Barry Manilow always says he wants to be remembered for making people feel. He's accomplished that millions of times over, because within his magnificent voice is his heart! What follows below are the memories of my friend and “foreign correspondent,” Janet from France, after the final show at the O2 arena in London last week. She shared what Barry said in reference to his voice being a bit strained, perhaps due to fatigue, change in weather, or emotion. He didn’t falter or give less; in fact, he gave more—so much more, I believe, than any other performer would.
Reading that quote melted my heart, as it speaks volumes about the man. He’s not a voice on a stage, mindlessly working through one gig and prepping for the next as he plays to a faceless crowd. Be it for fans or civilians, he never performs that way. But when he knows the seats are filled with the people who have been there since his first note so many years ago, he shares an extra vulnerability that only those who love him will truly understand. He goes beyond his normal 110% to those whose lives he’s touched and who, in return, have touched his. He thanks his fans repeatedly with genuine sincerity. I truly believe nothing within his power would have prevented him from giving each person everything he’s got. Everyone appreciates, applauds, and loves Barry all the more because of that.
More than ten thousand audience members each night, some traveling for many miles, happily put lives on hold to share those few precious moments with the man whose music, through their day-to-day real lives, has been a soundtrack of hope, joy, and inspiration.
Barry’s shows in Las Vegas are always phenomenal, but seeing him perform in an arena packed with fans is the epitome of a love fest and an experience not to be missed.
From Janet Fauret: Joy and sadness are probably the emotions which dominated that night, the last of the four. How can you not be joyful when you are watching Barry perform? Yet the evening was tinged with a palpable sadness because we were all thinking: “This is it. This is the LAST night. When will we be together again?”
And when I say “we,” I include Barry. I hope I am not presuming when I say that he too was aware that this was show number four. He was visibly so happy to be in the UK and made it clear he would love to come back.
Actually, I’ve decided not to write a review (a third one) of one individual show, but rather to flip about in my memory and talk about odd snippets, brief moments, things that struck me and held my attention, and made me smile in the three shows I saw.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, probably Britain’s greatest, dancing on to the stage, many of them waving their instruments above their heads.
Members of the orchestra looking at Barry as he played the piano or sang, serious respect on their faces.
The incredible tension, the expectation, the suspense, the holding of breath when we KNEW Barry was about to appear. The rumble, the shudder when we heard (but didn’t see) him singing the first lines of “I’m Coming Back” and the ROAR which shook the rooftops when he appeared.
The empathy, the affection, the love, when he told us his voice was going, and could we sing with him?!
Him holding out the microphone so that we could do that, and the time we actually sang instead of him. He told us we sounded good!
His laughter! Barry has one of the most spontaneous, natural laughs, and his smile lit up the arena!
The brilliance of all the other performers on stage with him. His own band, which perfectly integrated with the Royal Philharmonic, who were all conducted by Ron Walters Junior.
Kye, Keely, Melanie, and Muffy, so in tune with him and such wonderful performers in their own right.
The fantastic Straight No Chaser, who opened for him and then came back on stage to sing such a powerful “One Voice” with him.
The beautiful, talented Lorna Luft. Barry introduced her, saying they had been friends “forever.” Their mutual love and admiration was beautiful to see.
The moment when Barry talked about his new album, with pride but also with trepidation. This is something which is very precious to him and (quite unnecessarily!) he wonders if it will be appreciated. Bring it on, we all say!
The ecstatic standing ovation given to “Bring On Tomorrow.” Every night, Barry’s performance was outstanding and a wonderful advertisement for the album (which we have all pre-ordered)!
“Forever And a A Day,” which Barry sang on Friday and Saturday. It meant so much to all of us. On Saturday, he was struggling to hit the high notes and those closest to the stage described the effort he made. Forever and a day Barry, yes, forever and a day.
Last but not least, Barry’s reaction to the crowd. I talked in my last review about the gratitude he expresses, the “you’re still here?” which he never fails to say. At the end of each show,he seemed genuinely reluctant to leave the stage, acknowledging the thunderous applause, the appeals for just one more song with humility, almost with incredulity. I have this picture in my head of him waving, saying goodbye, looking at us all with love, taking a few steps back, waving, looking at us with love…well, you see what I mean!
On Saturday night, when he had finally gone, I looked around me and everyone was rubbing their eyes, searching for a tissue, me included. What memories, what emotions, what joy! Yes, the joy dominates the sadness. It has to. That’s what Barry is all about!
The same night, at a moment when his voice was a little croaky, Barry said: “You know, with me, it’s all about the heart, not the voice.” How beautiful is that!
But Barry, with respect, you have a huge heart AND a wonderful voice! Thank you, from the bottom of MY heart, for sharing both with us.