 New Manilow album inspired by Britney SpearsBarry Manilow sings about the pleasures and pitfalls of fame on "15 Minutes," his upcoming CD that was inspired by a certain blonde pop princess. "The thing we started to think about was when Britney Spears was being hounded by the paparazzi," Manilow tells the L.A. Times of his concept for the album. "They were driving her crazy. She couldn't have a life without them pulling up next to her car and following her and driving her crazy to the point where, that was around the time she shaved off her hair. I think they actually helped to drive her crazy. We all looked at it in horror… and I said, 'Is this what happens these days?' So it seemed like a thing to be writing an album about." Manilow, whose new disc drops June 14, also drew inspiration from the young talent he worked with as a mentor on "American Idol."
"What I saw was a lot of young people becoming famous very quickly, overnight," he says. "I've done three 'American Idols,' and it was an amazing thing to watch these young, talented people becoming household names within months. And I remember when I got hit with it, with 'Mandy,' that I was an adult. And yet when 'Mandy' hit, it knocked me for a loop. It turned me into a person I didn't like." The singer-songwriter admits he began treating people badly. "I felt I was being demanding. I felt like I was not treating people kindly. But most of all I didn't like where I found myself," he says. "I remember this night in Florida about five years, four years into my beginning of this trip—I don't like the word 'celebrity'—my fame trip. And I was outside in a rocking chair looking at the stars, and I realized that everybody in my house that I was renting on a beach in Florida I was paying. Everybody around me I was paying. My friends had seemed to have disappeared. And this craziness becomes a job, a job that I'm grateful for and that I like, but it's not my life. I had to rethink everything."
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Manilow and Spears !! Are you kidding me. Tell how does this not become one of the biggest sellers ever. Look out Thriller.....Barry's coming for you!
The paparazzi didn't drive Britney crazy. She invited them into her house, she gave them her phone number, had hotel stay overs with them, would call them on her cell to come find her because she was "lost" and needed directions (especially the photo agency X17). She was an addict, and they hooked her up. Now, her videos and tours come with contracts that back up dancers can't provide her with alcohol or drugs, and they must take tests to make sure they are sober.
Where are all the regulars? Lots of post today but from folks ive never seen before.
Fantastic stuff..it should sell hundreds... .
Ooooooh Britney! Now you came and you gave all your hair up....in a whirlwind of fame....Oooooh Britney......
Oh no! Barry and Britney. Could you imagine? Whoa! Hope he just got inspiration and did'nt ask her to "oops and do it again......". Hey @ted-how are ya buddy? Class so early for the summer is killin me! Hey to @peace, @BV, and @mad r@p3r. Hope all's well.
Please dont compare that blonde fool with Barry. She's a dancer...a phony. He is a musician and performer. No contest
One thing that strikes me now when Barry is interviewed is that he seems to be a genuinely nice person. He's got the experience, and I'm sure his new CD will be interesting. It's not like he's working with Britney Spears, just looking at her situation and realizing that music could be created from it. Now, I'm not the hugest fan of his music, but I appreciate him.
I'd almost forgotten about Brittany. Too bad you reminded me.
Next album will be a joint effort, inspired by Congressman Weiner
I bet he invites Britney over for a Chef Boy Ar Dee Beef A Roni dinner. Jews love Beef A Roni
Barry doesnt sing much anymore but he does enjoy using his big jew nose to open cans of Beef A Roni for his audience.
Proof that hell exists.
I'm not a fan of Barry Manilow, however I do appreciate his work and like what I see as his person. He always seemed like the kind of guy you would meet on a plane that would just be normal. http://bit.ly/jZc62I