Lady Gaga has commemorated the iconic Tony Bennett with an emotional tribute reflecting on their companionship, creative partnership, as well as Bennett’s final years living with Alzheimer’s. “I will forever mourn the loss of my friend,” she shares on Instagram. “I’ll miss the harmonies we created together, recording with him, engaging in conversations with him, and sharing the stage with him. Being with Tony was like a journey back in time. Together, we held this enchanting force. We managed to traverse to a bygone era, breathed contemporary life into the music, and reincarnated it as a vocal duo. Yet, this was no mere performance. Our bond was deeply authentic.”
Bennett passed away at the age of 96 earlier this month. Gaga expresses she had been “mourning Tony’s departure for a considerable time”:
His departure to Alzheimer’s was agonizing, yet it was uniquely beautiful. A time of memory loss in an individual’s life is incredibly precious. It exposes a raw vulnerability and invokes an urge to retain dignity. My only wish was for Tony to hold onto the memory of my love for him and my gratitude for his presence in my life. As these memories gradually blurred, I understood that he was revealing to me his most defenseless moment—that he still chose to sing with me despite the profound transformation he was undergoing. This experience is imprinted on my soul. Tony Bennett will never be forgotten.
Gaga and Bennett first united their talents in the 2014 duet album, Cheek to Cheek, which was succeeded seven years later by the Cole Porter tribute album, Love for Sale. Videos of the sessions depict an emotional Gaga trying to interact with Bennett, who was displaying Alzheimer’s symptoms. In 2021, coinciding with Bennett’s 95th birthday, the two commemorated the album with two performances at Radio City Music Hall.
In addition, Gaga has revealed an extension to her Vegas engagement, from August 31 to October 5. The schedule can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lady Gaga’s tribute to Tony Bennett
Who wrote a tribute to the late Tony Bennett?
Lady Gaga penned an emotional tribute to the late Tony Bennett, highlighting their friendship, musical collaboration, and Bennett’s final years living with Alzheimer’s.
When did Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett first collaborate?
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett first collaborated in 2014 on the duet album, Cheek to Cheek.
How does Lady Gaga describe her relationship with Tony Bennett?
Lady Gaga describes her relationship with Tony Bennett as deeply authentic, stating that it was a journey back in time. She mentions that together, they breathed contemporary life into music, reincarnating it as a vocal duo.
How did Gaga and Bennett commemorate Bennett’s 95th birthday?
During the week of Bennett’s 95th birthday in 2021, Gaga and Bennett commemorated their album, Love for Sale, with a pair of shows at Radio City Music Hall.
Has Lady Gaga made any recent professional announcements?
Yes, Lady Gaga has announced an extension to her Vegas engagement, which will now last from August 31 to October 5.
More about Lady Gaga’s tribute to Tony Bennett
- Lady Gaga’s Instagram tribute to Tony Bennett
- Cheek to Cheek Album
- Love for Sale Album
- Tony Bennett’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
- Gaga’s Vegas Residency
5 comments
Bennett was a legend, and its clear he made a huge impact on Gaga’s life. i remember those shows at Radio City, it was magical…RIP Tony.
Gaga and Tony, now that was a timeless combo…they really brought the classics back to life. Big loss for the music world.
This is so sad, Gaga and Tony had such a special bond. Their music together was so beautiful. Rip Tony, you’ll be missed!
The connection between Gaga & Tony was pure magic. Its like they were from another era… So heartbreaking.
its just so heartbreaking to think of all the talented ppl we’ve lost. Alzheimer’s is a brutal disease, i hope we find a cure soon.