Tony Bennett is one of the last surviving musical icons of the golden generation of jazz singers from the 1930s, while Lady Gaga has been one of the biggest names in pop since 2009.
Despite the many different times, fans, and productions, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga struck an unexpected friendship and partnership.
The duo released two albums together toured, and played until Tony’s retirement at the end of 2021 at the age of 95.
Tony Bennett is famous for his traditional pop standards and albums in the big band, show, and jazz genres. While Lady Gaga is best known for her pop songs like “Poker Face” and “Born This Way,” she is also a talented pianist and classically trained singer.
In 2011, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga met after she performed a cover of Nat King Cole’s Orange Colored Sky at the Robin Hood Foundation Gala in New York.
Tony asked Gaga to sing a duet with him on her upcoming Duets II album, and the pair recorded The Lady Is a Tramp.
In September 2012, Tony announced that Gaga wanted to record a jazz album with him. In 2013, Gaga and Tony performed at the final inaugural ball for President Obama’s second inauguration, and she announced the album on Twitter.
After 2014’s Cheek to Cheek album was a success, a follow-up titled Love for Sale was released in 2021.
Lady Gaga has remained Tony’s close friend and apprentice since his first duet more than a decade ago.
“The fact that Tony sees me as a born jazz singer is something I still haven’t gotten over,” she told AARP.
Bennett and Gaga recorded the second album together in their hometown of New York, with documentaries showing how difficult it was for Gaga to deal with her friend’s mood.
In a beautiful moment captured during Tony’s last live performance, Gaga sings “The Lady is a Tramp” with the legendary singer before escorting him off the stage one last time.“
Just being the woman he carried off the stage is enough for me,” an emotional Lady Gaga told 60 Minutes.
