Lady Gaga is mourning the death of her friend and musical collaborator Tony Bennett. The “Bad Romance” singer took to her social media page to honor Bennett with a heartfelt tribute.
Lady Gaga is known to be a huge fan of the iconic musician and considers him a dear friend and mentor. The duo collaborated on two successful jazz albums; “Cheek to Cheek” in 2014 and “Love for Sale” in 2021.
During the 2022 Grammy Awards, Lady Gaga paid tribute to Bennett by performing songs they had produced together.
Bennett died on Friday at the age of 96 following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
Read on to learn more.
Lady Gaga Pays Tribute to Tony Bennett
Instagram | Lady Gaga
Singer and actress Lady Gaga has shared a long and heartfelt tribute to her late friend and mentor, Tony Bennett. Lady Gaga, also known as Stefani Germanotta, opened up about her experience with the late icon and how she and Bennett had a “magical power” when working together.
“I will miss my friend forever. I will miss singing with him, recording with him, talking with him, being on stage with him. With Tony, I had to live my life in a time warp. Tony & I have this magical power,” shared Lady Gaga on her Instagram page.
“We took ourselves to another era, modernized the music together, & gave it all new life as a singing duo. But it’s not an act. Our relationship is very real. Of course he taught me about music, about showbiz life, but he also showed me how to keep my spirit and my head on straight.
“’Keep going,’ he would say. He is an optimist, he believes in quality work AND quality life. Also, there was gratitude…Tony was always grateful. He served in WWII, marched with Martin Luther King Jr., and sang jazz with the greatest singers and players in the world,” added Lady Gaga, noting how much of an influence Bennett had on her.
The “Just Dance” singer called Bennett a “true friend” despite their five-decade age gap and revealed that it’s one of the best things about their relationship because it “inspires” them both and helps them learn from each other.
‘Losing Tony to Alzheimer’s Has Hurt’
Instagram | Tony Bennett
Speaking about her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Lady Gaga said, “Losing Tony to Alzheimer’s was painful but it was also very beautiful. The era of memory loss is such a sacred time in a person’s life. There is a feeling of weakness and a desire to preserve dignity.”
She continued, “All I want is for Tony to remember how much I love him and how grateful I am to have him in my life. But, as that slowly faded, I knew deep down he was sharing with me the most vulnerable moment of his life that he could–willing to sing with me when his nature changed so profoundly. I will never forget this experience.”
Ending his post “Born This Way,” the hitmaker said, “I’ll never forget Tony Bennett. If I could say anything to the world about this, I’d say don’t look down on older people, don’t leave them behind when things change. Don’t give up when you feel sad, keep moving forward, sadness is part of it. Take care of your parents and I promise you will learn something special. Maybe even magical. And pay attention to silence—some of my music couples and I exchange the most meaning is without melody at all.”
Tony Bennett Dies At The Age Of 96
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On Friday, it was revealed that Bennett had died at the age of 96. The late musician’s publicist, Sylvia Weiner, confirmed the sad news to The Associated Press. Weiner stated that Bennett had died at his home in New York City.
The creator of “New York State of Mind” was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016, but despite this development, Bennett continued to record music and perform until 2021.
Known for her incredible vocals, Bennett has had an enviable career spanning eight decades, during which she has won a total of twenty Grammy awards and a lifetime achievement award that was awarded to her in 2021.
According to Bennett’s official Instagram account, the last song he performed on his piano before he died was “Because of You.” The song became Bennett’s first major hit, climbing to the top of the Billboard charts at number one and holding that position for ten weeks.
Instagram | Tony Bennett
“Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was, ‘Because of You,’ his first #1 hit. Tony, because of you we keep your song in our hearts forever,” the statement said.
Despite having several hits, Bennett achieved major success after releasing his recording of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” It eventually peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is considered one of the official songs of San Francisco. In 2018, the Library of Congress selected songs for preservation in the National Recording Registry because they are “culturally, historically, or artistically significant.”
Bennett gained new recognition in the mainstream media through his work with Lady Gaga in his later years. The duo recorded two albums together; “Cheek to Cheek” in 2014 and “Love for Sale” in 2021.
Music by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga Together
Instagram | Tony Bennett
Bennett and Lady Gaga became a famous and iconic duo after collaborating on two albums of jazz music, with the second project, “Love for Sale,” earning Bennett his last award. In the midst of her battle with Alzheimer’s, Lady Gaga and Bennett took to the stage for one final performance in August 2021.
In the special concert, titled “One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga,” the talented duo performed their songs to a sold-out crowd.
During the performance, Bennett constantly followed Lady Gaga, although there were moments when he seemed to forget where he was or what was happening around him.
Instagram | Tony Bennett
Before taking the stage, Lady Gaga made sure to praise Bennett, introducing him as “the greatest singer in the whole world.”
He said, “He is my friend. He’s my music buddy. And he is the greatest singer in the whole world. And I’m counting on you, New York, to make her smile. So you better cheer. You better scream. You better laugh. You better cry. You better give your soul.”
At the 2022 Grammy Awards, Gaga paid tribute to Bennett by performing their songs “Love for Sale” and “Do I Love You.” As she sings, video clips of the two performing and recording music together appear on the screen.
More Tributes Poured In For Tony Bennett
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Several celebrities have come forward to honor the late music icon and offer their condolences to his family.
Popular “Star Trek” actor George Takei was unequivocal in his tribute to Bennett Twitter. He wrote, “The great Tony Bennett has died aged 96. He was the last of his kind, a master of the American songbook. He may have left his Heart in San Francisco, but he won all our hearts, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Be still, and sing us now from the stars, Tony.”
Legendary record producer and guitarist Nile Rogers also paid tribute to Bennett, write, “My deepest condolences to Tony Bennett’s family and friends. They are also my family and emotional friends.”
Noting Bennett’s strength in the music industry, music publicist Eric Kalper write, “Deeply saddened by the passing of a true legend, Tony Bennett, at the age of 96. His timeless voice and extraordinary talent have left an indelible mark on the world of music. Rest in peace, and thank you for the wonderful memories.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
