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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

July 26, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony and Lady Gaga — in his own words

Tony wrote about his friendship and collaboration with Lady Gaga in his book Just Getting Started.

We began our musical association by recording “The Lady Is a Tramp,” the great Rodgers and Hart song we both love, at Avatar Studios in New York City. One of the first things you see about Gaga when you work together in the studio is her utter professionalism and thoughtfulness. She doesn’t just sweep in, like some other stars, oblivious to others. She stops to shake hands and talk to the engineers, the musicians, the office personnel, and the people who run out for bagels and coffee. She is that rare, huge talent who knows that you need to nurture and encourage collaboration to become a truly big star.

Gaga and I got better together as we went along. But from the first, there were sparks, banter, and a kind of effortless back-and-forth that inspired improvisation. It was fun, and it was electric.

There is no mistaking the fact that the collaboration I’ve enjoyed with Lady Gaga has made me and the music to which I’ve devoted my artistic life appreciated by a whole new generation. They have kept me going past the age of ninety. And they have kept the music going on and on and on, into new generations.

We were being interviewed once, and I heard Gaga say that one of the things she’s learned from our partnership is that “You don’t have to fear growing older. In my generation, this is like at the center of everything, especially in celebrity culture: it’s all about staying young and staying perfect and staying youthful. . . . But Tony has remained the same, and there’s nothing hipper. There’s nothing hipper than being talented at something that you love, in having passion, and that is classic, and that is timeless.” Did you catch that? I think Lady Gaga called me hip.

Just Getting Started is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers.

Filed Under: About Tony Bennett Tagged With: Just Getting Started, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett

July 24, 2016 By Suzanne 2 Comments

Available for Pre-Order: Just Getting Started

If there is any kind of post that I love to write, it’s when I get to announce a pre-order for something from Tony Bennett.

Today, I’m happy to let everyone know that Tony’s new book, Just Getting Started, is now available for pre-order at online booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

just-getting-started

Working with Tony on this book is NPR’s Scott Simon, who hosts Weekend Edition Saturday. It’s obvious to this listener that he loves Tony Bennett as much as we do and I think he’s an excellent choice of a collaborator. He did a lovely interview with Tony and Bill Charlap last October for the release of The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. You can listen to that interview here. It’s also being released as an audiobook–I’ll provide more information on that as soon as I learn more.

For those of you who live in the New York area, Mr. Bennett will be signing copies of his book at The Bookmark Shoppe in Brooklyn. Click here for more information.

Filed Under: Books, News Tagged With: Just Getting Started, Scott Simon

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