Barry Manilow Becomes Doctor at Final Detroit Show

He's not qualified to offer medical advice, but you can now call Barry Manilow “Dr. Manilow.”

The music icon wrapped up his farewell concert in Detroit with a surprise honor when he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music Education degree during his performance at Little Caesars Arena.

Barry Manilow has been making music for more than 50 years and has sold a remarkable 85 million albums. He's had 52 Top-40 hits, including 13 number one singles, and has won more awards than we care to count. He truly has written the songs that have made the whole world sing.

🎓 Why Barry Manilow Was Honored With a Doctorate

But the honor bestowed upon Manilow Tuesday night in Detroit is truly one of a kind.

"My mother always wanted me to be a doctor," Manilow quipped as he received the honor Tuesday night (6/3) at LCA. "She would be so proud!"

🎶 Who Gave Manilow His Surprise Degree?

As Manilow closed out his Detroit concert, six faculty members from Chicago's VanderCook College of Music, dressed in caps and gowns, presented him with an honorary Doctor of Music Education degree.

VanderCook President Kimberly Farris said the award recognized "your enduring dedication to music education," adding that it "resonates deeply with our mission."

💸 How the Manilow Music Project Supports Schools

According to Billboard, the degree salutes the Manilow Music Project. The iconic singer spent $10 million during the last 15 years supplying musical instruments to schools and honoring music educators.

As he accepted the degree Tuesday, Manilow put on his own cap and gown and proclaimed, "VanderCook College stands for everything I believe in. Their commitment to music teachers and my passion for getting playable instruments for young people go hand in hand. That’s why it really speaks to me."

🏫 Detroit’s Cass Tech Teacher Gets $10K Grant

Manilow also presented a $10,000 grant to a teacher from Detroit's Cass Technical High School while he was in town for the show.

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Our Top 16 Songs That Mention Michigan in the Lyrics

Right off the top of your head, you can think of two or three songs that mention Michigan or Michigan cities in the Lyrics, right?

But we decided to dig a little deeper and came up with 16 songs that mention the Mitten State. Surprisingly, Michigan-born artists like Stevie Wonder and Madonna don't make the list, but Bob Seger has a whopping three songs that make mention of his home state.

Let us know if there are any essential Michigan songs that need to be included.

Gallery Credit: George McIntyre

Take a Peek Inside Eminem's Oakland County Mansion

At one time, this mansion was known as the Kmart Mansion because it was owned by the CEO of Kmart before it was purchased by Eminem in 2003. The rapper lived in this house in Oakland County as recently as 2017 and has since purchased another beautiful home in Clinton Township.

The furniture inside the 17,500 sq. foot crib isn't Eminem's, but the outside pictures are reported to be older photos, so yes, we are led to believe the cars did belong to Mr. Mathers.

Gallery Credit: George McIntyre

25 Famous People Born in Good Ole Flint, Michigan

A list of 25 famous figures that were born in Flint, Michigan.

Source: Music Legend Awarded Honorary Degree During Final Detroit Show

Categories: Michigan News