Barry Manilow Announces ‘What a Time’ Album & 2026-27 Tour Dates

LAS VEGAS – Barry Manilow, the enduring pop icon, is set to release his 33rd studio album, What a Time, on June 5, marking his first collection of mostly original material in nearly 15 years. The announcement comes as Manilow, 79, continues to recover from surgery following a December 2025 diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer, Billboard reported.

Produced primarily by Manilow and longtime collaborator Michael Lloyd, What a Time represents a return to new songwriting for an artist whose career stretches back to 1975’s breakthrough album, Barry Manilow II. His previous studio album of mostly original songs, 2011’s 15 Minutes, reached the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming his 15th album to do so.

The new album’s lead single, “Sun Shine,” released ahead of the full album, evokes the sound of Manilow’s 1977 hit “Daybreak,” featuring a whistling break and a simulated vinyl record crackle. Co-written with Gary Barlow of Take That, the song was produced by Manilow, David Benson and Greg Bartheld. The music video for “Sun Shine,” directed by Laís Sambugaro, features a young couple preparing for their day, with Manilow himself not appearing in the visual. Thasis.com details these production choices.

What a Time opens with “Once Before I Go,” co-written by Oscar winners Dean Pitchford and the late Peter Allen, and executive-produced by Manilow’s longtime mentor, Clive Davis. The song, which reached No. 25 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in February, extends Manilow’s more than 51-year run on that chart, dating back to his first charting single, “Mandy,” in November 1974. Manilow filmed a music video for the track at the Westgate Las Vegas, where he continues a record-breaking residency.

The album likewise includes a re-recorded version of “Another Life,” originally featured on his 1991 box set, The Complete Collection and Then Some…. Guest appearances include saxophonist Dave Koz on “Seem at Me Now” and a duet with Sharon “Muffy” Hendrix on “When Somebody Says Goodbye.”

Manilow’s songwriting contributions are extensive, having written or co-written all but two of the album’s 13 tracks. He collaborated with John Bettis on three songs, continuing a partnership that began with 1979’s One Voice. Bruce Sussman, co-writer of Manilow’s signature song “Copacabana (At the Copa)” and his most recent Top 10 hit, “I Made It Through the Rain,” contributed to two tracks, as did Enoch Anderson. Adrienne Anderson is credited on the closing track, “Coming of Age,” and the pair previously co-wrote “Could It Be Magic.”

Production credits are shared between Manilow and Lloyd on nine tracks, with additional production from David Benson, Greg Bartheld, 12-time Grammy winner Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb. The Music Universe reports on the diverse production team assembled for the album.

What a Time will be released through Manilow’s STILETTO Entertainment and distributed by The Orchard. STILETTO has previously released three of Manilow’s last five studio albums.

Alongside the album release, Manilow has announced an extensive U.S. Tour schedule running from April 13, 2026, through January 21, 2027, with 45 additional dates already scheduled as part of his ongoing residency at the International Theater at Westgate Las Vegas. The tour kicks off April 13 at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY.

In April, Manilow is also slated to receive the American Advertising Federation’s President’s Award at the Advertising Hall of Fame induction ceremony, recognizing his early career work composing jingles for brands like State Farm, Band-Aid, and KFC.