Barry Fan Blog
Dunbar
This may have been posted here before, however this particular fan
blog seems a bit different than the one I remember here. Anyhoo,
pretty fun read and it points back to legal hand slapping a looooong
time ago-
Angel
BMIFC fandom in a bubble: a place where you can go to be a Barry
Manilow fan and no one can hurt you..
HA; if only that were true.
Thanks for the read.
Patricia
This led me to finding this, which I thought was really interesting
(though I'm not sure how long ago it was posted):
I'm a huge fan
I used to work in the music industry and one friend of mine was his PR
person for a while and another friend works at his label.
Coincidentally, his former Musical Director and band member for more
than 10 years worked with me on a performance I did in LA last year.
Each of these people confirmed for me that he has a long-term (male)
partner. Both the PR person and Record person agreed that it is his
opinion that it is in his best interest to continue with the front
that he is straight, or at the very least, leave it ambiguous. The
thinking is that his fan base is mostly women, and they are not sure
how they would react to the news that he is gay. It is particularly
amusing to visit the Manilow forum that used to be on Usenet (maybe it
is still there) because there are two groups of people--one that
insists that he in no way is gay and the second group that has woken
up and smelled the coffee. In his biography, he throws out a few
little details to try to defuse the situation (i.e., he was once
married to a woman, briefly, and his "close friendship" with Linda
Allen in the 70's), but based on conversations with these people, I
feel confident that he is gay and I feel badly for him that he doesn't
feel he can be open about it.
wac...@aol.com
I loved reading this. Brought back a lot of memories for me. It's
also nice to know that my own fandom experience is now validated in
someone else's blog.
Susan
wac...@aol.com
Who knows, maybe one day he'll surprise his fans and just say it and
be done with all the speculation.
Susan
Dunbar
Yes, I remember reading in your autobiography of Barry that he was
fascinated with the gay lifestyle and all the fancy trappings, but
felt uncomfortable about it, or something to that extent.
Back in the 60's you didn't announce you were gay to ANYONE.
Sometimes I wonder if he is bisexual- but leans more towards male
partners. Maybe all the strong Jewish women in his family scared him
from women- I don't think his mother approved of his first wife-
Jewish mothers have to come first. And with women raising him with no
male influences other than his stepfather- and even after Edna
remarried I don't think Willie had much influence over Barry- momma
did ALL the raisin' of that baby chick- maybe it just pushed him to
find solace in male companions, maybe he felt more comfortable and
less intimidated than he might with women. Actually I think women on
a whole, scare the shit out of him. Hence his dislike for most of the
fans.
Dunbar
I also wanted to say to Barry if you're reading this: I really do
love what you've given the world musically over the years. I'm a fan
of you AND the music. I've always admired the way you've stayed out
of the gossip mongers sites, for the most part, you've never been
caught in compromising situations, spent time in rehab or fell on your
ass getting into your limo after a big whoopdeedoo shindig.
You for the most part, have always been a class act to the public
eye. To the fans a bit different. We're closer to you so we do see a
wart or booger once in awhile. And what a booger it can be!
We don't give a shit if you're gay. We would hope you're in a
monogamous relationship and don't end up like Freddie Mercury or such-
so tragic for them. The fans want the best for you and most of us
understand why if you were gay, chose to conceal it from the world.
Your reputation has been built on being a teen idol since the '70's.
You have made the young girls cry and millions fell in love with you
along the way through the 80's, 90's and to the current day. To come
out at any time and admit you were gay back then, especially in the
70's would've been the kiss of death. And after the momentum built it
never made sense to come out. Not even now in your sixties- you still
make girls and women scream and buy $500 tickets and $1,500 Platinums,
so why ruin that? Us real and true fans wouldn't care what you were,
but the hormonally charged ladies would definitely take their
pocketbooks elsewhere. And there are MANY more of them, than 'us' the
'real' music fans.
It would compare to finding out Santa Claus didn't exist when you were
8 years old. Even though most of us are pushing 40, 50 and beyond, it
would disappoint so many who still have that little Barry fantasy
going on.
No one seems to really realize that being portrayed as straight is
part of the business strategy. We would all be okay with it if he
came out- and if he is gay, we wish he would someday. But on the
other hand his empire would crumble and I guess we don't want that for
him either.
