Liz Taylor's 'Beautiful' Letter to Kennedy Center Floors Barry Manilow

By Rob Shuter Posted Mar 25th 2011 10:57PM

Elizabeth Taylor loved and honored her friends and tried her best to get them the recognition she felt they deserved. Illustrating this bond is a new, never-before-seen letter the Dame sent to the board of trustees at the Kennedy Center on behalf of her great friend Barry Manilow.

On beautiful lilac stationary, with her name embossed at the top in purple, Taylor eloquently wrote that Barry was deserving of the Kennedy Center Honors because he created "the soundtrack of our lives" and is a genius who "cranks out hits at a dizzying pace." She also lavished him with praise for courageously standing with her to fight for AIDS/HIV funding back when the "stigma of AIDS was great."

Barry had no idea his friend had lobbied on his behalf until the letter was released following her death on Wednesday. "I had no idea about this letter. It's just unbelievable," he tells me. "This is so beautiful."

Read the full letter below:

Dear Gentlepersons,

I have the good fortune to count among my friends an extraordinary man, a man whose talents have touched so many hearts and whose heart has touched so many lives. That man is Barry Manilow.

One of the greatest names in popular music, this prolific singer-songwriter-performer has created the soundtrack for our lives. Ever since he first took the stage in the 1970, he has proved himself to be an unstoppable showman, a true musical genius who cranks out hits at a dizzying pace. His songs are as well known as Beatles tunes, and its impossible not to sing along. I'm truly a fan.

And then there's his work as a humanitarian: Barry is tireless in pursuit of his charitable endeavors, which include raising funds and awareness for The Prince's Trust, United Way, The Starlight Foundation, The Foundation Fighting Blindness, and for many HIV-AIDS organizations, for which he holds a special place in my heart. I will always remember back to the early days of my fundraising work, when the stigma of AIDS was so great. I was seeking talent to perform at our first benefit event, and was receiving nothing but rejections--until Barry alone had the courage to come forward and say "yes".

Barry has established The Manilow Fund For Health And Hope, which supports education, health and care efforts locally, and the Manilow Music Project, which supports musical equipment to local schools whose art programs have been eliminated. It is Barry's feverent belief that music changes lives: I know he's changed mine with his enormous talent.

I can think of no one more deserving of a Kennedy Center Honor than Barry Manilow, and hope you will accept this letter of nomination and support. Thank you in advance for your kind consideration.

Sincerely,

(Signed in her own hand in ink matching the color of her raised letterhead) Elizabeth Taylor.

Dame Liz was honored by the Center in 2002 and since then was given the elite opportunity to nominate individuals. So far, Barry has not been tapped for the award. Last year's recipients included Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey.

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Tags: Barry Manilow, Elizabeth Taylor, Kennedy Center Honors

Comments

(63)

Friday 25 March

By Susan

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This warms my heart...

Saturday 26 March

By stu

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Barry is a superior version of simpleton jimmy buffet.

By derob

I have always liked Liz Taylor as an artist...she brought joy to a lot of people....Barry Manilow is not a good songwriter....he might be a nice guy and I am sure he has brought joy to a lot of people too....as an artist, he is schlock...my opinion.

By franbee57

Glad to see that Elizabeth had such great taste in music and people. Those of you who, after all these years still feel the need to bash Barry, all I can say is it's old and you need to get a life. He's a fabulous entertainer and humanitarian. Get over yourselves already.

By DIANE

HE IS VERY TALENTED...DON'T AGREE WITH YOU...ALL DEPENDS HOW OLD YOU ARE TOO.....

By danny

As a writer,you are pretty much right about Barry. His biggest hits were written by others,and about 30% of his recordings are remakes of other peoples stuff. However,during the 70s he put out a few decent tunes stuff that helped define the era. Now when the 80s came,boy did he suck!!!!!!

By Drew

Right. And Merle Haggard is a genius.

Monday 04 April

By beatledonny

when was the last big hit song you wrote derob? what a jerk you are! dont you know barry writes the songs that make the whole world sing!!!

By fiona

Barry would be every bit as deserving as Oprah, but there are others still more deserving.

By Mary

Barry has always been one of my favs. Saw him in concert a couple of years ago. He puts on a great show.

By MO

Are you trying to impress somebody with your word schlock, (something of cheap or inferior quality.) Put it in layman's terms.Barry is a very talented individual. I don't catch your drift where he is cheap or inferior, and I sure don't understand your thinking.

By Debbie

Totally disagree. the Man is one of the most talented performers and songwriters to grace any stage. He should be nominated and honored ASAP.

Many have had this honor and not deserved it. This man does.

By BLACKWELLSMITH

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Thank goodness it is, just YOUR opinion!

By New York

Really???? Barry probably wrote some of the songs your favorite recording artist sings. Just sayin.

By creepycrawlycats

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derob....you must be really bored.

By sunni

There should be a petition posted for all to sign...he is a wonderful man......and sings like an angel

By doneldathomas

BEAUTIFUL!!! R.I.P!!!

By Carol

Barry Manilow definitely deserves the Kennedy Center honors. He's an amazing songwriter....not just for himself but for other artists. He has sold out all of his shows no matter where they are in this world. He's been on top since 1970. That, in itself, deserves recognition. I hope they will consider him! He's amazing in my opinion!!

By Al

One of the few concerts I went to with my ex...he was absolutely great...and people need to realize they hum and sing his "songs" everyday... Like "You deserve a break today", and the doublemint gum jingle... Two of so many including songs that were in top 10...

By Sue

oUR LOCAL PAPER HAD A WONDERFUL CARTOON TO HONOR ELIZABETH TAYLOR. THERE WAS A DRAWING, IN THE CLOUDS, OF THAT MARVELOUS FACE. THEN THERE WAS A FLAGPOLE WITH A FLAG ON IT SAYING, "HOLLYWOOD" AND THE FLAG WAS FLYING....AT HALF STAFF...IT WAS FANTASTIC!! JUST LIKE THE LADY IT HONORED.

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