Barry Mannilow’s Unusual 1975 Hit

1975 was an interesting year for music in that it was a crossroads of the early days of disco, folk rock, FM or progressive rock and more. Think of it this way, Fleetwood Mac, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Doobie Brothers, Bruce Springsteen, Bad Company, Foreigner and the Grateful Dead are about to explode, while Debbie Boone hits the charts. Here is an odd song that should have never shared the spotlight with hard rock in one year, but did…

“Mandy” was the first big hit from a crooner named Barry Manilow, a singer discovered by Bette Midler in the New York disco/baths scene. The song was originally called “Brandy,” but Clive Davis, the label’s CEO at the time, made Barry change the song title as not to confuse radio listeners with the Looking Glass song “Brandy (you’re such a fine girl)” the hit that was out at the same time.

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