My disclaimer:
All of the above is merely my opinion and nothing more.
Patricia
I doubt that a man nearing 70, who's been doing what he does
successfully for the past 40 years, suddenly admitting what most folks
have known for a long time would cause his empire to crumble. In
fact, I doubt it would elicit much more than a yawn from most folks.
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
Being gay isn't a matter of upbringing. A heterosexual male can be
raised by a convent full of strict nuns or a brothel full of iron-
willed whores and he's still going to be a heterosexual when he goes
out in the world on his own. And a gay male can be raised by General
Patton and the entire cast pf Gunsmoke and he's still going to be the
only one at family reunions with perfect highlights. If Barry
dislikes any or all of his fans, I don't think it has anything at all
to do with his mother or his sexual orientation, but rather how the
obsessiveness (and demographic) or a certain band of his fans have
contributed to him being the butt of too many jokes.
desertcactus
DunBar,
For me it's not the fact that Barry is gay that bugs me it's that he
lied for so long. He used hetero-sexuality, the fact that he is a
long time
divorcee and his music to seduce his fans into believing he was all
that
and available to the female masses to build his wealth. Not nice
thing
to do, build an empire based on lies and deceit and to continue on to
this day. What a player. Well only players love you when you're
playing
don't they?
Now after all these years he's going for the civilians. Well we know
what
they think of him. i.e. comments made on a recent article. Just
because
your build something, they won't always come. Meaning the Paris.
Isn't
that place a predominant playground for gays? I'm pretty sure it is.
Anyway, this is the only reason I feel badly for the lusters. All
that energy
for a guy that actually doesn't give a flying frig anyway for women.
Imagine,
a sea of women and all he sees sexually about them is EWWWWWW!!!!
All about the music, indeed.
Dunbar
Probably his ardent followers might not even believe it if it did come
from his mouth.
However, if it wasn't a deal breaker, he probably would've come out
long ago. It's a business decision, plain and simple.
Dunbar
Desert Cactus, well said.
I do have to disagree with one above poster: While it would illicit a
yawn from most of US, I do think his hormonally charged league of
ladies would flip their freakin' wigs if he announced that he lived an
alternate lifestyle. Would his empire crumble? No, he has millions
in the bank, he'd never have to lift a finger or a voice again for as
long as he lives. However I do think it would impact his popularity
and ticket sales with his legion of ultra horny women fans. Of course
it would, thats why if he were gay, he doesn't announce it.
desertcactus
Dunbar, that's what I mean. He got those million by playing those
women. The sexgod thing was created to entice women. What for?
Sex sells? These women were played! Pure and simple.
If Barry lost everything he had today, these very same women would
come to his rescue. He'd have everything back tomorrow. But why?
Because they believe in him.
If came out and said he was gay now after all these. I don't think it
would bring out a yawn at all. People just don't like to be played.
and to say it's only business, well, I heard that line somewhere
before.
One thing I admired about that young Adam Lambert guy is once he knew
he may be a shining star, he came right out and said he was gay. He
probably learned that was the right thing to do from the mistakes of
others
who just waited way too long.
Angel
>
> - Show quoted text -
At the end of the day it does`nt matter what any of us think. He has
to live with himself, and if he lies, he has to live with the torment.
Maybe the reason he does`nt get the respect he feels he deserves is
because most people are not so naive and they don`t like fakes.
Musically I can`t really fault him apart from the fact he is way too
commercial for my liking. As a man, I think he is an out and out
asshole. JMO.
One thing I admired about Elton John was that eventually he came out
and admitted his sexuality and since then he has gained more respect
than he ever had before. God we used to sit on the football terraces
at Watford FC and the fans would chant gay songs in his presence and
he was able to laugh at it. Probably because at last, he felt
comfortable with who he was and felt accepted and relieved he was no
longer living a lie. He is a better person, and I`ve never seen him
look so happy. He and David Furnish make a perfect couple and I`m
thrilled for them both.
What is the saying; Honesty is the best policy.
IreneH
>
I agree that the newer fans may have been enticed by the 'sex god'
image which has got out of hand, but that was not the case for us
longterm fans from the seventies.
