Barry Manilow writes the songs, but his family would prefer he didn't write his own history. In particular they'd prefer he didn't tell people he's actually the son of an Irishman. That's right, Manilow is actually half Irish.
A born and raised New Yorker, most fans know Manilow was brought up by his mother Edna and his Russian immigrant Jewish grandparents. But few know he is actually half-Irish.
The truth is, Manilow's late father was a man called Harold Kelliher, an Irish truck driver. Being poor and not Jewish, Kelliher had two strikes against him and was a persona non grata in the Manilow family. Their objections to his lowly status was a bit rich, Manilow told the Irish Independent this week, as their own background was 'beneath humble.'
'The fact that Harold was an Irish truck-driver was hidden from the family,' Manilow told the Irish Independent. 'It was considered a terrible thing for my mother to have done. They wouldn't even allow my name to be Kelliher. They changed it immediately. When I was born, I was called Barry Pincus. They had to dig deep into my father's family to find one Jewish relative. They went back to the 1800s and they found one uncle, a Jewish guy called Pincus. My mother made my father change his name to Pincus.
'Right now it sounds stupid but back then they thought that having a Jewish son was the most important thing. To me, it means nothing. As a matter of fact, it would have been interesting if my name was Barry Kelliher and if I was raised half-Irish and half-Jewish, but I wasn't. The Irish part of me did not exist. It was gone and forgotten.'
Manilow's parents divorced when he was still a baby and he was known as Barry Pincus until his grandfather brought him to have his surname changed legally to their family name Manilow.
The grandparents played an instrumental role in rearing Barry, lavishing him with love and all the while telling him that his biological father was 'a monster father.'
'That's what I was told, and also that I shouldn't have anything to do with him,' he says. 'I don't think he was a monster father at all.' There is a touch of tenderness in his tone as he recalls him. 'I think he was a good guy. He tried to get in touch with me, but they wouldn't let him in my world.'
As a boy one day walking in Brooklyn he heard a man call his name. Something familiar about his looks made Manilow connect his face to the one stray photo of his father he had seen.
'It was my 11th birthday. He handed me a tape recorder and ran away and got back into his truck. I didn't see him for many, many years after that. They just would not allow me to have anything to do with him.'
They met only one time later.
'He came backstage after a show - a quick conversation. He kept trying to get into my life, but it was just too late, too late,' Manilow sighs.
Another Irish truck driver named Willie Murphy came into his mother’s life and the pair spent a lot of their time drinking, but the relationship was not a destructive one.
Manilow says he listened to and was inspired by Murphy's Irish record collection and, later when he became his stepfather, both he and and his mother clubbed together to buy the boy a piano. It cost $800 and took five years to pay off but they loved him and they believed in his talent.
'They did a great thing,' he says.
Barry Manilow singing his world famous song "Mandy":
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.YoungPike | Jun 12, 2012, 09:55 AM EDT
If we eventually make contact with extraterrestrials,and we ply them with drink, I wonder how long it will be before they claim Irish heritage!
jb66ss396 | May 25, 2012, 01:32 AM EDT
Good call wdwrkr371. I thought Bythe bay was English with telling me to move on from the past and then on another post attacking America. He is a good of example of the English trying to cover up the hideous worldwide rampage history and not having the decency to apologize. I want every history book to be corrected by deleting the words Potatoe famine and replacing it with "English induced genocide on the Irish". In addition, the period prior to the "English induced genocide on the Irish" was the decades long kidnapping of millions of Irish by the English to be sold into the slave trade. This is not to be found in most history books and needs to be added. Queen Elizabeth 1 sanctioned this dispicable act where hundreds of thousands of families were divided up after being sold off in slavery never to see other family members again. Most of the Irish slaves were shipped off to brutal climates that they were not used to and many died of heat prostation and disease/malnutrition. This was done to keep the Irish population at bay and made the English very wealthy. Reparations are in order. The English committed atrocities in every country worldwide they colonized (a nice word for we're stealing your raw material and enslaving your people).
EamonnDublin | May 24, 2012, 08:05 AM EDT
Hi "RedBranch" - The Good Friday agreement allows for automatic British citizenship of persons born in Northern Ireland (the "Six Counties"). As the Republic of Ireland is a sovereign nation, it's citizens cannot automatically also be citizens of another sovereign nation. One can, of course, apply for citizenship of any other country, but in order to be successful one has to fulfill the requirements necessary for success in that application. I trust this answers the question? By the way, For the purpose of my answer, in my use of the term "sovereign nation", I am totally ignoring the fact that countries within the European Community are subject to decisions of the European Court - which, of course, dilutes "sovereignty"). That's for another day and would lead to World War 3 ..... and 4, 5, 6 and 7 on these pages! Best Wishes, Éamonn, Dublin.
