Barry Manilow: The Iconic Journey Of A Musical Legend

So, Just How Rich Is Barry Manilow Anyway?

Let me tell you about Barry Manilow. This guy is more than just a singer—he’s a force of nature in the music industry. With a net worth of $100 million, Barry Manilow isn’t just successful; he’s iconic. Over the last 50-plus years, he’s carved out a place for himself as one of the most important musical figures in recent history. You’ve probably heard his hits like “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” and “Looks Like We Made It.” But here’s the kicker: Barry’s not just a performer. He’s also a songwriter who’s crafted hits for other legends like Bette Midler and Dionne Warwick.

Early in his career, Barry was writing jingles for commercials—those little earworms that stick in your head. Some of those jingles became so iconic that companies are still using them decades later. But here’s the thing: Barry didn’t earn residuals for those jingles. It was all about the one-time payment. For example, he wrote “Like a Good Neighbor” for State Farm and only got $500 for it. That’s right, $500. And yet, he says it was worth it because it taught him the art of crafting catchy tunes, which would later become his bread and butter.

And let’s talk numbers. Barry has scored 13 number-one hits, with 13 platinum albums under his belt. Six of those albums have reached multi-platinum status. Worldwide, he’s sold over 75 million records, making him one of the most commercially successful artists on the planet. That’s not just impressive—that’s legendary.

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Commercial Jingles: The Secret to Barry’s Success?

Before Barry Manilow was a household name, he was a struggling musician trying to make ends meet. One of the ways he did that was by writing commercial jingles for brands. Now, here’s the twist: Barry didn’t earn residuals for those jingles. Instead, he was paid a flat fee, which was often just a few hundred dollars. For instance, he earned only $500 for writing the famous State Farm jingle, “Like a Good Neighbor.”

Barry once joked in a 2012 interview that the singer of that jingle is now on her third Rolls-Royce, while he walked away with just $500. But despite the modest pay, Barry looks back on his jingle-writing days fondly. He credits this work with teaching him the fundamentals of pop songwriting. “It was the best music college I could ever imagine,” he once said. And you know what? He’s not wrong. Writing those jingles helped him develop the skills he’d later use to create timeless hits.

Here’s a list of some of the iconic jingles Barry Manilow wrote:

• State Farm: “Like a Good Neighbor”
• Band-Aid: “Stuck on Band-Aid”
• KFC: “Grab a Bucket of Chicken”
• Pepsi: “Feelin’ Free”
• McDonald’s: “You Deserve a Break Today”

Barry’s Early Life: From Brooklyn to Broadway

Barry Alan Pincus was born on June 17, 1943, in the bustling streets of Brooklyn, New York. His family had both Jewish and Catholic roots, and Barry grew up in the vibrant Williamsburg neighborhood. After finishing high school in 1961, Barry pursued higher education, first at the City College of New York and later at the New York College of Music. To pay for his education, he worked part-time at CBS. Eventually, Barry completed his studies at the prestigious Juilliard School of Performing Arts, where he honed his skills in musical theater.

Barry’s Career: From Jingles to Jumbo Hits

Barry’s career took off in 1964 when he met Bro Herrod, a director at CBS. Initially, Herrod asked Barry to arrange a few songs for a musical, but Barry went the extra mile and composed an original score instead. The musical was a hit, running for eight years, and it marked the beginning of Barry’s rise in the music world. During this time, Barry also earned money by writing and singing jingles for commercials. He later admitted that this experience was invaluable in shaping his pop music career.

By the end of the 1960s, Barry caught the attention of Tony Orlando, the vice president of Columbia/CBS Music, who offered him a record deal. While his early attempts didn’t make much of a splash, Barry’s career took a major turn when he became Bette Midler’s pianist. His work with Midler earned him a Grammy nomination in 1973. Later that year, Barry released his self-titled debut album, followed by the breakthrough hit “Mandy” in 1975, which was included on his second album, “Barry Manilow II.”

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After “Mandy,” Barry’s career skyrocketed with a string of hits featured on multi-platinum albums like “Tryin’ to Get the Feeling,” “This One’s For You,” “Even Now,” and “One Voice.” He also ventured into acting, starring in the 1985 television movie “Copacabana.” Interestingly, many of Barry’s biggest hits were written by other songwriters, including “Mandy,” “Tryin’ to Get the Feeling Again,” and the chart-topping “I Write the Songs.” Despite the ironic title, Manilow didn’t pen that one—it was written by Beach Boy Bruce Johnston.

Barry’s live performances have been a major source of his wealth. In 1984, he sold out a 10-night run, grossing over $2 million. He’s also toured with Broadway shows and continued to release music throughout the 1990s and 2000s. His greatest hits album, “Ultimate Manilow,” was a commercial success. Beyond music, Barry has made appearances on talk shows like “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Legal Challenges: When Life Gets Complicated

In 1994, Barry found himself in a legal battle with a Los Angeles radio station. The station ran an ad claiming it was better than others because it didn’t play Barry Manilow’s music. Barry filed a lawsuit, arguing that the ad was damaging his reputation. Eventually, the station dropped the ad. In another legal matter in 1997, Barry settled a lawsuit by donating $5,000 to the American Tinnitus Association. The case involved a judge who claimed Barry’s concert was so loud it caused ringing in his ears.

Fighting Crime Down Under: The Barry Manilow Effect

Believe it or not, Barry Manilow’s music has even been used to fight crime. In 2006, officials in Australia discovered that playing Barry’s tunes loudly on the streets at night was an effective way to deter gang activity. Who knew his music could double as a crime deterrent?

Barry’s Personal Life: Love and Relationships

Barry Manilow’s personal life has been as colorful as his music career. He married his high school sweetheart, Susan Deixler, in 1964, but the marriage lasted only a year. Barry says he loved Susan deeply but chose to prioritize his music career. Later, Barry became involved with men, though he insists his decision to end the marriage wasn’t due to his sexual orientation.

In 1978, Barry started a long-term relationship with TV executive Garry Kief. The couple kept their relationship private for years because Barry feared it might alienate his fans, especially his female audience. When same-sex marriage became legal in California in 2014, Barry and Garry finally tied the knot.

Barry’s Real Estate: A Home Fit for a Legend

In 1994, Barry listed his Bel-Air residence for $2.71 million. Built 25 years earlier, the home boasts 5,000 square feet of living space on two acres of land. It also features a guest house, a recording studio, and a theater room. Talk about living the high life!