Tony Bennett
Singer suffers from Alzheimer's
Tony Bennett in April 2019
© lev radin / Shutterstock.com
The family of entertainer and jazz singer Tony Bennett has made his fight against Alzheimer's disease public.
The US entertainer and jazz singer Tony Bennett (94) has Alzheimer's disease. "Life is a gift – even with Alzheimer's", announces the official Twitter account of the 94-year-old and thanks the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), who previously published an article that included Bennett's family.
His face was "mask-like"
When Bennett's wife Susan (54) referred her husband to the author of the article, John Colapinto, who was visiting, the singer's facial expression almost consistently showed a "mask-like insensitivity". "This is John, Tone," she introduced Colapinto. The entertainer looked at him without expression and went back to his book.
The disease was therefore first diagnosed in 2016 at Bennett. Since then, the disease is said to have progressed. So far, he has not suffered from any anger or depression that may be associated with Alzheimer's. At the same time, according to his wife, the entertainer still recognizes family members, but sometimes he is not entirely clear about where he is or what is going on around him. Even simple concepts like a fork or house key are sometimes a mystery to him.
New album with Lady Gaga
Bennett also showed clear signs of the disease during the recordings for a new album with Lady Gaga (34), which, according to the article, should appear in the spring and was created in numerous sessions between 2018 and 2020. In 2014 the two released their joint album "Cheek to Cheek".
In recordings from the studio stays, the singer hardly speaks, sometimes seems a bit lost. Gaga keeps conversations with Bennett, whom she describes as a mentor, friend and father figure, just as short. You seem to be aware of the situation. "You sound so good Tony," she said at one point. His simple answer: "Thank you".