Barry Manilow superfan banned over wig
A Barry Manilow fan has been banned from meeting his idol because his wig and jacket were deemed an insult to the music star.
Superfan Wayne Denton, 69, from the UK, spent an eye-popping £2,400 on VIP tickets to a concert in Liverpool and a post-show meeting with the music icon – but ultimately left feeling disappointed.
Wayne, who organized a Manilow tribute called Celebrating Barry and had previously met the American superstar, told The Sun newspaper: “I’m humiliated. It’s a wig I’m wearing partly because I don’t have any hair.”
Footage from the M and S Bank Arena in Liverpool shows Wayne being prevented from attending the meeting by staff.
Staff were heard saying: “We can’t do the wig and jacket. It’s an insult to Barry.”
However, Wayne insisted he was not told the dress code was enforced before entering the arena.
Meanwhile, Manilow recently claimed that he has always been a reluctant entertainer.
The 83-year-old star has had an extremely successful career in the music industry, with hits such as Could It Be Magic, Weekend in New England, Can’t Smile Without You and Copacabana (At the Copa). But Manilow admits he still doesn’t see himself as a singer.
He told the Guardian newspaper: “My first love is not being an artist or even a singer.
“I don’t see myself as a singer; I see myself as a musician. And you know, if this wonderful part of my career hadn’t exploded the way it did, I’d be playing the piano in a bar in Paris and I’d be a really happy man.”
Manilow’s career spans more than 60 years, but he still doesn’t feel comfortable in the spotlight.
He said: “I don’t think I’ve ever really gotten used to it… It’s just not me. I’ve figured out how to do it. And the way to do it is to be honest with this audience. Because I don’t know how not to be honest in that scene.”
