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Introduction
One Last Time: Barry Manilow Reflects on Six Decades and a Final Farewell
With over 85 million albums sold and a career spanning more than sixty years, Barry Manilow remains one of the most enduring icons in music history. As he prepares to embark on what he insists is his final tour, the legendary showman sat down for a candid interview on BBC Breakfast to discuss his legacy, his fans, and why—this time—he really means it when he says goodbye to the road.
The Final Curtain Call
Speaking live from Los Angeles, Manilow addressed the skepticism surrounding his “final” tour announcement. Having “retired” from touring before, he laughed off his past indecision. “Don’t pay attention to me,” he joked, before turning serious. “As I sit here now, yes, this is going to be the last tour of the UK.”
The tour, scheduled for June 2025, will take him through Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff, and Birmingham, before a grand finale at London’s O2 Arena. When asked what his final song to the British public would be, he pointed toward his new release, “Once Before I Go.” Originally written by his late friend Peter Allen, Manilow noted that while he loved the song years ago, he only now feels he has the life experience to sing it truthfully.
A Musician, Not a Singer
Perhaps the most surprising revelation from the interview was Manilow’s humble self-assessment. Despite his global superstardom, he admitted he has never truly “made peace” with being a singer.
“I don’t consider myself a singer. I consider myself a musician,” he explained. He revealed that his career as a performer began almost by accident; as a young songwriter, he couldn’t afford to hire “real” singers for his demos, so he sang them himself. “There are so many better singers out there than I am,” he remarked, attributing his lasting connection with audiences not to vocal gymnastics, but to honesty. “I am honest about everything on that stage… and that may be what keeps them coming back.”
The Magic of the Singalong
For Manilow, the live experience is no longer about him—it’s about the fans. He described the “rush” of the curtain opening to thousands of cheering people and the unique atmosphere that hits the room when the first bars of “Mandy” or “Copacabana” begin.
He admitted that early in his career, he wanted the audience to sit and listen, but he has since embraced the “big singalong” nature of his shows. “I’m not there for me; I’m there for them,” he said. This philosophy of prioritizing “feelings, melody, and lyrics” is what he believes has allowed his music to stand the test of time, even as the industry shifts toward streaming and social media.
As the interview concluded, it was clear that while the “Fanilows” might be sad to see the touring era end, Barry Manilow is exiting exactly as he entered: with a focus on the music and a deep, genuine gratitude for the people who sang along with him for sixty years.