I Thought Tony Bennett Had a Chance To Go On Forever

When I learned of Tony Bennett's death on Friday morning less than two weeks away from his 97th birthday, my thoughts immediately turned to when my Dad and I saw him perform at Radio City Music Hall on April 13, 2019 - a day shy of my Dad's 78th birthday. 

In looking back at the evening just over four years ago, two things stand out. First, neither of us had been to Radio City Music Hall before. Second, we were both gobsmacked at Bennett's remarkable energy at the age of 92:

I have seen several acts of Bennett's vintage perform (i.e. Dave Brubeck and Toots Thielemann). They had to be helped to the stage due to their advanced age. The same cannot be said of Bennett who not only walked unassisted, but walked around stage to various members of the band throughout the night. He sang about two dozen songs one right after the other without taking a break. At the end of the show, he walked on and off the stage about half a dozen times teasing the audience with an encore. Let's just say his level of energy is atypical for a 92 year old man. But it's easy to see and hear why. He loves what he does and why should he stop what he loves to do? How else can you explain someone who can keep pace with Lady Gaga?

Tony Bennett has resonated with live audiences for generations. It would come as no surprise to me if in 20 years from now he will be alive, well and continue to resonate with a new generation of an audience at the ripe old age of 112. One can only hope.

There was nothing which would have suggested that he had been dealing with Alzheimer's for three years. After all, I had seen Glen Campbell in concert after his Alzheimer's diagnosis and while he could play guitar without missing a lick and he needed a teleprompter to remember the words to his songs. Bennett did not need any accommodation and it would be another two years before the rest of the world knew.

In the grand scheme of things, it was perhaps fitting that Bennett would end his performing career at Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga in August 2021 which would air on CBS that November.

Tony Bennett won't go on forever, but his music will. R.I.P.