy,” originally entitled “Brandy,” Barry Manilow played the piano for Bette Midler. Barry Manilow planned to pursue a career in this type of work, outside the spotlight, so to speak.

“In the beginning, I was terrified, only because I never planned on being a performer. I planned on being a musician. If I were lucky, I thought I would have a career as a musician in all the other ways you can do that —as a producer or as a songwriter, as an arranger or as a conductor. That’s where I was going. When I got the record deal and suddenly found myself singing on a stage, it was terrifying. I had never planned on it. So for those first five years, I was very confused. And yet, the audience never had trouble with me as a performer. I did. The critics did. But the audiences, in their own way, they were saying, ‘Keep going. We like what we see. We like the music.’ “

Now 40 years later, Barry Manilow fans still like his music. The extensive One Last Time tour has seen great success, which mirrors his entire career. From “Mandy” to “I Write the Songs” to “Copacabana” and all the music in between, Barry Manilow has pleased fans both young and old.

Which Barry Manilow song is your favorite?

[Image via Online Sheet Music]