wdwrkr371 | May 23, 2012, 10:03 PM EDT
Bythebay you don't belong on this board go find an Englishcentral to be part of, on here talking out your arse rubbing salt in the wound of the one thing we from are Ireland are still very conflicted over, through the good friday agreement we try to put our divisions aside even though we have to push feelings deep down, and you on here constantly provoking every day waving a union jack in our face has the opposite affect of sowing peace.Stop please we now know your position so stop please.
jacersagain | May 23, 2012, 06:43 PM EDT
RedBranch - Pardon me jumping in here with this official answer. The Minister for Foreign Affairs was asked “if (inter alia, pursuant to the bilateral GFA) he will identify all avenues to British citizenship that are open to the Irish citizen” (Dáil Éireann “Written Answers, 19th January 2010”): The Minister’s reply was “The (Good Friday) Agreement does not in itself confer citizenship upon any person. Rather, it binds the (Irish and British) Governments to continue to recognise the British and Irish citizenship entitlements of the people of Northern Ireland (including in the event of any future change of status) and further, to continue to recognise dual citizenship for such persons. [My aside: there is no reciprocal reference to Irish citizens having a dual right to British citizenship in the GFA]. Eligibility for British citizenship is a matter for the relevant British authorities and questions relating to British citizenship should be addressed to them.” I doubt that would bother Barry Manilow at all, atall atall.
Scrivner | May 23, 2012, 06:29 PM EDT
cillowen, minor point , the plural of goy is goyem which refers to any non-Jew whether Irish, Kenyan or Japanese. Let us take the right lesson from this story, bigotry can leave scars, but healing can come about if one tries. It looks like Barry Mnilow tried and succeeded beautifully.
RedBranch | May 23, 2012, 04:01 PM EDT
Eamonn help me out here I believed, perhaps wrongly, that as a result of the Good Friday / Belfast Agreement 1999 all Irish citizens were entitled to apply for UK citizenship. Something about parity of esteem. Am I correct?
abhainn | May 23, 2012, 03:16 PM EDT
Yardleypa, I am not a fan of Barry Manilow either but "Copacabana" is a superb dancing song. While I don't think Manilow wove in any Great Famine motifs into the number, I am confident some of the creative, hurting souls here can jemmy some references to potato blight into the conversation.
citizen69 | May 23, 2012, 12:10 PM EDT
Jesus... even in a story about Barry Manilow people can still bring up the famine & the Brits! :-/
MeganSmolenyak | May 23, 2012, 09:56 AM EDT
garbo55 - his father was half-Irish, not full - that's what I meant about him being slightly confused
EamonnDublin | May 23, 2012, 05:07 AM EDT
Such a lot of anti-British and anti-American undiluted hatred on the board. Some of you just turn any subject into a hate-rant. I really would hate to have to come home to YOU in the evening - all foam at the mouth and glazed eyes, screaming "yiz are ALL terrorists" (except the REAL terrorists, OF COURSE!). Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
EamonnDublin | May 23, 2012, 04:59 AM EDT
"JacersAgain" You say that I am correct only "up to a small point" when I say that "CitizenWhy" is incorrect in his statement that "all Irish citizens are automatically British citizens". You then go on to explain, correctly, that all Irish citizens BORN BEFORE 1949 are entitled to opt for British citizenship. By extrapolation, that very obviously means that all Irish citizens born after 1949 are NOT British citizens. All born after 1949! And you call that "a small point"!?! The actual regulations are quite complicated, in that individual cases require study and that is the reason I did not elaborate in my original statement - which was that the statement of "Citizen"Why" is incorrect. It IS incorrect. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
IrishAndProud | May 23, 2012, 12:20 AM EDT
In Jewish culture, the mother's line carries the Jewish identity. That means if a person's mother is Jewish (even if the father is not), that person is considered Jewish; if it's the reverse, then that person is NOT considered Jewish (unless they undergo a formal conversion, just like a total non-Jew would do). It's been this way for centuries, I believe.
EphraimKibbey | May 22, 2012, 08:27 PM EDT
I wonder if his mother's parents were as concerned with his father being Irish as they were with him being not Jewish. Jewish families are often very protective of their culture as you can well understand.
Bythebay | May 22, 2012, 06:46 PM EDT
The US is actually the biggest terrorist country in the world.The US killed more people than any other, just some include civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kosovo, Vietnam, Laos, Lebanon,Libya, Korea, Japan - where you murdered and scarred millions with your A bombs..... You're the terrorists.
garbo55 | May 22, 2012, 06:11 PM EDT
Magensmolenyak you are wrong if his father is one hundred percent Irish then he would be half Irish and before you bring in the jewish member on his fathers side of the family, he is more than likely an uncle by marriage and not a blood relative...
Yardleypa | May 22, 2012, 05:40 PM EDT
Irish or Jew does not matter I never thought that he was much a talent nor would I buy his music.
