My Greatest Love

in a rare interview, Barry Manilow talks about finally coming out as gay, his love for husband Garry, and why he’ll never retire

 

- Jeff Nelson

Barry Manilow’s Palm Springs home is quirky, surprisingly unassuming and fiercely guarded – much like the treasured pop icon himself.

Sequestered beyond a gate and up a rocky path, the Spanish-style compound sits on 53 acres atop a hill overlooking the desert city. On a sunny afternoon, its owner kicks back on a plaid easy chair in his recording studio.

Every one of his 15 Grammy nomination certificates deck a single wall, but it’s the family photos and kitsch decor that tell of the man behind the music.

‘This is my sanctuary,’ says Barry, 73. ‘And you can’t come in unless I invite you,’ he adds with a chuckle. The music veteran – who has just released his 30th studio album, This Is My Town: Songs of New York and performs this week on ITV’s Tonight at the London Palladium – opened his doors for the first time recently, offering a glimpse inside his private world.