Tony Bennett officially retires from singing live amid Alzheimer’s battle

One of the most iconic golden voices in pop music history has been silenced.

Tony Bennett has officially retired from singing live, canceling his 2021 tour dates in the wake of an at times heart-wrenching appearance billed as “One Last Time” in New York City.

The 95-year-old — who’s fought a years-long public battle with Alzheimer’s disease — has nixed the rescheduled shows, which were already delayed in 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There won’t be any additional concerts,” his son Danny Bennett, 66, confirmed to Variety Friday. “This was a hard decision for us to make, as he is a capable performer. One, however, that was made by doctors’ orders.

“It’s not the singing aspect but, rather, the traveling. Look, he gets tired,” Danny, his father’s manager of the last 40-plus years, continued. “The decision is being made that doing concerts now is just too much for him. We don’t want him to fall on stage, for instance — something as simple as that. We’re not worried about him being able to sing. We are worried, from a physical stand point … about human nature. Tony’s 95.”

The “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” crooner’s tour was originally set to relaunch in September in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The additional affected dates include New York, Maryland, Oklahoma and Canada. Ticket-holders are advised to contact the venues for information regarding refunds.

This latest development, sure to devastate loyal fans of the singer, comes on the heels of his pair of weepy shows with Lady Gaga — the presciently titled “One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga” — at Radio City Music Hall on Aug. 3 and Aug. 5.

The concerts were a celebration with a caveat: Phone cameras were banned, so as to not flood YouTube with fan clips. Attendants locked them away in security pouches as concertgoers arrived — but The Post was there to witness the historic moment. The show’s cryptic title already had many in the audience fretting aloud that it was the “last chance ever” to see Bennett sing live.

Tony Bennett attends The Art Students League's 2019 Gala at The Edition Hotel on November 04, 2019 in New York City.
Tony Bennett attends The Art Students League’s 2019 Gala at The Edition Hotel on November 04, 2019 in New York City.Getty Images for Shorefire

The reason for their dissolution — the pair’s final album together, “Love for Sale,” a collection of Cole Porter tunes will drop on October 1 — is far sadder than the standard musical differences: Bennett revealed in February that he is suffering from a progressive, degenerative brain disease. He was officially diagnosed in 2016 — but he kept right on touring up until the pandemic shut down the live concert industry.

His family told AARP that his battle with Alzheimer’s became seriously concerning in 2018 when he was recording “Love for Sale” with Lady Gaga.

Still, “life is a gift, even with Alzheimer’s,” he tweeted.

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett's album "Cheek to Cheek" was released in 2014.
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett’s album “Cheek to Cheek” was released in 2014.
YouTube

Meanwhile, there was a production crew on-site filming Bennett and Gaga’s Radio City shows — and audience members, who included Bill and Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, were warned they could possibly end up on TV. Dozens of unforced standing ovations ensued throughout the compact, 90-minute concerts.

Lady Gaga could barely hold back tears in the video.
Lady Gaga could barely hold back tears in their new music video.
YouTube

Playing it classy, Gaga left the meat dress in her cooler and opted to hit the stage in a glittering white gown. Bennett, of course, oozed style in his suit and tie.

Beyond the lyrics to his signature tunes, the only words Bennett uttered throughout the show were “Beautiful” and “Beautiful night.” But he still possessed that unmistakable golden vocal touch.

And Gaga, who collaborated with him on a 2014 album, seems to agree wholeheartedly, believing perhaps that Bennett has more great stuff to give. After all, she kicks off their new music video for “I Get a Kick Out of You” by declaring, “Tony’s always ready.”

His loyal son Danny said in the AARP piece announcing the diagnosis, “Managing my father for the last 40 years has been a privilege and an amazing journey. He never ceases to inspire me with his passion and dedication to all that life has to offer. The last four years has been no exception. He continues to sing and stay fit on a daily basis. I speak for the whole family in thanking his wonderful wife Susan for all the support and love she has given to him. Our wish is that by openly sharing his challenges with Alzheimer’s that we will give hope to all that face this condition and will help end the stigma surrounding this disease. Above all else, we want to be able to help raise awareness, advocate for advancing new therapies and one day soon, finding a cure.”

source: nypost.com