When Barry Manilow tied the knot with his longtime partner, Garry Kief, it was a momentous occasion that resonated deeply with fans. The outpouring of love and support was overwhelming. “It was just incredible — people I’d never met were sending heartfelt messages like, ‘Great for you!’ ” Barry shared, his voice filled with gratitude. “I can’t thank them enough for their kindness.”
Barry’s journey through life and music has been nothing short of remarkable. Over seven decades, he’s sold 85 million records worldwide, and at 78, he’s still captivating audiences. Currently performing his residency at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort, Barry reflects fondly on the people who’ve shaped his life, including Susan Deixler, the high school sweetheart he married in 1964.
Back in the early 1960s, things were a lot different for young Barry. “Being openly gay in high school during 1961 wasn’t easy,” recalls Ed Shapiro, Barry and Susan’s former classmate from Eastern District High School in Brooklyn. “I don’t remember Barry being particularly social at school, but I do recall him as a tall, good-looking kid who kept to himself.”
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Music as a Lifeline
Music has always been Barry’s sanctuary. Growing up without a father, he discovered the magic of melodies through his stepfather Willie Murphy’s record collection. “Every album was like opening a new world — Broadway scores like Carousel and The King and I,” Barry reminisces. “And the voices of legends like Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra.” Recognizing Barry’s passion, his family pooled their resources to buy him a small spinet piano and weekly lessons. This investment became Barry’s escape from a challenging home life.
Family Struggles
Life at home wasn’t easy for Barry. His mother, Edna, battled depression and relied heavily on alcohol. “Everyone has their stories,” Barry admits. But through writing his 1988 memoir Sweet Life: Adventures on the Way to Paradise, Barry found a way to understand and forgive her. “For the first time, I saw her not just as my mom, but as a woman living her own life, doing the best she could.”
Love and Heartbreak
High school brought its own set of challenges, but it also introduced Barry to Susan, the girl who captured his heart. “She was stunning, with great legs and a figure that turned heads,” Barry says with a smile. “Her jet-black hair and dark brown eyes lit up the room whenever she walked in.”