We fell for a shy, gauche, self-deprecating funny guy who sang with
such passion it held us spellbound. We could see his insecurities and
doubts about his right to be a success and were right there
encouraging him and returning the warmth we got from him. As time
went on a few sexy moves were added but they were accompanied by a
little smile and wink and we smiled back with him. We never got the
urge to throw panties at the stage a la Tom Jones.
There was no way he could have come out in the seventies and eighties
with the aids panic going on. Elton John is a slightly different
case. His fans were equally male and female unlike Barry's who are
mainly female and I don't think the emotional link between women and
Elton was ever there. Barry probably never thought his sexuality
would be a problem as he always seemed to think he wouldn't last as
long as he has. Now it is just too late. The young stars of today
have no problem coming out as times have changed so much.
Just my opinion
ireneH
Patricia
I think it was certainly a business decision -- or pure self-
preservation -- in 1974. But this is 2010. While homophobes still
abound, being gay is hardly a career- ender, especially when someone's
already had a decades-long career. I can't think of any performer,
especially musician, who's come out and then suffered any kind of
setback from it. Elton John certainly still seems to be in demand.
So I just don't think that argument washes anymore.
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
I think you're exactly right, Angel. When looking at the question,
"Why does Barry Manilow get so little respect?" this is what I kept
coming back to: People can sense dishonesty and inauthenticity, and
they react badly to it. It's not completely apt here, but it reminds
me of the quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne: "No man, for any
considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the
multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the
true." I think in his attempt to wear one face to himself and another
to the multitude, Barry ended up just confounding himself, and the
befuddlement bled through to his career. I have to wonder how
different people's perception of him and his career would be today if
he'd only been honest as early-on as possible.
Totosmom
it. It's part of the ACT, part of the show, part of the illusion
that all performers create. But why some people buy into it is what
puzzles me.
My grandfather, who was an old vaudevillian, taught me at a very young
age, not to come away from any performance believing any of what I saw
to be real or true. He would say that as long as there is a stage,
costumes, lights, makeup, then it's all make-believe. It may look
pretty, sound wonderful, you may long to live like that, but it's not
reality, just a nice brief getaway from your everyday life, and to
think otherwise would be foolish.
I never bought into the illusion, never really cared to be honest,
but I do love the music, and for me, that's the only part of it all
that is real.
Bonnie
Nash's Gramma
fascination with Barry's sexuality. Oh, you can justify it by saying
it's about honesty and being true to yourself, but what it boils down
to is you want Barry to out himself. Why? What does it matter? If you
already believe he's lying about not being gay, then how is him coming
out going to change your opinion of him? I just don't get it. There
are so many other facets of his professional life to talk about, why
pick this one?
What's that you say? This isn't about his professional life?? Well, if
it's not about his professional life, then it's really none of our
business, is it? And I suspect that is precisely the reason Barry
doesn't address the issue. BECAUSE IT'S NONE OF OUR BUSINESS. Sorry
for shouting, but really, folks. It really is NOOB. If there is one
person who reads this newsgroup who had NEVER lied about ANYTHING,
regardless of how small or large a lie it was, then hats off to you.
The rest of us flawed human beings bow to you.
JMHO
CA Sharon
Patricia
I'm really not buying the whole "Anything that's not about his
professional life is none of our business" routine. If that were the
case then he wouldn't have written an autobiography, and his fans
wouldn't have bought it, or any of the other scores of thousands of
articles and interviews purporting to delve into the man behind they
myth. He's brought his fans into his personal life from the git-go --
but only the "personal life" he wants you to think he has. This isn't
about whether any of us have ever told a lie in our life -- that was a
facile comparison. But if a performer builds a lot of his career on
the loyalty of his fans, and works to make those fans feel that they
are part of his extended family who have grown with him through the
years, then, yeah, I do expect a bit of honesty. Of course beyond
that is the larger issue of closeted gays just perpetuating the
damaging notion that being gay is something to be ashamed of and to
hide. He can throw fundraisers for as many gay charities as he wants,
but if he's still, by his actions (or lack thereof), saying
essentially "gay is bad," then he's negating with one hand all the
good he's doing with the other. Again, I think it's this dichotomy
that makes him so vulnerable to critics' arrows.
Nash's Gramma
> but only the "personal life" he wants you to think he has.
The key words here are "HE'S brought his fans into his personal life."
