Marty Erlichman, Barbra Streisand’s Longtime Manager, Dies at 97
Marty Erlichman, the manager who discovered Barbra Streisand when she was 19 and guided her career for more than 60 years, has died aged 97. His work helped shape Streisand’s rise from a New York nightclub singer into a global star, and she said she would remain grateful for his friendship and support.
Erlichman died on Saturday of age-related causes, according to his representatives. He negotiated deals across recording, theatre, film, television and concerts, and helped secure Streisand’s Columbia Records contract, including unusual control over her repertoire and album covers. He executive produced her 1994 HBO concert special, which won an Emmy and a Peabody, and also managed the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.
In short
- Marty Erlichman has died aged 97.
- He managed Barbra Streisand for more than six decades.
- Their working relationship was sealed with a handshake, not a contract.
Explained simply
Barbra Streisand is an American singer and actor whose career began in New York nightclubs in the early 1960s. Her work has since spanned music, theatre, film, television and live concerts.
A manager helps an entertainer plan their career and negotiate with record labels, theatres, film studios and other organisations. Erlichman worked with Streisand for decades, including on her recording contract, which gave her unusual say over her songs and album covers.