LOS ANGELES – 11/05/2017 12:00:06 PM [RAW]
Veteran singer Barry Manilow says coming out publicly as gay was a ‘beautiful experience,’ as he was honoured for his long-standing career in the music industry.
Manilow, 73, spoke about being gay for the first time last month, saying he feared he would have disappointed his mostly female fan base had he come out decades ago.
‘I didn’t know what was going to happen … but I should have known better because my fans, and frankly the public, they care about my happiness and I have always known that,’ the singer said on Tuesday.
He added in the past month he has received thousands of ‘beautiful and encouraging’ notes from fans.
Manilow was speaking prior to this week’s BMI Awards, hosted by the music rights management group Broadcast Music Inc, where he received the Icon Award marking his decades of success in the US music industry.
His hits over the years include romantic ballads like ‘Mandy’ and ‘Looks Like We Made It’.
Singer Lisa Loeb praised Manilow at the event for speaking openly about being gay.
‘I think that is such a great inspiration for so many people,’ she said.
Manilow released a new album in April – This Is My Town: Songs Of New York.
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