No one, not even a mega super star, should have to divulge parts of
his life he prefers to remain private. Not allowing himself to be
coerced into something someone else wants is not that same as
perpetuating an idea.
And the idea that Barry has worked to make his fans feel that they are
part of his extended family is a joke. Selected fans, maybe. But those
fans are precisely the ones who wouldn't believe it even if he said it
at a convention.
And if someone thinks Barry refusing to out himself give the message
that "gay is bad" then perhaps that person has issues with the whole
concept of gayness to begin with.
I really think the whole issue is one of "labels" again. Why do we
label people as "the gay singer" or the "black quarterback" or the
"unmarried Supreme Court nominee"? I'll never understand it.
But then again, it's only my opinion.
Dunbar
As Irene said, EJ draws a totally different crowd than Manilow. If he
were to come out- I can't imagine what his hoards of femme fans would
think. I'm talking the legion of fans that are drawn to that ultimate
sex god facade- yes I do think it would damage his image to them.
Most probably wouldn't believe it- but if it came from his mouth.
But thats why I'm thinking, if he gay, that's why he's not rolling out
of the closet.
Dunbar
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
I'm sorry to keep saying this, but... THE MAN IS NEARLY 70! How much
of a "sex god" is he meant to be??
Dunbar
I agree wholeheartedly. Is he attractive? I think so but he needs to
quit tightening up everything at this point. Sex god? No. but if you
visit the MMN you will see old and young alike slobbering and
fantasizing about him. There is a very young lady over there (27 I
think) who just has a continual hard on for him. She apparently works
in nursing and it seems it's the only thing she talks to her co
workers about. Scary to think you might be in for an angiogram and
she would be prattling away about how sexy Barry is while she sticks
you with a needle....
But some over there got it BAD for him- so age must not matter.
Patricia
I'm sorry, but he can't have it both ways. Either he wants fans to
know about his personal life or he doesn't. If he does, then he can't
say, "Here's my personal life -- or at least the fantasy of a personal
life I think you want to believe." If he wants fans out of his
personal life, then he should say so. But what he's done is invite
them into an alternate reality that he's calling his personal ilfe,
but which doesn't really exist.
And, I'm sorry, but this comment makes no sense: "And if someone
thinks Barry refusing to out himself give the message
that "gay is bad" then perhaps that person has issues with the whole
concept of gayness to begin with." Lying about your sexual
orientation -- and I'm not talking about just refusing to discuss it,
I mean outright lying when asked point blank -- you are, indeed,
sending the message that your sexual orientation is something to be
ashamed of and to lie about. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the
person who makes this connection having issues with homosexuality;
that makes no sense. Coincidentally, yesterday I caught the 1938
"Imitation of Life" with Claudette Colbert. The daughter is ashamed
of being black and, since she's light skinned and can pass for white,
she pretends to be white and denies being black to the extent that she
pretends not to know her own mother. Now do you think the message I,
as the viewer, should come away with is that the daughter isn't
ashamed of being black she just feels that her private life should
remain private and, if I think that the message she's sending is that
being black is something to be ashamed of, it must mean I'm racist?
Angel
>
> - Show quoted text -
That nurse obviously does`nt work with elderly men. If she had, she
would realise that knocking on 70 is`nt an attractive sight. You may
be able to disguise the face with as many nips and tucks as you like.
Not quite so easy with the rest of the body.
My god; the thought has put me right off my dinner.
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
Sorry, but that's just creepy!
Angel
>
> - Show quoted text -
I was replying to Dunbars comment, sorry you find that creepy.
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
What I was finding creepy was the same thing you said put you off your
dinner.
rpj...@yahoo.com
>
> > I agree wholeheartedly. Is he attractive? I think so but he needs to
> > quit tightening up everything at this point. Sex god? No. but if you
> > visit the MMN you will see old and young alike slobbering and
> > fantasizing about him. There is a very young lady over there (27 I
> > think) who just has a continual hard on for him. She apparently works
> > in nursing and it seems it's the only thing she talks to her co
> > workers about. Scary to think you might be in for an angiogram and
> > she would be prattling away about how sexy Barry is while she sticks
> > you with a needle....
>
> > But some over there got it BAD for him- so age must not matter.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> That nurse obviously does`nt work with elderly men. If she had, she
> would realise that knocking on 70 is`nt an attractive sight. You may
> be able to disguise the face with as many nips and tucks as you like.
