Barry Manilow
Birthday: June 17, 1946.
Birthplace: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Current home: Los Angeles.
Marital status: Divorced.
Car: A red 1988 Range Rover.
Working on: I`m touring with my ”Big Fun Tour de Force” through New Year`s Eve 1990. I may take it to Broadway in the spring. I also have a new pop album coming out in the fall.
The last good movie I saw was: ”Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”
The book I`ve been recommending lately is: ”Shining Through,” by Susan Isaacs.
Favorite performer: Danny Kaye.
Favorite childhood memory: My Grandma`s hands caressing my face. She had great, weather-beaten hands.
Personal heroes: Raoul Wallenberg and baritone sax player Gerry Mulligan. Every New Year`s I resolve: Not to hate it when people read my newspaper and magazines before me. I try not to care, but I do.
I`m better than anyone else when it comes to: Being prompt.
I`d give anything to meet: Laura Nyro.
I hope I never have to: Do a ”Love Boat.”
A really great evening to me is: Being sloppy and unshaven and playing word games in front of a fire with great friends.
The one thing I can`t stand is: People who put on airs.
If I could change one thing about myself, I would be: Less obsessive about my career. I`m nuts about it, and it drives me nuts.
My most irrational fear: I`m not crazy about bugs, and I can`t get earthquakes out of my head.
Nobody would believe it if they saw me: Working out. My image is that of a skinny guy.
The worst time of my life: 1978. I was at the peak of my success, and it was the most confusing time for me. It was all happening too fast, and I didn`t know how to deal with the accolades, the money, the success and the pressure that goes along with it all.
If I`ve learned one thing in life it`s: We are who we choose to be.
