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Manilow concert near sell-out at Covelli Centre
YOUNGSTOWN
To the delight of local ’70s and ’80s pop-music lovers, one of the kings of pop, Barry Manilow, included a Youngstown stop on his “One Last Time!” tour with a performance Saturday at the Covelli Centre.
Manilow, 72, has said this is his last massive North American tour, but he has not ruled out performing concerts or becoming a permanent attraction in Las Vegas.
Taking the stage at 8:20 p.m., after an exciting set by saxophonist Dave Koz and his band, Manilow opened with several of his audience sing-along favorites, including “It’s a Miracle,” “Daybreak,” and “Somewhere in the Night.”
And it only took that first familiar tune to draw the audience, already primed for Manilow, to get into the full spirit of the evening.
People of all ages and from all over the area and beyond took the opportunity to see and hear Manilow, who sounds as smooth and mellow as ever.
Several ticket-holders talked about Manilow while waiting to get into the nearly sold-out venue.
Among them were Lisa and Bob Matasy of Austintown.
Lisa, who is a “big Manilow fan” and last saw the singer in Pittsburgh, said it was nice to not to have to drive far to see him again.
Carolyn Janosko of Hermitage, Pa., who described herself as a “heavy-duty” Manilow fan and said he is her “go-to guy,” noting that all the CDs in her car are by Manilow.
Also, Janosko and Barb Mason, of West Middlesex, Pa., had never before been to a live concert.
“When I heard he was coming here, I said, ‘I’ve got to go,’” Mason said.
Cindy Balog of Youngstown and her sister, Linda Alley of Austintown, daughters of Jack Alley, a Vindicator printer for many years, said they came to the concert for their parents “who loved Manilow.”
Mary Angelo of Youngstown became a Barry Manilow fan while she and her five brothers and sisters had to clean the house on Saturdays.
“We blasted Barry, and it made the cleaning easier,” she said.
Debby Fabian of Youngstown and her sister-in-law, Marilyn Fabian of Tucson, Ariz., were eager for the show to begin.
“He puts on an awesome show,” said Debby, who saw him in Las Vegas.
“I have never seen Barry in person. This is such a thrill. Yea!” said Marilyn.
Paul Yakubov of Austintown was waiting for his sister, Dr. Lyn Yakubov and people from her office.
“I think we are all Barry Manilow fans,” said Yakubov, who was also interested in hearing Dave Koz.
He explained: “I grew up playing the saxophone and formerly played in the Mike Roncone Band.
Laura Weymer of Liberty and her mother, Kathy Bright of Grove City, Ohio, were among the throng waiting for the concert to begin.
Bright said she saw Manilow years ago in Columbus, and was looking forward to singing along again, particularly to one of her favorite Manilow songs, “Mandy.”
Manilow’s performance also was expected to include a medley with excerpts from a dozen or so career-spanning songs. The medley includes “Read SSLqEm and Weep,” “Somewhere Down the Road,” and “Ships,” according to advance concert publicity.
Among Manilow’s best recordings, according to the AXS website, are: “Could It Be Magic;” “It’s a Miracle,” “Mandy,” “Looks Like We Made It,” “Ready To Take a Chance Again,” “I Write The Songs,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” “Even Now,” “Weekend in New England,” and “Copacabana,” which earned Manilow his first Grammy for best lyrics in 1979.