> Not quite so easy with the rest of the body.
> My god; the thought has put me right off my dinner.
The young woman you're talking about, works in a hospital but
she's not a nurse.
Crystal
wac...@aol.com
>
> - Show quoted text -
Personally, I think that because he feels he is his authentic self in
private that he is not really living a lie. Also, in recent years,
when the question was addressed about his sexual identity, his then
public relations rep. said that she would not comment on his private
life which is a far cry from his early days when he flat out denied
it. On the other hand, it makes me wonder why it really matters at
all, if as he says, it's all about the music any way. Is it really
all about the music or does he still feel he has to sell himself as
some sort of object to his female fans in order to sell his records?
Susan
Angel
>
> - Show quoted text -
If it were just about the music, do you really think he would still
have the following he has. I doubt it. Just go back 5 years or so.
Musically; what has he given us. Nothing worth shouting about, and the
live performances, although well polished, the music is pretty much
the same as we have been getting for decades now.
reb
32271f...@w30g2000yqw.googlegroups.com:
> I doubt that a man nearing 70, who's been doing what he does
> successfully for the past 40 years, suddenly admitting what most folks
> have known for a long time would cause his empire to crumble. In
> fact, I doubt it would elicit much more than a yawn from most folks.
I agree with you. most people have thought Barry is gay so long that it
wouldn't matter. look at Ricky Martin..did his announcement mean all that
much?
Dunbar
LOL!
Dunbar
Thats probably a good thing- however if she is in charge on anyone's
health care, thats a scary thought- thinking about Barry and
daydreaming while swapping up medical charts... YIKES
Dunbar
I agree Angel. Went I went to his show, I can guarantee, that the
'I'm just there for the music' is pure hogwash.
The whole showroom was pulsating with hormones. You should've seen
the women standing and gaping in awe- one who kept trying to flounder
herself on the stage- and on and on. It's all about sex appeal not
the music to most of these babes.
dcsharon
>
> I'm sorry to keep saying this, but... THE MAN IS NEARLY 70! How much
> of a "sex god" is he meant to be??- Hide quoted text -
>
I sit across the cubby wall from a man who is a month younger than
Barry. They actually grew up in the same neighborhood in Brooklyn.
The man sounds like he's dying 70% of the day from hacking,
coughing ... and making other groaning/moaning sounds.
I have asked to be moved as I'm constantly asking him if he's okay.
Everytime he sputters and hacks, I think .. OMG .. Barry's a MONTH
older ...
<sigh>
Truly ruins the supermegastarseggod image <sorta>
(DC) Sharon
Brenda
> Who knows, maybe one day he'll surprise his fans and just say it and
> be done with all the speculation.
>
> Susan-
You know, the first time I heard Barry was gay was back in 1981.
That's almost THIRTY years ago!
I mean, it's like buying a house thirty years ago ... and it has this
bedroom .. and there's a closet with a door that's open just part-
way ... and there's this cute little critter in the back of the
closet. And we've been putting out critter treats, and singing fuzzy
litter critter songs, and just tryiing to our darndest to tell it not
be afraid, c'mon honey, you can do it, c'mon out... and here it is,
2010, and it's still in the back of the *$%@#*^ closet, hissing if you
get too close.
Sigh ...
Brenda
Brenda
> Maybe it's because I'm an old fart, but I just don't get the continued
> fascination with Barry's sexuality.
Sharon, I don't think anybody's "fascinated" by his sexuality.
I think people are fascinated that he still - in this day and age -
keeps it closeted.
Brenda
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
Good point.
Patricia
> Patricia <pbutler...@aol.com> wrote in news:79bfecb8-9e06-4893-8ce4-
> 32271fb68...@w30g2000yqw.googlegroups.com:
>
> > I doubt that a man nearing 70, who's been doing what he does
> > successfully for the past 40 years, suddenly admitting what most folks
> > have known for a long time would cause his empire to crumble. In
> > fact, I doubt it would elicit much more than a yawn from most folks.
>
> I agree with you. most people have thought Barry is gay so long that it
> wouldn't matter. look at Ricky Martin..did his announcement mean all that
> much?
No. And, another difference, before that announcement he didn't lie or
obfuscate -- he said straight out that he didn't discuss his personal
life -- ANY of his personal life.
