Another Sign of the End-times: Barry Manilow has #1 album in US

[JCMach1]

Singer Barry Manilow has topped the US album charts for the first time in nearly 29 years.

The Greatest Songs of the Fifties sold 156,000 copies in the week ending 5 February.

The album features songs such as Unchained Melody and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.

Manilow said: "I've had some pretty amazing experiences in my career, but this one tops them all... if you live long enough, anything is possible!"

'Historic'

His only previous album chart topper was the double LP Live, in July 1977. Manilow's last album, Scores: Songs From Copacabana and Harmony, peaked at number 47 in 2004... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4697016.stm

[Robeson]

1. Hell has frozen over....

...hell, he even agrees it's wacky. That says it all.

[JCMach1]

2. Don't get me wrong, that 'Copacabana' was one crazy song

but 'Mandy' is like having an icepick gouged through your ear-socket... :banghead:

[KyndCulture]

3. Saddle up the horseman...

[peekaloo]

4. Symbolic for the Bu$h era.

Peachy keen.

[graywarrior]

5. It was like this in 1960. Hope something happens soon to shake

things up. No wonder I listen to American Idiot over and over and over.

[HughBeaumont]

6. Better Manilow than some shitbad modern rapper or country artist.

And yes, I AM one of these bitter music snobs that

a) thinks that they just don't write and produce 'em like they used to (and, because of Manilow's ascension with 50s-60s tunes, thinks I may not be alone in that sentiment),
b) thinks that all of the best music is found underground,
c) is pissed about rock being shoved in the background in favor of modern rap (which has gotten worse and worse each year since 1994) and modern country (see "modern rap", only replace "1994" with "mid-80s"),
d) is slowly becoming a fan of satellite radio, if only they'd have a channel that focuses on unsigned bands.

[JCMach1]

7. Bad is bad whatever the source

:puke:

[Benfea]

8. The top 40 charts have always been pure crap.

How else do you explain the careers of ABBA?

[Tom_Foolery]

9. Good for him...

I was a Top 40 jock many years ago, and I had the chance to see him in concert. He puts on a good show.

[LoZoccolo]

11. Great voice, too.

I think people from my generation diss Barry Manilow because he was popular with adults when we were kids. That's probably all it is. I certainly don't hear people criticizing his ability to carry a tune or anything.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. Spookily, it's at exactly the same time as Leo Sayer

who is effectively the British equivalent of Barry Manilow, looks set to get his first British number one single in 29 years ...

Seventies pop star Leo Sayer could have a number one hit on his hands, 29 years after he last topped the UK chart.

A dance remix of his 1977 record, Thunder In My Heart, is expected to make the top three at least, following its release on Monday.

The original single only made it to number 22, although his ballad When I Need You took the number one spot earlier that year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4688754.stm

[MrSlayer]

12. Well it just shows that only oldsters are still buying cds.

All the young people are downloading what they want.