Barry Manilow’s journey into the entertainment industry began when his mother, Edna, and stepfather, Willie Murphy, bought him a piano for $800, which took them five years to pay off. This investment paid off immensely as Barry built a career spanning decades.
Barry initially attended the City College of New York before moving on to the New York College of Music and later the Juilliard School, where he studied musical theater. He also worked as a log clerk at CBS during this time.
Early Love and Career Beginnings
Barry married his high-school sweetheart, Susan Deixler, at 21, but their marriage lasted only about two years. Barry wasn’t ready to settle down, being heavily involved in his music career. “I just was not ready for marriage,” he said. “I was out making music every night, sowing my wild oats.”
Before his breakthrough, Barry wrote songs for commercials, including a Dr. Pepper jingle that “paid the rent for years.” He explained to WHRB that his knack for catchy melodies helped him succeed in writing jingles and later pop songs.
