Barry Manilow Says He Is NOT Taking His Music Off Spotify, Despite Rumors

Singer Barry Manilow said that he has no plans to remove his music from the Spotify streaming platform.

The news comes after "Harvest Moon" singer Neil Young asked for other artists to stand in solidarity with him against the streaming service after Spotify refused to regulate COVID-19 misinformation on Joe Rogan's podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience."

In early January, hundreds of medical professionals, scientists, and researchers signed an open letter asking Spotify to stop “mass-information events” and monitor COVID-19 misinformation being spread on its platform.

The open letter asked Spotify to “establish a clear and public policy to moderate misinformation on its platform” and named Rogan's podcast as an example of “broadcasting misinformation, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.”

When Spotify didn’t take any action against Joe Rogan, “Heart of Gold” singer Neil Young decided to step in.

Young wrote an open letter to Spotify, asking them to step in and start policing COVID-19 misinformation on its platform for the protection of the public.

“Spotify has recently become a very damaging force via its public misinformation and lies about COVID,” he wrote.

“I realized I could not continue to support Spotify’s life-threatening misinformation to the music-loving public,” he continued. Although he said the move would be a “huge loss” for his record company, he felt that it was necessary.

“I truly want to thank the many, many people who have reached out to me thanking me for taking this position — people who are health professionals on the front lines, people who have lost loved ones to COVID or who are worried for their own children and families,” he added. “I have never felt so much love coming from so many.”

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Spotify issued a statement, saying that they were in the process of removing Neil Young’s music from their streaming service.

“We want all the world’s music and audio content to be available to Spotify users,” they said. “With that comes great responsibility in balancing both safety for listeners and freedom for creators.”

“We have detailed content policies in place and we’ve removed over 20,000 podcast episodes related to COVID since the start of the pandemic,” they continued. “We regret Neil’s decision to remove his music from Spotify, but hope to welcome him back soon.”

However, Neil Young seems to have no plans to return to Spotify. Instead, he has been actively trying to get other artists to stand in solidarity against the streaming service until they do something to counter the misinformation. Singer Joni Mitchell has also announced that she plans to stand with Young and remove her music from Spotify as well.

Rumors started swirling that "Copacabana" singer Barry Manilow was about to join the movement and remove his music from Spotify as well.

According to Twitter, Barry Manilow has no plans to remove his music from Spotify, despite the recent rumors.

“I recently heard a rumor about me and Spotify,” he said on Friday. “I don’t know where it started, but it didn’t start with me or anyone who represents me.”

It's unclear where the rumor originated from, but even actress Debra Messing seemed certain that Barry Manilow was leaving Spotify.

In a tweet, Messing wrote, "Thank you @barrymanilow for taking a surefooted step to support science, and protest potentially lethal misinformation disseminated by @Spotify via #JoeRogan. Over 800,000 Americans have DIED in 2 years. LIVES must come before revenue. #Spotifydeleted."

It appears that not all fans were happy to hear that Barry Manilow's music was going to stay on Spotify.

"So you support misinformation?" one user wrote. "Got it."

"What a shame," another added. "We thought you were taking a stand against deadly misinformation."

"Well with all that's going on with Spotify, you would be making the best decision to part ways with them!" another said.

"I hope you consider removing your music from Spotify," another wrote. "[COVID-19] is putting incredible pressure on nurses. The lies that Spotify allows are killing us. #NursesAreNotOkay."

Another added, "Come on, Barry, do the right thing."

At this time, it seems that Barry Manilow's music will continue to stay on Spotify.