…And Daily Prompts QOTD

I wouldn’t call music an obsession of mine, but it ranks towards the top and is extremely important to have in your life. So, when the question, “What are the most important things needed to live a good life” came up, it immediately comes to mind.

Music has its way of uplifting, inspiring, soothing and reminiscing our souls. It brings happiness, sorrow and excitement as well.

Recently I was invited by our local senior center to attend what was being billed as ‘Barry Manilow’s – Last Detroit Concert‘. It was held at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. I couldn’t pass up the chance to see, in person, a man whose music goes well into my youth. With each of his songs comes a heartfelt meaning of its own. Something I learned as a youth while listening as several of my aunts swooned over him and his tunes.

While on stage, Manilow told stories. Stories of his own youth and how his grandfather would take him into the city on weekends. There he’d put a quarter into a recording machine and tell the toddler to sing. It took some doing and probably quite a few quarters, but he finally fulfilled his grandfather’s wish. He now attributes him to his success.

‘It’s a Miracle,’ in a sense that I caught Barry in Detroit on this day. As his first appearance in Motown was at the Masonic Temple on January 21, 1973. Fifty-two years later, here he is still performing at the age of 81. He’ll turn 82 on June 17th.

If you happen to stumble across this Barry, Happy Birthday and I wish you many more to come.

With an unimaginable number of awards already, on this night, he was given an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Music from Vandercook College of Music during a brief break in the concert.

In recognition of a few of my own supporters, I asked suggestions of their favorites in hopes that Barry would sing them, so I could get them on video. And he did. Not all of them, I’m sorry to say, as he has so many. But I was able to get a few.

I’ll begin with one for Tracy and an old friend in the San Francisco Bay Area. ‘I Can’t Smile Without You‘. Surly it was sung by the legend with the two of you in mind, on my behalf.

For Jennifer, this one’s always been a favorite of mine as well. There’s no way I could miss recording it. I may write the stories but ‘I Write the Songs‘ is all Barry and just for you!

For Kristyn (there’s always one in the crowd, remember Boston 😂), Tammy, and Tara I’m thrilled to include ‘Copacabana‘ for the three of you with added footage from his closing act!

‘Music and passion are always in fashion‘ but it doesn’t have to be just at the Copacabana. Because ‘Music fills your heart‘ and once you realize ‘It’s a fine place to start,’ you’ll know this story is “from me. It’s for you. It’s for you. It’s from me. It’s a worldwide symphony‘ (a little lyrical fun there).

This is why ‘Music is the Most Important Thing Everyone Needs‘. In the few words I penned, it gave happiness, showed sorrow and loss, told a tale for the entire world to hear but most of all it brought smiles.

I’d like to thank Jan for all her hard work in making this trip and concert happen with such ease. You couldn’t have done a better job and I’ve never seen a group of seniors so happy. For you, I saved ‘Even Now‘ and, an ‘I can’t wait till July 3rd‘ mention to drive my readers frenzies to a fevered pitch.

While boarding our bus for home, I asked everyone if they felt ‘young again, even tho’ I’m (they’re) very old,’ and received a resounding ‘YES‘ as a reply. Barry had done his job and done it well. For in their eyes, I saw the swooning of teenagers once again. Followed passionately with sultry remarks of days gone by and the loves along the way. Surly a night they’ll remember through their remaining years.

Thank you, Barry, for a marvelous evening!

Please do not make any donations to me because of this story. Instead make them to your local school district in honor of their music programs in Barry Manilow’s name.