Pick a Day

Barry Manilow is born Barry Alan Pincus in Brooklyn, New York. Despite never wanting to be an entertainer, he becomes one of the best-selling artists in the world as a famous soft-rock balladeer.More

Barry Manilow's "Mandy" hits #1 in America. The song was written as "Brandy" but changed to avoid confusion with the Looking Glass hit "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)."

Barry Manilow makes his first appearance on US television, appearing on American Bandstand to perform "Mandy" and "It's A Miracle."

Barry Manilow's glasses are broken by the crowd as he rushes to his limo after a concert in Chicago.

Barry Manilow's "I Write The Songs," written by Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys, hits #1 in America. It goes on to win the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.More

Record executive Clive Davis throws a party the night before the Grammy Awards to celebrate Barry Manilow's "Mandy," which is up for Record Of The Year. The song doesn't win, but Davis' pre-Grammy party becomes an annual event, attracting huge stars and growing increasingly lavish and more exclusive over the years.

At the Grammy Awards, Stevie Wonder earns his third Album Of The Year trophy with Songs in the Key of Life. "I Write The Songs" by Barry Manilow wins Song Of The Year, an award that goes to Bruce Johnston, who wrote it.

Barry Manilow's "Looks Like We Made It" hits #1 in America. Don't play it at your wedding - the song is about two people who know they're right for each other but couldn't make it work.

Barry Manilow lands his first #1 album with Barry Manilow Live, recorded over a 12-night engagement at the Uris Theatre in New York City. A highlight is a medley of commercial jingles he wrote or sang on before he was famous, including "Stuck On Band-Aid" and McDonald's "You Deserve A Break Today."

Foul Play, a quirky comedy thriller starring Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase, debuts in theaters. The soundtrack boasts the Barry Manilow tune "Ready To Take A Chance Again," which is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.More

Barry Manilow wins his first and only Grammy Award when "Copacabana (At The Copa)" is named Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 21st Annual Grammy Awards.

The Third Barry Manilow Special airs on ABC. A mix of music and comedy, it includes an appearance by John Denver, who commiserates with Manilow on how critics can't stand them despite their legions of fans.

Barry Manilow plays a charity concert at London's Royal Albert Hall attended by Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

What goes better with football than Barry Manilow? The "Mandy" singer performs the national anthem at Superbowl XVIII in Tampa, Florida. Disney handles the halftime show.

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Barry Manilow dismisses the tabloid rumor that he's engaged to adult film star Robin Byrd, who is just a friend. Besides, as the public learns much later, Manilow is gay.

Barry Manilow guest stars on the "One" episode of Murphy Brown as part of a storyline where the lead character can't stand his music but her infant son finds it soothing.

The stage musical Copacabana (based on Barry Manilow's song) opens in London.

The Barry Manilow Ultimate Manilow concert special airs on CBS to promote his compilation album of the same name.

Barry Manilow suffers a broken nose after he accidentally walks into a wall at his home in Palm Springs, California, and knocks himself unconscious. Although he passed out for four hours, he doesn't endure any lasting effects and doctors determine that surgery is not necessary.

Barry Manilow pulls out of an appearance on The View when he refuses to be interviewed by conservative co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

The actress Suzanne Somers inadvertently outs Barry Manilow when she appears on Watch What Happens Live and talks about serving as best man at his wedding the previous year when Barry married his longtime manager, Garry Kief. Manilow comes out publicly two years later.

At age 73, Barry Manilow comes out as gay.More

Barry Manilow, 82 and in the middle of his farewell tour, reveals that he's been diagnosed with lung cancer. It's treated successfully with surgery, but part of his left lung is removed, making it difficult to sing.