Barry Manilow belts ballads and classics at final concert in metro Atlanta

In turn, fans (or, in this case, “Fanilows”) indicated he was well worth the wait. Tuesday’s show featured a delightful array of hits, storytelling and showmanship that kept the crowd on their feet for one last time — which says a lot for a concert that seemed unlikely to occur.

Last year, following a lung cancer diagnosis, Manilow postponed a string of his tour dates while recovering from surgery. Tuesday’s show was initially slated for April. Last week, Manilow canceled an already rescheduled Kentucky concert right before showtime because of “unforeseen circumstances.”

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess/For the

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess/For the

So, when Manilow (wearing a white suit jacket over a black shirt and slacks), stepped on stage at 8:16 p.m., his presence felt nearly unbelievable. It was fitting, then, that he opened the show with his 1974 pop hit “It’s a Miracle.”

Though the song’s up-tempo grooves pleased the Gen X and baby boomer crowd, it appeared he might have lip-synced the single. But that didn’t distract the audience from waving the green glow sticks they received upon entering the venue.

For “I’m Your Man,” a disco jam released nearly a decade after the opening song, Manilow flaunted a few dance moves with his background singers and band. The footwork was simple enough to woo the audience, but Manilow wore a worried look on his face throughout the song.

“I’m too old for this,” he joked.

He immediately traded his humility for a dash of the pizzazz that’s carried his artistry across six decades.

“The first time we played here in Atlanta was in 1974,” he told the crowd. “That means we’ve known each other for 52 years, and I still look fabulous.”

For nearly an hour and 30 minutes, Manilow’s Duluth show served as a proper goodbye — mixing ballads, No. 1 hits, covers and anecdotes that celebrated his Grammy-, Emmy- and Tony-winning career.

The ballads emerged as Manilow’s finest work. With “Somewhere in the Night,” his amorous lines crescendoed into final high notes met with a standing ovation. Another arrived at the end of “This One’s for You” (performed on piano), which Manilow dedicated to his grandpa, the first to recognize his musical talent. He thanked him for also being the first to lead his first standing ovation at Carnegie Hall, following the success of his No. 1 hit “Mandy.”

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess/For the

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess/For the

Preceding a performance of that song was a clip of the late Clive Davis (shown on a small screen onstage), describing a younger Manilow as the “newest star for America.” But Manilow only played part of “Mandy,” which seemed insufficient for a career-defining hit.

The crowd gave another standing ovation to Top 10 hit “Weekend in New England.”

“Will you come on the road with me and be my permanent audience?” he asked.

Later, Manilow performed other hits like “Could It Be Magic” (which Donna Summer transformed into a hit) and “I Write the Songs.” During a brief interlude, Manilow awarded a $10,000 grant to local music teacher Quentin Goins of Stephenson High School. The donation was part of his Manilow Music Project, which helps fund music education across the country (he gave similar donations during other stops on the tour).

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess/For the

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess/For the

Manilow, donning a purple suit with colorful, ruffled sleeves, closed the show with “Copacabana,” the quintessential showman anthem that became a classic.

Tuesday’s concert became a worthy celebration of a singer whose 25 consecutive Top 40 hits helped shape pop music in the 1970s and early 1980s — regardless of how long one may have waited to see him do it once more. Manilow’s joy in doing it all matched that of his unyielding fans.

“Thank you for all the years of fun and music,” he told the crowd before party streamers erupted from the stage.