Barry Manilow humorously shared with his audience at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday night, June 3, “My mother always wanted me to be a doctor. She would be so proud!” This light-hearted remark set the stage for an unforgettable evening filled with accolades and celebration of his extraordinary musical journey.
During his concert in Detroit, Barry Manilow was honored with an honorary Doctor of Music Education honoris causa, awarded by six esteemed faculty members from Chicago’s VanderCook College of Music, the only institution in the United States dedicated to training music educators. VanderCook President Kimberly Farris expressed that this honorary degree was a recognition of Manilow’s “enduring dedication to music education,” which aligns perfectly with the college’s mission. This accolade particularly highlighted the impact of the Manilow Music Project, which has invested an impressive $10 million over the past 15 years to provide essential musical instruments to schools and to honor dedicated music educators. In a gesture of support, Manilow presented a significant $10,000 grant to a deserving teacher from Detroit’s prestigious Cass Technical High School, further demonstrating his commitment to fostering music education.
While proudly wearing his cap and gown, Manilow shared his heartfelt connection to the VanderCook College, stating, “The VanderCook College stands for everything I believe in. Their unwavering commitment to music teachers complements my deep passion for ensuring that young people have access to playable instruments. This honor resonates with my values.” He also expressed his gratitude to his drummer, Yolandus “YL” Douglas, for being instrumental in facilitating this recognition, showcasing the collaborative spirit that defines his career.
“This is such a meaningful honor,” Manilow continued, reflecting on the significance of the award. “I’ve received numerous accolades throughout my career — including Emmys, Grammys, and People’s Choice Awards. While those honors celebrate my achievements as a singer, songwriter, and performer, this is the first time anyone has recognized me as a musician. Thank you all; I’ll never forget this moment.” In a playful gesture, Manilow tossed his mortarboard into the crowd as his band played the iconic “Pomp and Circumstance,” creating a memorable moment for his fans.
The concert in Detroit was part of the legendary 81-year-old Manilow’s ongoing series entitled The Last Concerts, which he is performing in “these cities that have been so supportive” throughout his remarkable 52-year recording career. In a conversation with Billboard, he revealed that this endeavor has led him to a reflective state of mind. “I often wonder, ‘What? Am I the only one left?’” he muses, mentioning fellow artists like Billy Joel, Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Neil Diamond. “I’m still healthy and strong, and I still have my voice and energy. The night I can’t hit the F natural on ‘Even Now’ is the night I’ll retire. But thankfully, I can still do it.”
Although Barry Manilow admits he never got to know Billy Joel personally, he expresses deep concern for the iconic Piano Man’s health, particularly in light of Joel’s struggles with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that has prevented him from touring. “It’s just heartbreaking to hear about Billy Joel’s situation,” Manilow shares. “As a huge fan of his work, I truly hope he can return to the stage soon.” This shows the camaraderie and respect that exists among music legends.
Barry Manilow’s creative endeavors extend beyond his live performances. He anticipates releasing a new album by the end of the summer, which will be his first since the 2020 release of Night Songs II. “This will likely be my final album,” he reflects, acknowledging the long timeline of its production. “I’ve worked on it for so long that the style of music has evolved. [laughs] I had to revisit and rework the songs to make them sound more contemporary. I eliminated strings and background vocals because those elements are less common today. Even I recognized that it sounded dated, so we had to adapt it.”
The outcome of this extensive effort is what Manilow describes as “a Barry pop album.” He expresses confidence that fans of his music will appreciate this new release, although he is less certain about its reception among contemporary music listeners. Manilow emphasizes that he does not aim to compete with current chart-toppers and Grammy winners, instead focusing on staying true to his musical roots.
“The landscape of songwriting has changed dramatically,” he observes. “Younger songwriters don’t adhere to the structural techniques I learned. They often skip traditional verse-chorus-verse structures, creating songs that feel like run-on sentences to me. I struggle to find the hook or chorus; it just seems to flow endlessly before concluding. That’s not my style, and it’s not how I was trained to write. I believe contemporary songwriters and collaborators would share my sentiments.”
This year marks a significant milestone for Barry Manilow, as it celebrates 50 years since he achieved his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit with “Mandy.” Additionally, January will commemorate the 50th anniversary of his second No. 1 hit, “I Write the Songs,” a masterpiece written by Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys. Both songs were recommended to him by Clive Davis, the then-chief of Arista Records. Manilow recalls with laughter how he would consistently reject Davis’s suggestions, stating, “Every time Clive offered me a song, I would turn it down. My refusal to perform ‘I Write the Songs’ was particularly strong; I thought people might perceive me as an egomaniac. I was adamant about not doing it!” However, Davis’s persistence eventually led him to embrace the songs, transforming them in ways that made him proud to perform them.
“I Write the Songs” remains a staple in Barry Manilow’s concert repertoire, including his “lifetime” residency at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, which is set to resume on June 12. He assures fans that there is no definitive end date for this residency, yet he emphasizes the finality of his current tour, having previously completed a One Last Time! tour in 2015. Manilow insists that every performance truly signifies a farewell to each city he visits.
“It’s a bittersweet experience for me because I am fully aware that I won’t be returning,” he reflects. “The fans understand this too, making each goodbye feel truly final.” He adds, “I’ve never experienced this before. In the past, I would have a sense of assurance that I would return for future tours. But this time, I realize this is it for these cities, and after so many years of performing in them repeatedly, this really is the end.”