Bythebay | May 22, 2012, 04:24 PM EDT
Those born in Ireland before 1949 have the option to claim British Subject status, not British citizenship.
hyattsville | May 22, 2012, 04:14 PM EDT
Goodness. Some of you act like the Irish are the only ones allowed have prejudices. If you’re not Irish you’re not allowed be a bigot is that it? Sad story nonetheless.
Bythebay | May 22, 2012, 04:12 PM EDT
jb66ss396 Ireland and the United Kingdom enjoy an excellent relationship today. Carrying on such animosity is pointless. There are 8.5 million Americans who go hungry every day, a far more immediate problem to be solved. That would be more constructive than useless hatred for real or imagined actions of centuries ago. Time to move into the 21st Century as Ireland has.
MeganSmolenyak | May 22, 2012, 03:32 PM EDT
He's actually slightly confused about his family tree. While he's part-Irish, he's one-quarter, not a half.
chicksooze | May 22, 2012, 03:23 PM EDT
Manilow's family have some nerve, they need to look in their own back yard before they're shamed by an Irish man. They are self righteous, dirty, sneaky people.
chicksooze | May 22, 2012, 03:19 PM EDT
citizenwhy - totally WRONG. Irish citizens are not automatically brit citizens, total BS. jb66ss396 - spot on. Especially your last sentence.
jacersagain | May 22, 2012, 02:30 PM EDT
@ CitizenWhy – EamonnDublin is correct up to a small point to say that you are wrong to say that every Irish citizen is automatically a British citizen. Irish people born before 1949 can apply for a British passport and thus be a British Citizen but those born after that year cannot. Up to 1948, the 26 counties (Éire) was part of the British Commonwealth. In 1949, the 26 counties declared itself a Republic and left the British Commonwealth. However, anyone born in any year in Northern Ireland, though still part of the UK and British Commonwealth, can apply for an Irish passport and is regarded as an Irish citizen by the Govt of the Republic. Next time Mr. Manilow is in Dublin or Belfast, I’d be interested to see, if he sought an Irish passport, how far he would get via his alleged Irish natural father. All the paper proofs would be required as evidence.
jb66ss396 | May 22, 2012, 01:06 PM EDT
There was no benefit to being a Brit citizen. Prior to the "famine" the Bristish, sanctioned by QE 1 took millions of Irish and sold them as slaves for decades. The famine was a rewrite of history which would embarrass the English. What actually happened was England was concerned that Irelands population was at its all time high of 8 million and that the Irish could fight back the English. The English forcibly went into Ireland and stole all means of their food supply including livestock and crops. The potatoe stayed as it was a below ground vegetable. Does anyone think that the Irish lived solely on the potatoe prior to the thievery of the British. The British are actually the biggest terrorist country the world's hisory has ever known including rogue countries like Iran, North Korea. etc...
EamonnDublin | May 22, 2012, 12:10 PM EDT
"CitizenWhy" - When you say that "every Irish citizen is also automatically a British citizen", you are not correct. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
CitizenWhy | May 22, 2012, 11:14 AM EDT
donal1951 .. Perhaps I should not say this here, but every Iroish citizen is also automatically a British ciotizen. This predates the EU, and Irish people who are citizens of Britain enjoy benefits that citizens of other EU countries do not, such as attending British universities at the in-country rate. The universities in the UK are far cheaper than in the US. I have know Americans with Irish citizenship who have gotten degrees at excellent British universities without incurring huge debts.
Skibberrean | May 22, 2012, 11:04 AM EDT
No wonder he can sing and compose well!!! Tis the Irish in him!
hunter933 | May 22, 2012, 10:41 AM EDT
His mother apparently liked Irish truck drivers. What does he mean he had no Irish upbringing. His Irish step father bought him a piano. Who paid for the lessons? Interesting story. He should expand some day.
donal1951 | May 22, 2012, 10:40 AM EDT
I wonder if Barry Manilow knows if his father, or his father's parents, were born in Ireland, he is an Irish citizen. I did not know that until I was in my 30s and neither did my father. Since my father was born in Ireland, I was an Irish citizen by birth. I had to prove my father's heritage to the Irish consulate in Washington, D.C., where I was living at the time. They sent me a letter acknowledging my citizenship, and provided me with a passport application. Since then, I keep a valid Irish and a valid USA passports. I doubt the consulates could take the time as they did during the 1980s as the demand for Irish passports has risen greatly and they are much busier. Still, they are always pleasant to deal with.
SeamusMor | May 22, 2012, 10:39 AM EDT
The Jews, conquered and enslaved by Nebuchadrezzar in the 6th century before Christ, were later expelled from Babylon because they were considered intolerably self righteous and deceitful. Sound familiar?
abhainn | May 22, 2012, 10:09 AM EDT
So where was Harold Kelliher born in Ireland? The village will have a field day (no Irish American is ever from Dublin, for some reason).