Barry Manilow spotted shopping on Yorkville Ave. in Toronto in between two sold-out concerts.
June 11, 2008
(June 7-08) Barry Manilow made a stop in Toronto over the weekend to play a couple of sold-out shows at the Air Canada Centre. It’s been almost a decade since Barry had made a personal appearance in the city.
Between shows during the day, Barry ventured out from his hotel on Yorkville Ave. for some sights and sounds of the city but was quickly recognized by a growing number of people. Mr. Manilow soon grew tired of the autograph and photo requests.
There was freaking women, going crazy at the mere sight of him. I couldn’t believe the ’street cred’ he was getting. I also couldn’t believe his height…he’s like 6′2 or 6′3. Everyone on the patios were yelling out to him, and little children were running up and having him sign paper. As soon as he saw ‘merch’ he shut down, and told us (pros) to get lost. In 12 years, I must say it ranks as the most recognized I’ve ever seen a celeb walking the streets. He was getting it from all angles…people on patios, people in cars, people on the street, and the entourage of giddy 20-somethings chasing him with their camera phones. IT REALLY HELPED TO ARTICULATE THE NOTION OF “Celebrity”…WERE THESE GIRLS CHASING BARRY BECAUSE OF HIS MUSIC OR BECAUSE HE’S A FAMOUS FACE? After all, these days all you need is a shred of recognition and you’re on your way to reality tv / tabloid superstardom.
“Manilow looked like an old, botoxed jewish man with a bad spray tan.”
- a witness to seeing Manilow on Yorkville.