Dunbar
Thanks for that comparison Brenda, next time I see or hear Barry I'll
think of him in the back of the closet- me waving a pack of Marlboro's
at him, while he growls and hisses and calls me a bitch. LOL!
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
This story seems timely for this discussion:
desertcactus
> Patricia <pbutler...@aol.com> wrote in news:79bfecb8-9e06-4893-8ce4-
> 32271fb68...@w30g2000yqw.googlegroups.com:
>
> > successfully for the past 40 years, suddenly admitting what most folks
> > have known for a long time would cause his empire to crumble. In
> > fact, I doubt it would elicit much more than a yawn from most folks.
>
> I agree with you. most people have thought Barry is gay so long that it
> wouldn't matter. look at Ricky Martin..did his announcement mean all that
> much?
Who's Ricky Martin?
Desert Cactus
Patricia
Angel
> On Aug 26, 10:40 am, desertcactus <berrid...@yahoo.ca> wrote:
>
>
> Desert Cactus
>
>
> Really??!!
I had`nt a clue who Ricky Martin was until Livin' la Vida Loca", . and
that is the only song I`m familliar with. He is`nt that big over here
in the UK.
marvin
>
> I think it was certainly a business decision -- or pure self-
> preservation -- in 1974. But this is 2010. While homophobes still
> abound, being gay is hardly a career- ender, especially when someone's
> already had a decades-long career. I can't think of any performer,
> especially musician, who's come out and then suffered any kind of
> setback from it. Elton John certainly still seems to be in demand.
-
>
> - Show quoted text -
I agree with Patricia and one more point- maybe there are some
gay people that will become Barry fans for his courage to come out
that will make up for the fans who may dump him for ruining the sex
god image. Marvin
trigger3998
> On Aug 24, 11:13 pm, Dunbar <nsand...@cox.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Aug 24, 9:33 pm, desertcactus <berrid...@yahoo.ca> wrote:
>
> > > On Aug 24, 9:50 pm, Patricia <pbutler...@aol.com> wrote:
>
> > > > On Aug 24, 10:32 pm, Dunbar <nsand...@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > > > > On Aug 24, 12:55 pm, Dunbar <nsand...@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > > > > No one seems to really realize that being portrayed as straight is
> > > > > part of the business strategy. We would all be okay with it if he
> > > > > came out- and if he is gay, we wish he would someday. But on the
> > > > > other hand his empire would crumble and I guess we don't want that for
> > > > > him either.
>
> > > > successfully for the past 40 years, suddenly admitting what most folks
> > > > have known for a long time would cause his empire to crumble. In
> > > > fact, I doubt it would elicit much more than a yawn from most folks.
>
I haven't heard a word about Adam Lambert since AI. Unfortunately,
being honest hasn't seemed to have helped him become a household word.
Trigger
Brenda
I don't know, Marvin...
I kinda think Barry would want new fans (gay or not) to become fans
only Brenbecause they enjoy his music.
If he ever comes out, he needs to do it for himself alone, and if
there's a positive ripple effect from his having done it, all the
better. But if anything negative comes of it (say, some fan goes over
the edge in some way), then I have faith he and his team would be able
to handle it.
Brenda
Brenda
>
> I haven't heard a word about Adam Lambert since AI. Unfortunately,
> being honest hasn't seemed to have helped him become a household word.
> Trigger- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Whatever happened to Clay Aiken?
Brenda
rpj...@yahoo.com
> On Aug 29, 4:47 am, trigger3998 <mobron...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > being honest hasn't seemed to have helped him become a household word.
> > Trigger- Hide quoted text -
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Whatever happened to Clay Aiken?
>
> Brenda
Let's see, he performed in Spamalot as Sir Robin twice, signed with
Decca records, released a cd of old classics this past June, taped a
PBS special called Tried And True that's been released to dvd already,
and has just finished a tour with Rueben Studdard that from what I've
read was quite successful. Clay is doing just fine and Adam Lambert is
touring right now with Alison Iraheta opening for him, and the tour is
doing quite well sales wise.
Crystal
Brenda
>
> > Whatever happened to Clay Aiken?
