Girl Gaga has shared a heartfelt tribute to music icon and buddy Tony Bennett, following information of his demise.
The legendary American singer died on July 21 in his hometown of New York, after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s illness. He was aged 96.
Since sharing his debut album ‘Because Of You’ in 1952, the vocalist went on to launch greater than 70 albums, gained 20 Grammy awards and collaborated with among the largest names within the music business, together with Sir Paul McCartney and Aretha Franklin.
His remaining studio recording was titled ‘Love For Sale’, a collaborative assortment with Girl Gaga which was launched in 2021. The 2 had beforehand joined forces for the 2014 launch ‘Cheek To Cheek’.
Now, following his demise earlier this month, Girl Gaga has spoken out on the loss publicly for the primary time, and shared a touching tribute to the musician and “true friend”.
Alongside a picture of them each embracing, shared yesterday (July 30), the caption learn: “I will miss my friend forever. I will miss singing with him, recording with him, talking with him, being on stage together.”
“With Tony, I got to live my life in a time warp. Tony & I had this magical power. We transported ourselves to another era, modernised the music together, & gave it all new life as a singing duo. But it wasn’t an act. Our relationship was very real,” she added.
“Sure he taught me about music, about showbiz life, but he also showed me how to keep my spirits high and my head screwed on straight. ‘Straight ahead,’ he’d say. He was an optimist, he believed in quality work AND quality life. Plus, there was the gratitude…Tony was always grateful.”
Later within the submit, she additionally confirmed that, because of the nature of his sickness, she had been “grieving the loss of Tony for a long time”.
“We had a very long and powerful goodbye. Though there were 5 decades between us, he was my friend. My real true friend. Our age difference didn’t matter– in fact, it gave us each something neither of us had with most people,” she defined.
“Losing Tony to Alzheimer’s has been painful but it was also really beautiful. An era of memory loss is such a sacred time in a person’s life. There’s such a feeling of vulnerability and a desire to preserve dignity,” she added. “All I wanted was for Tony to remember how much I loved him and how grateful I was to have him in my life… I’ll never forget this experience. I’ll never forget Tony Bennett.”
Following his Alzheimer’s analysis in 2016 – which was publicly revealed by his household 5 years later – Girl Gaga spoke of her altering relationship with the musician in 2021. As reported by The Impartial, the singer grew emotional after Bennett stated her identify for the primary time “in a long time” whereas on stage.
The second occurred once they each carried out at New York’s Radio Metropolis Music Corridor for Bennett’s ninety fifth birthday, and he launched the singer by saying “Woah, Lady Gaga!”
“That’s the first time that Tony said my name in a long time,” Gaga later instructed Anderson Cooper of the occasion. “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. And it was very special.”
Moreover, after information of his demise, footage resurfaced of Gaga saying that he “saved [her] life” in a previous interview.
Amongst these to have paid tribute to Bennett on social media is Nile Rodgers who wrote: “My most heartfelt condolences go out to Tony Bennett’s family and friends. They’re also my emotional family and friends.”
Sir Elton John additionally shared a picture of himself with Bennett together with the message: “So unhappy to listen to of Tony’s passing. Doubtless the classiest singer, man, and performer you’ll ever see.
“He’s irreplaceable. I loved and adored him. Condolences to [wife] Susan [Crow], [son and manager] Danny and the family.”