Heartwarming moment Tony Bennett remembered Lady Gaga's name for first time in months during dementia battle
Katherine Sidnell
Featured Image Credit: 60 Minutes
After the sad passing of Tony Bennett earlier today (July 21), a clip has emerged of the late singer with Lady Gaga.
In the touching video, the pair reunite for the legendary crooner’s 95th birthday with him immediately recognising the ‘Bad Romance’ musician.
Heartbreakingly, Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and had struggled to recognise Lady Gaga leading up to the gig.
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Taking to the stage at Radio City Music Hall, you can see the shock and utter joy on Lady Gaga’s face when she hears her name being called.
“Woah, it’s Lady Gaga,” Bennett excitedly tells the crowd, during what would be one of his last public performances.
Tragically though, it was the first time Bennett had recognised her in ‘a long time’ with the Hous Labs founder later reflecting on the moment.
In a heartbreaking interview with Anderson Cooper for 60 Minutes, she told the presenter that they’d been rehearsing together but that the singer had not referred to her by name.
She revealed: “For the first couple of weeks that I saw Tony since COVID, he called me ‘sweetheart,’ but I wasn’t sure he knew who I was.”
Eager to help jog his memory, Lady Gaga would ask Bennett questions hoping to reconnect with the ageing star – with music often being a key tool.
However, the performance took on a significant meaning as he finally recognised his long-time collaborator.
“That’s the first time that Tony said my name in a long time,” she revealed, adding: “I had to keep it together because we had a sold-out show and I have a job to do. But I’ll tell you, when I walked out on that stage and he said, ‘It’s Lady Gaga,’ my friend saw me. It was very special.”
Since the singer’s passing, the clip has taken on even more significance.
The 96-year-old was adored by Gaga’s fans and many have been rewatching the clip, as they pay tribute to the late star.
One wrote on Twitter: “Watched the @60Minutes segment of @andersoncooper covering Tony Bennett's last musical performances with Lady Gaga - and his undying love for music - while battling AD."
They added: "It left me very teary-eyed at the time. What a marvelous entertainer he was!"
Others thanked the musician for his long-standing friendship with Gaga.
Another wrote: Never forget how kind and loving tony bennett was to lady gaga when the whole world turned against her. Not only to her but to many other younger artists. Such a rare talent.”
Another agreed, thanking the star for his friendship with Gaga.
“…thank you Tony Bennett for everything you gave the world and for being the greatest friend anyone ever was to Gaga", they tweeted.
Bennett is survived by his wife Susan Crow and his four children.