>
> > Brenda
>
> Let's see, he performed in Spamalot as Sir Robin twice, signed with
> Decca records, released a cd of old classics this past June, taped a
> PBS special called Tried And True that's been released to dvd already,
> and has just finished a tour with Rueben Studdard that from what I've
> read was quite successful. Clay is doing just fine and Adam Lambert is
> touring right now with Alison Iraheta opening for him, and the tour is
> doing quite well sales wise.
>
> Crystal
Oh cool - didn't know that! Good to hear he's still out there ... I
hadn't heard peep about him in ages.
Brenda
rpj...@yahoo.com
I think Clay just wanted to take a break after going non stop for
almost five years; he also became a father to an adorable little red
headed boy named Parker Foster Aiken two years ago.
Crystal
trigger3998
> On Aug 25, 11:28 am, Patricia <pbutler...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Aug 25, 1:22 pm, Dunbar <nsand...@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > > On Aug 25, 6:50 am, Patricia <pbutler...@aol.com> wrote:
>
> > > > On Aug 25, 12:09 am, Dunbar <nsand...@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > > > > On Aug 24, 8:50 pm, Patricia <pbutler...@aol.com> wrote:
>
> > > > > > On Aug 24, 10:32 pm, Dunbar <nsand...@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > > > > > > On Aug 24, 12:55 pm, Dunbar <nsand...@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > > > > > > No one seems to really realize that being portrayed as straight is
> > > > > > > part of the business strategy. We would all be okay with it if he
> > > > > > > came out- and if he is gay, we wish he would someday. But on the
> > > > > > > other hand his empire would crumble and I guess we don't want that for
> > > > > > > him either.
>
> > > > > > I doubt that a man nearing 70, who's been doing what he does
> > > > > > successfully for the past 40 years, suddenly admitting what most folks
> > > > > > have known for a long time would cause his empire to crumble. In
> > > > > > fact, I doubt it would elicit much more than a yawn from most folks.
>
> > > > > from his mouth.
>
> > > > > However, if it wasn't a deal breaker, he probably would've come out
> > > > > long ago. It's a business decision, plain and simple.
>
> > > > preservation -- in 1974. But this is 2010. While homophobes still
> > > > abound, being gay is hardly a career- ender, especially when someone's
> > > > already had a decades-long career. I can't think of any performer,
> > > > especially musician, who's come out and then suffered any kind of
> > > > setback from it. Elton John certainly still seems to be in demand.
>
> > > As Irene said, EJ draws a totally different crowd than Manilow. If he
> > > were to come out- I can't imagine what his hoards of femme fans would
> > > think. I'm talking the legion of fans that are drawn to that ultimate
> > > sex god facade- yes I do think it would damage his image to them.
> > > Most probably wouldn't believe it- but if it came from his mouth.
>
> > > But thats why I'm thinking, if he gay, that's why he's not rolling out
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > of a "sex god" is he meant to be??
>
> quit tightening up everything at this point. Sex god? No. but if you
> visit the MMN you will see old and young alike slobbering and
> fantasizing about him. There is a very young lady over there (27 I
> think) who just has a continual hard on for him. She apparently works
> in nursing and it seems it's the only thing she talks to her co
> workers about. Scary to think you might be in for an angiogram and
> she would be prattling away about how sexy Barry is while she sticks
> you with a needle....
>
> But some over there got it BAD for him- so age must not matter.
I often wonder if these women on MMN, in their mind's eye, still see
Barry as he was in his younger days. I wonder if they fail to see the
almost 70 year old man as he is now. You know what they say, love is
blind.
Trigger
Jackie
> I often wonder if these women on MMN, in their mind's eye, still see
> Barry as he was in his younger days. I wonder if they fail to see the
> almost 70 year old man as he is now. You know what they say, love is
> blind.
> Trigger
Perception is really interesting, isn't it? When any of us look in
the mirror, do we see our actual age or what we'd like to be?
