STILETTO EntertainmentMusic education is a cause close to Barry Manilow‘s heart, so it’s no wonder he was thrilled to receive an Honorary Fellowship from Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music over the weekend when he performed in the U.K. city.
Barry, 75, was presented with the award from two college officials while onstage. He told the crowd, “They say giving is better than receiving…but not tonight!”
He added, “Honestly, thank you very much. You know how important something like this is to me. Music is my life, has been my life for as long as I can remember and getting something like this from such a prestigious organization is so important to me…thank you for even noticing!”
“Something like this inspires me to keep making more and more and more music for you!” he concluded, as the crowd cheered.
Barry received the fellowship for his “significant contribution to music and the music industry over the past 50 years.”
The Royal Northern College of Music was the first conservatory in the U.K. to offer a four-year degree in Popular Music, and the program is one of the most respected in the world.
Andy Stott, the college’s head of Popular Music, said in a statement, “Barry Manilow is an icon of the pop music industry — not only is he a prolific songwriter, charismatic performer and producer, but he is a truly outstanding musician whose work has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world. I look forward to developing a relationship that will enable him to inspire our students creatively and to make a positive and influential impact on their careers.”
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