Las Vegas Weekly

October 1, 2009 · 7:28 AM

Unraveling the Barry Manilow and Wayne Brady rumors

By Robin Leach

Barry Manilow at the Clio Awards.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Rumors of Barry Manilow departing from the Las Vegas Hilton aren’t new to Vegas DeLuxe readers. When I talked with the singer-songwriter on May 20, Barry said that he didn’t know if his expiring contract at the Hilton would be renewed, but he did say that if terms couldn’t be agreed on, he wanted to stay on in Las Vegas. (Click HERE for that exclusive interview with Barry.)

That’s why there also are rumors now that he’ll move onto the Strip, possibly to the currently little-used Theatre des Arts at the Paris Las Vegas.

He told me: “I certainly don’t want to retire. I love Vegas, and I don’t want to go anywhere else. Retirement is a dirty word, and I’ve got much more to give and do.”

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Robin Leach interviews Barry Manilow.

Barry, who celebrated his 66th birthday in early June, has recorded 42 albums, with sales approaching 100 million worldwide and two new albums already recorded for release. As this story develops over the next couple of weeks, we’ll keep a close eye on his possible jump to a new showroom.

Wayne Brady

Incidentally, there’s been a lot of confusion about comedian Wayne Brady trying to hold down two shows at once in competing Strip resorts: his new Let’s Make a Deal at the Tropicana and his long-running Making It Up at The Venetian.

Photo: Kwaku Alston

Wayne Brady.

So after I’d questioned the grueling schedule and asked if rumors were true that he would give up one or the other, here’s the statement from his representative:

“Due to vocal strains, Wayne Brady has decided to postpone his show Making It Up for all of October at The Venetian to give his singing voice a rest. He will continue to shoot Let’s Make a Deal at the Tropicana, but will return to The Venetian in November where his show will continue through September 2010.”

Click HERE for our Senior Editor John Katsilometes’ story posted last night.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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