In 1972, Manilow reached a turning point in his career when he was asked to fill in as house pianist in the showroom of the Continental Baths, a gay club in New York City. One of the singers he backed was the then-unknown Bette Midler. Soon after, Manilow became her musical director, arranger, and pianist. Together they put together demo tapes and eventually she signed with Atlantic Records.
In 1973, after working on Midler's first two albums, Manilow signed his...