LOOKS LIKE THEY MADE IT:
BARRY MANILOW'S GREATEST HITS OF THE FIFTIES DEBUTS AT NUMBER ONE

Marks the First Number One Debut in Singer's Career
(NEW YORK, NY) In a career spanning more than 30 years and over 75 million albums sold worldwide, Barry Manilow broke brand new ground this week when his new Arista Records album, Greatest Hits of the Fifties debuted in the Number One position on the Nielsen SoundScan charts, moving a remarkable 155,630 copies in its first week of release.

This is the first time in the singer's career that one of his albums has debuted at Number One and marks only the second time a Manilow album reached the top spot on the chart --1977's Barry Manilow Live was the first. The 29-year stretch between Number Ones is virtually unprecedented, having only been exceeded by Ray Charles and Elvis Presley, according to Billboard Magazine.

The groundbreaking sales week was made all that much sweeter due to the fact that the Greatest Hits of the Fifties is a reunion between Manilow and Arista Records founder Clive Davis. It was in 1974 that the duo first worked together on the Grammy nominated "Mandy," Manilow's debut Number One single as the first artist signed to Arista by Davis, the first year of the label's existence.

"Over the years Barry and I have had many incredible, memorable moments together, but none to match this one," said Mr. Davis. "It's not only a genuine thrill to see the album enter the charts at Number One, but it's truly an historic occasion for both of us."

"I've had some pretty amazing experiences in my career, but this one tops them all," said Manilow. "My deepest gratitude to the brilliant Arista marketing team, my supportive fans, my own management staff and most of all to my colleague, friend and mentor, Clive Davis. I swear, if you live long enough, anything is possible!"

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES is a veritable jukebox of 13 Number One hits from one of the most beloved periods of popular song. Any one of them would be a thrilling addition on any new Manilow album - from his remake of the Four Lads' "Moments To Remember" (1955) and the Everly Brothers' "All I Have To Do Is Dream" (1958), to Bobby Darin's "Beyond The Sea" (1959) - but to hear them all on one collection is a treat that has resonated deeply with a wide variety of fans. The project (just like the era it emulates) cuts across musical genres, from Frankie Avalon's "Venus," to Johnny Mathis' "It's Not For Me To Say"(1957), to Tommy Edwards' "It's All In The Game" (1958), and Dinah Washington's signature "What A Difference A Day Makes" (1959).

Some of America's greatest artists are evoked on songs that are forever associated with them, for example, Tony Bennett on "Rags To Riches" (1953) and the Four Aces on the motion picture title tune hit "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" (1955). The spirit of Frank Sinatra imbues "Young At Heart" (1954) and Elvis Presley is remembered with "Are You Lonesome Tonight." "Unchained Melody" (1955), which is the album's first single, remains one of the most-recorded songs in contemporary popular music. The album is available as a CD and DualDisc release, featuring behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the record.

The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties Debuts at #1 on the Top 200 Albums Chart!
Barry Manilow sold an amazing 155,630 copies of his new album, The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties, in its first week in stores! This is Barry's first EVER #1 debut and is his first #1 album since 1977. Only Ray Charles and Elvis Presley have had longer spans between #1 albums. Congratulations to Barry Manilow!

NEW BARRY MANILOW ALBUM, THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES, IN STORES JANUARY 31st ON ARISTA RECORDS

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES not only marks Manilow’s return to the Arista Records label after five years, but also marks a reunion with Clive Davis, Arista founder and BMG U.S. Chairman & CEO. Davis has been a perennial collaborator with Manilow on virtually all his recordings, since they first worked together on “Mandy,” Manilow’s debut #1 single as the first artist signed to Arista by Davis in 1974, the first year of the label’s existence.

TRACK LISTING:

Comments Clive Davis: “No one can reinvent the great classics of the 1950’s better than Barry Manilow. He breathes new life and vitality into these truly wonderful songs and they sound fresh and timeless. We are together on a mission to bring to a new generation the great songs of a different era, and reuniting with him makes it all the more special.”

Comments Barry Manilow: “Once again, Clive Davis astounds me with his brilliant ideas. When he suggested this idea to me, I slapped my forehead and said, “Why hasn’t anyone thought of this idea?” But of course, there is only one Clive Davis. I feel honored and terribly fortunate to be working with him again after all these years. It’s like coming home. Being given the opportunity to co-produce, co-arrange and sing these rarely sung golden standards is a privilege. I hope they affect a new generation of listeners as deeply as they did those of us who were there.”

Highlighted by a guest appearance from Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters on the medley of 1954 hits, “Sincerely/ Teach Me Tonight,” THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES is a veritable jukebox of favorites. Any one of them would be a treat to hear on a new Manilow album – from his remake of the Four Lads’ “Moments To Remember” (1955) and the Everly Brothers’ “All I Have To Do Is Dream” (1958), to Bobby Darin’s “Beyond The Sea”(1959)– but to hear them collected on one album is a dream come true.

The project (just like the era it emulates) cuts across musical genres, from The Four Ace’s ”Love Is A Many Splendored Thing” (1955), to Frankie Avalon’s “Venus,” to Johnny Mathis’ ”It's Not For Me To Say”(1957), to Tommy Edwards’ “It’s All In The Game” (1958), and Dinah Washington’s signature “What A Difference A Day Makes” (1959).

Some of America’s greatest artists are evoked on songs that are forever associated with them, for example, Tony Bennett on “Rags To Riches” (1953) and the Four Aces on the motion picture title tune hit “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing” (1955). More: the spirit of Frank Sinatra imbues “Young At Heart”(1954) and Elvis Presley is remembered with “Are You Lonesome Tonight.” “Unchained Melody”(1955) remains one of the most-recorded songs in contemporary popular music.

For Manilow, THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES is a labor of love – by an artist whose career has encompassed every facet of popular music, from his own string of top 40 hits in the ’70s and ’80s to side trips into swing, jazz vocalese, Broadway show tunes, Christmas music, hits from the silver screen, even the special tribute Manilow Sings Sinatra.

Barry Manilow is ranked as the top Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time, according to R&R (Radio & Records); with no less than 25 consecutive top 40 hits to his credit between 1975 and 1983, on the Billboard Hot 100. Among these are songs that are now part of the standard songbook, including “Mandy,” “It’s a Miracle,” “Could It Be Magic,” “I Write the Songs,” “Looks Like We Made It,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” “Copacabana (At the Copa),” “Somewhere In the Night,” “Ships,” and “I Made It Through the Rain.” All of these (and more) were anthologized on the commemorative 1992 4-CD boxed-set, Barry Manilow: The Complete Collection And Then Some.

With worldwide record sales exceeding 75 million, his work as a singer, songwriter, arranger and producer over the course of more than 40 albums has earned Barry Manilow the highest honors. He sits on the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Jazz, and in June 2002, he was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music’s Songwriters Hall of Fame, alongside Ashford & Simpson, Michael Jackson, Randy Newman, and Sting.

In addition to his own foundation, the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope, other involvements include The Prince's Trust, United Way, the Starlight Foundation, numerous organizations fighting the battle against AIDS and many others. He is the national spokesperson for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Honorary Chairman of the Palm Springs Art Museum and a Founder of the Music Center of Los Angeles.