Lady Gaga Makes Heartfelt Tribute To Dear Friend Tony Bennett At Concert

Aug 23, 2022 by apost team

Popstar Lady Gaga and jazz crooner Tony Bennett’s unlikely friendship has gone from strength to strength since their first meeting. Over numerous live duets and records together, the pair’s bond has blossomed into a beautiful relationship as singers, friends and collaborators. On Aug. 11, 2022, Lady Gaga paid an emotional tribute to their connection with a stirring rendition of “Always Remember Us This Way” at a concert in New Jersey.

Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on Aug. 3, 1926, in Queens, New York City. After turning 95 in 2021, he retired from performing live for audiences. Bennett is a traditional pop singer specializing in big band, show tunes and jazz. 

Bennett began his singing career after coming home from serving in World War II. He signed with Columbia Records, and in 1951, he had his first No. 1 hit with the song “Because of You.” It is said that the singer reached his artistic peak in the mid-1950s with his albums “The Beat of My Heart” and “Basie Swings, Bennett Sings.” However, it was in 1962 that Bennett recorded his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Bennett has stayed relevant with a whole new generation with his collaboration with musical artist Lady Gaga, first in a live performance in 2011. The duo released an album together in 2014 called “Cheek to Cheek.” They also toured together in 2014 and 2015. In 2021, Bennett and Lady Gaga released another collaborative album called “Love For Sale.” 

At Bennett's 95th birthday celebration and farewell concert, the music legend performed again with Lady Gaga, and the entire experience was very emotional. Keep reading to learn more about his close friendship with Lady Gaga. 

After Bennett’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis was announced in 2021, his family also shared that he often doesn’t know where he is. Lady Gaga explained in an interview, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “For the first couple of weeks that I saw Tony since (2020), he called me ‘sweetheart,’ but I wasn’t sure he knew who I was.”

Despite these challenges, Bennett’s ability to remember his songs and his musical talent has not changed. “When that music comes on (snaps fingers), something happens to him,” Lady Gaga added. “He knows exactly what he’s doing and what’s important for me, actually, is to make sure that I don’t get in the way of that.”

The night of his final performance, Lady Gaga was shocked as she came on stage because Bennett called her by her name for the first time in years. “That’s the first time that Tony said my name in a long time,” she recalled in the same interview. “I had to keep it together because we had a sold-out show and I have a job to do. But I’ll tell you when I walked out on that stage and he said, ‘It’s Lady Gaga,’ my friend saw me. It was very special.”

At the end of the show, Lady Gaga showed her great respect for Bennett by offering to escort him offstage. “‘Mr. Bennett, it would be my honor if I could escort you off the stage.’ And he said, ‘OK.’ And I did. And just simply being the woman that got to walk him offstage, that’s enough for me,” she added. 

While seeing someone go through such hardship is never easy, Lady Gaga shared that each time Bennett can remember his songs, it is his way of continuing to share his gift with the world. 

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During the New Jersey stop on her Chromatica Ball tour at the MetLife Stadium in August 2022, Lady Gaga showed her emotional side, remarking the crowd was “the biggest audience that has ever come to just see me.” The thunderous audience lapped up her biggest hits and fast-paced dance favorites but were also moved during slower and more heartfelt moments of the night.

Such was the case when Lady Gaga paused to say a few words about her good friend Bennett. 

“Tony used to be my neighbor in New York. He still kinda is my neighbor,” she said, adding, “When I see Tony or I spend time with him, I’m always reminded to go straight ahead in life. It’s something he always taught me – he always said straight ahead.”

“Even though things are different, I feel so very blessed that his wonderful wife, Susan, is with him every day. And even though Tony couldn’t be here tonight, Susan, I always want to remember us just like this,” she said before breaking into “Always Remember Us This Way” from her 2018 film “A Star is Born,” accompanied by the piano she was playing. 

She ended the song with a reminder to all those watching to be “kind to those dealing with mental health,” a topic close to her heart. In 2012, she started the Born This Way Foundation, aimed at helping the youth tackle mental health and wellness issues through programs and campaigns, including on college campuses. On the foundation committed to building “a braver and kinder world,” Lady Gaga told the audience, “It’s pretty clear, after the last two years, that the world is already pretty brave.”

Did Lady Gaga’s tribute to her friend Tony Bennett warm your heart? Are you a fan of their music? Do you feel their styles complement each other? Let us know, and pass this on to all the music lovers out there.