I still can see the younger Barry when I see him -- though do wish
he'd allow himself to be human and age gracefully (or not) as we all
do. That he still has his hair is certainly something to be thankful
for. In younger days, I thought he was cute ... but just don't see
him as a sex symbol at all. ... and don't really think of 70 year olds
as that either. Jon Hamm -- Gerard Butler ... on the other
hand..... :-)
Jackie
Dunbar
To me Barry has never been the emasculation of sex appeal. While I
thought he was uniquely good looking, he didn't have classic good
looks like Paul Newman, Robert Redford, etc, but obviously he has
'what it takes' for MANY women out there. I think it's a lot like the
Mr. Spock comparison when Leonard Nimoy was propelled in sex god
status in the late sixties, early seventies. His character on TV was
'untouchable' and I think all the cool, calm, collectedness brought
women to him in masses. Women love a challenge and an off limits man
is no exception. Ask Fantasia Barrino about that ;)
Barry was off limits in a way as he was a celebrity and hardly anyone
could get close to him- which drove many young woman to try harder to
do so- also his cute, funny, self deprecation act was a turn on to a
lot as well. Lots of women still think, 'if only I could get close to
him, I'd bring him out of his shell and make him happy.'
I think a lot of fans still think Barry is lonely and unhappy. The
take too much into the songs he sings. They hear what they think is a
lonely man reaching out through his songs. Only most can't separate
fantasy from reality.
I can't really see him as a sex symbol but I can really see why
they're attracted. While he is pushing 70 he doesn't look bad, he's
had plastic surgery, but I don't think he's had enough to look bad- he
has let his eyes go natural- and maybe he is just blessed with good
genes. He is still nice and trim without the senior citizen pot
belly- his hair still looks good, though I'm betting it's 70% gray,
which wasn't a bad look for him- so overall I don't think he looks
half bad for a guy his age.
While some people go 'eeeww' when thinking of someone over 60- fact is
people take better care of themselves and as long as they're trying to
keep up, keep fit and get out in the public eye and stay up on trends,
I don't see someone of that age being unattractive.
Nash's Gramma
>
> - Show quoted text -
Although I tend to agree with most of what you're saying, I'm laughing
about the comments about those over 60. I don't know how old you are,
but I'm 61, and nobody has ever gone "eeeww" about that. Haven't you
heard that 60 is the new 50?? :-)
CA Sharon
Dunbar
LOL, well a poster above said something about not thinking of 70 yr
olds as being sex symbols- so I was running with that. You know how
most 'younger' people are- anyone over 35 is over the hill. And yes
60 is the new 50 =D
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
So is obsesson.
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
"To me Barry has never been the emasculation of sex appeal"
I'm guessing you were looking for some word other than "emasculation"?
Patricia
>
> - Show quoted text -
My boyfriend is 65 and I think he's plenty hot. But if I weren't in
love with him, and I saw him up on a stage, I'm thinking my Underoos
are going to be staying firmly in place.
Dunbar
Probably, it's late and I'm tired! Emulate was what I meant- yikes- I
should pay more attention, tho some might like the opportunity to
remove 'something'.
Dunbar
Hhahahahaha, your UNDEROOS? Haven't heard that in a long time!
Brenda
> To me Barry has never been the emasculation of sex appeal.
The "emasculation of sex appeal"?
What does that mean?
Brenda
Brenda
>
> Probably, it's late and I'm tired! Emulate was what I meant- yikes- I
> should pay more attention, tho some might like the opportunity to
> remove 'something'.-
Sorry, didn't read your post until after I'd posted.
P.S. But I don't "emulation" works too well either. Maybe you're
goin' for "epitome"?
trigger3998
I found Barry to be extremely attractive when he was younger, all of
the way into his 50s. I think the suit look he wore in his 50s was
very appropriate and flattering for him. He was cute as a young man
and part of his appeal was his gawky, awkwardness. I too wish he would
have skipped the plastic surgery, but it's probably a necessity of
show business. Civilians would likely be disappointed if he actually
looked his age since they don't have the long-time appreciation like
we do. It may have been years since many civilians have even seen a
picture of him let alone seen him in person. We are all older and
just aging right along with him. I have a picture of Barry and I taken
25 years ago and we both look a lot different in that photo than we do
now. And that's okay. I still consider him to be an attractive
gentleman. Thankfully my husband still considers me to be attractive.
I feel the same about him. Love him all the more after all these
years.
Trigger
Trigger
IreneH
>
> - Show quoted text -
I often wish I had one of those computer programmes you see on TV
where they get a photo of a child and flash forward 40 years to show
what they will look like as an adult. It would be interesting to do
that to Barry and compare the difference ( if any) to what he could
have looked like to what he does look like now. It could end the
plastic surgery questiion once and for all. Maybe!
IreneH