There are few musicians living today that could claim to have had albums topping the charts for over five decades. Actually, there are few musicians who are dead that could claim this, either. But for Tony Bennett, receiving musical acclaim for fifty years has just been a part of life, and Florida Atlantic University is lucky enough to have Bennett coming here to perform some of his biggest hits from his extensive musical past.
Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born in 1926 in Queens, NY to an Italian immigrant. He sang while waiting tables as a teenager, and then performed with military bands during his Army enlistment in World War II. He later undertook vocal studies at the American Theatre Wing School. Bennett’s big break came in 1949 when comedian Bob Hope noticed him working in Greenwich Village. After the show, Hope went back to his dressing room and told Bennett that he didn’t like his stage name, Joe Bari. It was then that he was christened Tony Bennett.
Bennett’s initial successes began with a string of chart-toppers in the 1950’s including “Rags to Riches” and a remake of Hank Williams’ “Cold, Cold Heart.” He has ten Grammy Awards to his credit, including a “Lifetime Achievement Award” and “Album of the Year” for MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett, which featured duets with Elvis Costello and K.D. Lang. He performed at this year’s Grammy Awards with Billy Joel, singing “New York State of Mind.” Bennet and Joel were also honored with a nomination this year in the “Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals” category. Tony Bennett has had 24 songs in the Top 40 throughout his life. He has also received an Emmy Award and a Cable Ace Award for his television special, “Live By Request…Tony Bennett,” which featured an interactive format where viewers at home called in requests to the performer during the program. The concept was created by Bennett and has become a regular special on the A&E network.
Bennett has authored two books, What My Heart Has Seen, a collection of his paintings, and The Good Life, his autobiography released in 1998.
In the 1950’s, thousands of screaming teenagers would gather at theaters and concert halls to see their singing idol, Tony Bennett. Today, the children and grandchildren of those fans are enjoying the same experience. Known worldwide, Bennett has for five decades remained one of the leading male singers of traditional pop songs. Most incredibly, he has brought his music to youth today through his music videos and “MTV Unplugged” performance. Looking incredible at the age of 75, Tony Bennett proves that if music is good, it will endure through the years.
Some FAU students may not have considered attending the performance he will be giving here soon, and that is a shame. Bennett is not just a singer – he is a living legend, one of the few greats. This performance is likely to be something that attendees will never forget, whether they are 18 or 80.
Tony Bennett will perform at the Florida Atlantic University Performing Arts Auditorium on Thursday, March 14th at 8:00 pm. Single tickets are $50 and $60. FAU faculty and staff receive a $2 discount on single ticket prices. FAU Students pay only $25 with ID. For more information, contact the Box Office at (561)297-3737.
