Legendary singer and songwriter Barry Manilow has returned with What a Time, his first studio album in 15 years, released on 5 June 2026 and paired with a slate of concert dates stretching across the year.
For one of the best-selling adult-contemporary artists of all time, the album marks a notable comeback to original recording after years dominated by live shows and his long-running Las Vegas residency. At a stage in his career when many peers have long since retired, Manilow continues to write, record and tour, defying the expectations that usually attach to artists of his vintage.
A new chapter for a hitmaker
Manilow built his reputation on a string of soft-rock standards that defined 1970s radio, from sweeping ballads to irresistibly catchy pop. What a Time arrives as both a nod to that legacy and a statement that he is far from finished, a record aimed squarely at the devoted audience that has followed him for half a century.
- His first album of new studio material in 15 years.
- Released on 5 June 2026 to coincide with renewed touring.
- A continuation of a career spanning more than five decades.
- A reminder of his enduring appeal to multiple generations of fans.
Few artists of his era have sustained such a consistent connection with their audience. Where many legacy acts now rely almost entirely on nostalgia, Manilow's decision to release fresh material signals a continuing creative ambition rather than a simple victory lap.
Back on the road
The release accompanies a run of tour dates throughout 2026, giving longtime fans the chance to hear new material alongside the hits that made him a household name. Manilow's enduring live appeal has kept him a fixture on the concert circuit even as musical fashions have shifted around him, and his shows remain a reliable draw across the country, blending warmth, showmanship and an easy rapport with the crowd.
A summer of returns
Manilow is not alone in choosing June 2026 for a comeback. The month has proved unusually busy for veteran acts, with the prog-rock institution Yes issuing its 24th studio album, Aurora, and Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs releasing Mission of Mercy, featuring guest contributions from the B-52's Kate Pierson and a band that includes fellow Heartbreakers alumnus Steve Ferrone.
For Manilow, though, the headline is simple: after a decade and a half away from the studio, one of pop's great survivors has something new to say, and a tour lined up to prove it. The album is a testament to a performer who has never quite been ready to take his final bow, and who still relishes the chance to put new songs in front of the audiences that have stayed loyal for so long.