Across his own monumental 85-year career, Tony Bennett famously collaborated with several generations of music icons. One such partnership saw Bennett and Lady Gaga multiple times, from a 2011 duet to a world tour. According to Gaga, their partnership – and subsequent friendship – helped her in a very profound way.
The music world is now mourning Bennett, who died on July 21 at the age of 96. He began his career in 1936 and stayed active in the industry until 2021, rounding it all off with a final bow at Radio City Music Hall. Gaga’s own career, which began in 2001, almost ended far sooner, had it not been for motivation from Bennett.
Tony Bennett helped Lady Gaga when she needed it most
2014 marked the start of a long, unexpected, and life-changing friendship between Gaga and Bennett. At the time, Gaga couldn’t have known all the other performances they would put on, or what an iconic duo they would make. But, that same year, she did know that Bennett had altered the projection of her career and life.
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“Six months ago I didn’t even want to sing anymore,” she told Parade magazine back in 2014 during an interview with Bennett.
Without missing a beat, Bennett responded, “Do you know what Duke Ellington said? He said, ‘Number one, don’t quit. Number two, listen to number one.'”
“Right! The other day, Tony said, ‘I’ve never once in my career not wanted to do this,'” shared Gaga, adding, “It stung. Six months ago I didn’t feel that way. I tell Tony every day that he saved my life.”
Unexpected similarities
Part of their easy connection came from Bennett’s sincerity and his appreciation for Gaga as more than another big name to boost his own star power. “I’m not going to say any names, but people get irrational when it comes to money—with how they treat you, with what they expect from you,” she mused. “But if you help an artist, it doesn’t give you the right, once the artist is big, to take advantage of them.”
“I was so sad. I couldn’t sleep,” she added. “I felt dead. And then I spent a lot of time with Tony. He wanted nothing but my friendship and my voice.”
At this point in the interview, Bennett clasped her hand and assured her, “I understand.”
Not about to let gratitude go even a little unspoken, Gaga replied, “It meant a lot to me, Tony. I don’t have many people I can relate to.”
