Tony Bennett Celebrates 90th Birthday
He appeared together with Lady Gaga at the Empire State Building for a ceremony.
— -- Legendary singer Tony Bennett celebrated his 90th birthday today with his good friend, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lady Gaga. The dynamic singing duo appeared together for an honorary lighting ceremony at the Empire State Building recognizing Bennett’s musical legacy, where Bennett told ABC News it’s been a great day.
“The whole experience is going to take me a long time to think about. And I just love every moment of what’s happening today,” Bennett said.
“She’s a great friend,” he added of Lady Gaga.
Bennett, his wife Susan -- who also attended the event -- Lady Gaga and a host of other big-name celebrities are expected to continue the celebration with a party later this evening at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Bennett has, of course, worked with the who’s who in the music business. When asked if there’s anything more he’d like to do that he hasn’t done, he quickly chimed in, “There’s plenty.”
But he added, that all of the things he’s done, this day is particularly special.
“This is a day I’ll never forget as long as I live. To be treated this way at 90 years old, I feel like I’m 19 years old. It’s a wonderful treat. It’s one of the very special things in my whole life,” said Bennett.
He looked back on all of his collaborations, but said there’s one singer that has stood out most. His favorite, the great Lena Horne.
“Well, Lena Horne was wonderful to me. We did a tour together for two-and-a-half years, two different specials that we did. And she was such a great artist and a great person,” Bennett said.
But there’s still one other singer out there he’d like to work with eventually. And his choice may not be much of a surprise to many.
“Beyonce,” said Bennett. “I understand she’s going be part of a gigantic special that’s being done about my life. So I’m looking forward to that.”
Bennett said he’s enjoying every minute of life doing the things he loves most.
“I paint every day. And I love life. I live right next to Central Park. And I love to paint in Central Park all the time. I love doing that as much as I love to sing,” he said.
And he clearly appreciates the love he’s received from fans.
"I’ve been very fortunate," Bennett said. "The public has been wonderful to me through my life. I’ve been sold out everywhere that I’ve played throughout my life. And they’ve been wonderful to me and I’ll never get over it because I’m accepted by the public."
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