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Barry Manilow Reflects on Public Coming Out Experience
Music icon Barry Manilow, known for his chart-topping ballads, finally felt ready to publicly acknowledge his sexuality in 2017. The celebrated singer-songwriter, at the time 73, chose to share his truth and openly discuss being gay in a cover story for People magazine, marking a significant personal milestone after decades of privacy.
Surprising Reaction to Revelation
However, the “Copacabana” performer admitted he was taken aback by the muted response to his public declaration. Manilow had anticipated a much larger reaction when he revealed his long-held secret.
“It turned out to be a complete non-event,” the Brooklyn native, now 81 years old, confided in an exclusive interview. “Frankly, I was a little insulted. I honestly believed it would be a major deal.”
“Honestly, it was nothing,” he elaborated. “Absolutely no one made a fuss about it.”
Fan Acceptance and Understanding
Manilow attributed the underwhelming reaction to his fanbase’s pre-existing understanding and acceptance.
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“By then, my fans were already aware,” he explained. “They appreciated my music, they liked me as a person. And they were simply pleased that I had someone special to share my life with.”
Relationship with Garry Kief
That special someone is Garry Kief, Manilow’s husband and also his manager. In the revealing People magazine article, the artist behind “Mandy” disclosed that he and Kief had secretly married in 2014, after having been in a committed relationship since 1978.
“We had been together for such an extensive period, and by then, being able to get married was no momentous occasion,” he recounted.
Changing Times and Acceptance
Manilow acknowledged that sharing his love story publicly would have been considerably more controversial during the peak of his career in the 1970s when he dominated music charts with hits like “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” and “Looks Like We Made It.”
“Coming out back then was simply not an option. I didn’t desire to. It wasn’t a concern for me,” he said. “My close friends were aware. And I suspect over time, my fans also became aware. But discussing such personal matters was just not done in that era.”
However, Manilow – who recently commenced a series of five concerts at Radio City Music Hall – conveyed his satisfaction with how societal attitudes have evolved, making it easier for contemporary pop artists to be open about their sexuality.
“Thankfully, things are different now, and artists can be open,” he remarked. “When I began my career, it was impossible. It would have destroyed your career. You couldn’t even utter the word ‘gay’ publicly.”
Lasting Love and Career Longevity
This context further highlights the remarkable nature of Manilow’s 47-year relationship with his husband.
“Garry is focused on his own professional endeavors, and I am dedicated to mine,” he explained to The Post. “And we hold immense respect for each other. It’s truly a wonderful relationship.”
This enduring quality also characterizes Manilow’s six-decade-long career in the music industry. Following his early work creating jingles and accompanying artists like Bette Midler, he released his self-titled debut album in 1973.
Despite planning a farewell arena tour commencing in May, Manilow intends to continue his residencies at Radio City and in Las Vegas.
“I truly don’t understand why I am still able to do this. But until I can no longer reach that high F note at the conclusion of ‘Even Now,’ I plan to keep performing.”
Rather than going out in New York City, he is prioritizing vocal rest to ensure he can still deliver those signature notes during his Radio City performances in his 80s.
“Performing five consecutive shows is demanding,” Manilow admitted. “So, I must remain quiet for the majority of the time.”