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Introduction
Barry Manilow at 80: Still Laughing, Still Performing, and Now… Holding Puppies on TV
Barry Manilow stopped by The Kelly Clarkson Show to celebrate Christmas season, talk about his new NBC special, and reflect on turning 80 — with his signature humor, warmth, and a few unexpected surprises.
A Christmas Memory That Never Left Him
Kelly opened by asking if Barry loves Christmas as much as she does. He smiled and shared a childhood story: his stepfather once brought home the first Christmas tree Barry ever had — a small aluminum tree decorated with blue ornaments.
“We had no money,” Barry said. “But I thought it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.”
Kelly called it a “Charlie Brown moment,” proof that the simplest memories become the most meaningful.
His Christmas Special — And the Puppies That Weren’t Allowed
Barry’s holiday special A Very Barry Christmas premiered that night on NBC. He described it as a big, joyful mix of Christmas classics and his hits.
But there was one thing the network wouldn’t let him have: puppies.
So Kelly surprised him — of course — by bringing out two rescue puppies, Spot and Tiny, from Brixies Rescue Center.
Barry melted instantly, holding them on his lap while laughing, “Oh my goodness.”
Kelly joked, “Barry, this is dangerous… I do NOT need another dog.”
Breaking Elvis’s Vegas Record
Kelly then brought up his milestone achievement: Barry officially surpassed Elvis Presley’s record for most live shows in Las Vegas.
“It was an honor,” Barry said.
To celebrate, he even performed “Hound Dog” onstage — complete with Elvis-style jiggling.
Celebrating His 80th Birthday… With a Walker
Barry recently turned 80, and yes — he celebrated onstage.
“How did you walk out?” Kelly asked.
Barry burst out laughing. “With a walker!” He mimicked the slow shuffle, then mimed tossing it aside and shouting, “Ta-da! It’s a miracle!”
The audience roared.
Despite reaching 80, Barry insists he feels younger than ever.
“What’s the trick?” Kelly asked.
“I just don’t stop,” he said. “If you slow down, you’re gonna stop. And I’m not about to stop.”
His First Instrument: An Accordion
Barry confirmed that the same stepfather who brought him the Christmas tree also bought him his first instrument — an accordion.
“Yes,” Barry joked, “I’m afraid to admit it.”
He even once played “Like a Virgin” and “Born in the USA” on it during a show.
“It was awful,” he said. “Just awful.”
Kelly insisted that “awful means wonderful.”
From Mail Room Kid to the ‘Piano-Playing Mail Boy’
Before fame, Barry worked in the CBS mail room, a job he said he lucked into.
He discovered a grand piano in the rehearsal hall — and employees quickly noticed the talented “piano-playing mail boy.”
Kelly loved that story: “Imagine being one of those people who heard you back then… and now you’re Barry Manilow.”
‘Harmony’ — A 30-Year Dream Finally on Broadway
Kelly congratulated him on bringing Harmony to Broadway after 30 years of work.
The show finally premiered in New York, earning glowing reviews — including a critic’s pick designation from The New York Times, which praised Barry’s vocal arrangements with music director John O’Neill.
“It’s a very important and very deep show,” Barry said. “And very funny.”
Yes, He Once Wrote to Playboy for Career Advice
Barry laughed while confirming one of the strangest rumors about him:
As a young man, unsure whether to leave his CBS job to tour with a singer, he actually wrote to Playboy magazine asking for advice.
They replied — and published it — telling him to follow his musical path.
“I did,” Barry said. “I left CBS… so I guess I owe everything to Playboy.”
Working With Bette Midler — Including at a 1970s Bathhouse
Barry talked about his early days as Bette Midler’s pianist and arranger.
He even confirmed the famous New Year’s Eve story at The Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse where Bette performed early in her career.
People wore towels, the Star-Spangled Banner made towels drop, and yes — Barry eventually jumped into the giant pool wearing his suit and tie.
The Manilow Music Project: Putting Instruments Back in Kids’ Hands
Barry also spoke about his Manilow Music Project, founded 15 years ago to provide instruments to schools across the U.S.
He created it after learning many public schools were running out of working instruments.
“Kids are playing on broken-down instruments, and they still love it,” he said.
One student even sent him a picture of his brand-new tuba — taller than the child himself.
Kelly, who grew up with hand-me-down everything, said she deeply connected with the cause.
A Life of Music — And No Plans to Slow Down
Barry ended the interview with the same theme he began with:
He’s 80.
He’s unstoppable.
And he’s still having the time of his life.
“There’s always another project, another song, another album,” he said.
“And I’m not about to stop.”