Just after celebrating his 95th birthday, legendary singer Tony Bennett has announced his retirement, and has cancelled the string of shows he was scheduled to play this fall.
Bennett's son and manager Danny Bennett told Variety that the artist's performing days are officially over. "This was a hard decision for us to make, as he is a capable performer," he said on his father's behalf. "This is, however, doctors' orders. His continued health is the most important part of this."
He continued:
When we heard the doctors — when Tony's wife, Susan heard them — she said, "Absolutely not." He'll be doing other things, but not those upcoming shows. It's not the singing aspect but, rather, the travelling — look, he gets tired; 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 standpoint, about human nature. Tony's 95.
Last week, he did two nights at New York City's Radio City Music Hall with frequent collaborator Lady Gaga, billed as "One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga."
The duo have their second duets album in tribute to Cole Porter's songbook Love for Sale — following 2014's Cheek to Cheek — slated for release this October 1. Additional dates were to follow the New York performance along the east coast of the U.S. this fall.
Earlier this year, the crooner revealed he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016.
Bennett's son and manager Danny Bennett told Variety that the artist's performing days are officially over. "This was a hard decision for us to make, as he is a capable performer," he said on his father's behalf. "This is, however, doctors' orders. His continued health is the most important part of this."
He continued:
When we heard the doctors — when Tony's wife, Susan heard them — she said, "Absolutely not." He'll be doing other things, but not those upcoming shows. It's not the singing aspect but, rather, the travelling — look, he gets tired; 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 standpoint, about human nature. Tony's 95.
Last week, he did two nights at New York City's Radio City Music Hall with frequent collaborator Lady Gaga, billed as "One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga."
The duo have their second duets album in tribute to Cole Porter's songbook Love for Sale — following 2014's Cheek to Cheek — slated for release this October 1. Additional dates were to follow the New York performance along the east coast of the U.S. this fall.
Earlier this year, the crooner revealed he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016.
