“I'm so grateful”— Lady Gaga shares a heartfelt message about Tony Bennett on the anniversary of his passing

On the first anniversary of Tony Bennett's passing, Lady Gaga shared a heartfelt message reflecting on their friendship and musical partnership. The iconic jazz singer passed away on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96, after battling Alzheimer's disease in his later years.

In an Instagram post dated Saturday, July 20, Lady Gaga, 38, posted a touching tribute to Bennett. Accompanying a photo of the two, the Cheek to Cheek singer wrote,

"It’s been one year since Tony passed away... I’m so grateful for my continued friendship with his wife Susan — the legacy of jazz music he left — and for the community of jazz musicians I still work with who all knew and loved Tony... Miss you"

The photograph that Lady Gaga posted is a black and white snapshot taken from one of the popular sessions when Bennett wearing a black tuxedo drew her in a notebook. This drawing session was made during the production of their 2021 joint studio album, Love for Sale. The video from 2021 showed him giving the final sketch to Gaga, who seemed to be brought to tears by it.

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Lady Gaga offers condolences for the death of Tony Bennett

After the death of the iconic Rags to Riches singer Tony Bennett in 2023, the music industry offered tributes and condolences to the star. Other personalities who offered tribute include Lady Gaga who did two jazz records with Bennett just before his death. Gaga wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post,

“I will miss my friend forever. I will miss singing with him, recording with him, talking with him, being on stage together.”

In the days before his death, Tony Bennett was still bringing joy through music. His representatives revealed that he was "singing at his piano" just days before he passed away. Bennett, who died on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the age of 96, left a lasting legacy in the music industry.

A statement posted on his official Twitter account shared,

"Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was Because of You, his first #1 hit."

Tony Bennett, an American jazz and traditional pop singer, left a clear imprint on the global map of music. He was 18 times Grammy award winner, holder of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award, and two Primetime Emmy awards winner. Bennett was honored as the NEA Jazz Master and also given the title of Kennedy Center Honoree.

He also founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts situated in Astoria, Queens New York. He loved singing and produced records of over 50 million copies during his singing career in addition to being honored with a star in Hollywood.

The singing career was initiated at a young age by Bennett. He was able to become a U. S. Army infantry in World War II. Later on, he joined the Columbia Records company after the war. His first hit number one was Because of You in 1951. Other songs that were ranked high included Rags to Riches, and followed in 1953.

Tony Bennett gravitated to jazz and came up with albums such as The Beat of My Heart and Basie Swings, Bennett Sings in 1958. In 1962, he recorded what is now his most famous song I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

Bennett’s career was somewhat in decline during the period of rock ‘n roll, although he revived the late eighties and nineties. He released gold record albums and connected with a new generation of fans through MTV. Some of his well-known songs include The Way You Look Tonight, Body and Soul, and (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco.

Throughout his career, Tony Bennett collaborated with an impressive list of artists such as Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, and Frank Sinatra.