On Feb. 14, Valentine's Day was turned into a massive Barry Manilow love-in when the pop star hit the United Center for the Chicago stop of his "One Last Time" tour.
With a career that has spanned more than 45 years and a track record of 27 platinum albums and 26 top 10 hit singles, it could be assumed that this would be a "greatest-hits" show, but in actuality it was a grand celebration of the man and his music.
The show got off to a big start when out saxophonist and cookie king ( Cookies for a Koz ) Dave Koz took the stage and tore through a torrid set that peaked with his call-and-response cover of The Beatles' "Got to get You into My Life" with an arrangement inspired by Earth, Wind and Fire.
The nearly SRO crowd was on its feet when Manilow appeared accompanied with a full band ( with a full-time pianist behind the keys who allowed Manilow to stay front and center ) and a trio of back-up singers for a disco-spiced version of "Could It be Magic?" and a strong reading of "It's a Miracle."
Between songs, Manilow displayed a saucy wit reminiscent of his old musical partner Bette Midler when he commented that the weather was "tits-cold." After thanking his audience for braving the weather, he joked, "With it being Valentine's Day, I expect a lot of nuzzling and fondling before the night is over." None of that took place right away as Manilow had his adoring audience singing along on a raucous but sincere "Can't Smile Without You."