The legendary singer Tony Bennett turns 90, Wednesday, and we wanted to mark the occasion by outlining why we absolutely adore the New York City native.
From his kindness toward younger artists to his resilience in a fickle industry, here are five of the many reasons we cherish the long-time crooner.
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1. In a world of flash-in-the-pan celebrities, Bennett has remained relevant for decades.
Boasting a career that’s spanned more than 60 years, Bennett’s albums include: “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” (1962), “MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett” (1994), and “Duets II” (2011). An NBC special designed to celebrate the singer’s 80th birthday in 2006 racked up multiple Emmy Awards.
Last year, Bennett toured with Lady Gaga and he’s still on the road this summer and fall. Just last week, the highly respected crooner joined Billy Joel on stage at Madison Square Garden to sing “New York State Of Mind” as a surprised audience jumped to their feet.
“I turn 90 [tomorrow] and feel like I’m just getting started and look forward to each day,” Bennett said in a statement released Tuesday. “I have loved performing for the public and sharing the music I love with the world.”
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2. He is so well-liked, stars are lining up to help celebrate him during an NBC special set to air on Dec. 20.
“Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come” is a two-hour special that will feature practically everyone, including, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, and k.d. lang, amongst others. Actors scheduled to appear include Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin and John Travolta ― that’s a lot of love from a whole lot of entertainers.
In addition, the Empire State Building will present a choreographed music-to-light show at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday to honor Bennett’s musical legacy, followed by a light display of the Italian and American flag colors in acknowledgement of Bennett’s Italian-American heritage
3. He inspires young people.
In 2014, Bennett famously teamed up with Lady Gaga ― 60 years his junior ― for their “Cheek to Cheek” album, a collection of jazz standards. He also has collaborated through the years with countless other younger artists, everyone from Mariah Carey to Amy Winehouse. Indeed, Winehouse ― who died in 2011 ― completed her final recording with Bennett, a collaboration on the beloved song “Body & Soul.”
Since then, Bennett has praised Winehouse’s abilities.
“Some people think that anyone could sing jazz, but they can’t,” Bennett told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s a gift of learning how to syncopate but it’s also a spirit that you’re either born with or you’re not. And Amy was born with that spirit.”
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4. The 19-time Grammy winner still admits he has a lot to learn.
In an interview with “Today” to mark his 90th birthday, Bennett said he has no time for retirement.
“My doctor keeps telling me, ‘There’s not a thing wrong with you. Just keep going at it,’” he said. “I’m always sold out, throughout the world, wherever I play, and it’s beautiful. I feel like I have so much more to learn, yet.”
He said his secret to a long life is continuing to make plans for the future. And what would he like to do next?
“Well, I’d like to do something again with Lady Gaga ― she’s a terrific talent,” he said on the daytime show. “But I like that Beyoncé... Yeah, she’s got a lot on the ball.”
5. He shares credit with others.
Not only is he a famous musician and singer, but Bennett just wrote his second book, too. In his first book,Life Is a Gift: The Zen of Bennett, published in 2012,he reflected on the lessons he has learned over the years. Now, in an upcoming book due to be published Nov. 15, Just Getting Started, he paid tribute to those who inspired those lessons ― people such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Fred Astaire, Cole Porter, Judy Garland and Charlie Chaplin, among others.
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Happy birthday and wishing you many more, T!
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