Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett to Release a New Album They Made Amid His Battle with Alzheimer's
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga are set to release a new album they collaborated on amid his battle with Alzheimer's. The latest music project might be Bennett's last record.
Fans are set to expect another powerful collaboration from the iconic duo, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. In a recent profile on the 94-year-old in AARP The Magazine, the news of the upcoming project was shared.
After Bennett and Gaga's 2014 joint album, "Cheek to Cheek," which dominated charts, the duo teamed up again for a follow-up project recorded between 2018 and 2020 amid his private battle with Alzheimer's.
Tony Bennett performs on stage at Royal Albert Hall on June 28, 2019 in London, England. | Photo: Getty Images
The new album, whose name hasn't been revealed, suffered delays because of Gaga's busy schedule surrounding her movie, "A Star is Born," and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, it is set for release in the spring.
The decision to announce the upcoming album was reportedly due to Bennett's battle with the disease and his deteriorating health, which would hinder him from participating in publicity events and press releases.
As a result, his family decided to go public with his Alzheimer's disease, which he was first diagnosed with in 2016. In the interview, they explained that "The Lady is a Tramp" crooner was dealing with both long-term and short-term memory loss.
Bennett is currently undergoing treatment with medications and frequent upper-body and aerobic exercises.
The 19-time Grammy award winner still remembers his loved ones and close friends but struggles to understand everyday house objects like the keys and fork. His third wife, Susan Crow, recalled the moment she knew something was up, saying:
"He would ask me, 'What is Alzheimer's?' I would explain, but he wouldn't get it. He'd tell me, 'Susan, I feel fine.'"
Tony Bennett and Susan Benedetto Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Exploring the Arts at Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2019 in New York City. | Photo: Getty Images
Bennett is currently undergoing treatment with medications and frequent upper-body and aerobic exercises with the help of his trainer and Susan. He also has a Meditteranean diet given to him by his caretakers.
According to Dr. Gayatri Devi, the doctor who diagnosed Bennett, the iconic singer is still doing impressively. She noted that his brain remains resilient, and the award-winning singer still manages to do things other people in his age grade can't.
Devi also advised that Bennett remain immersed in his music, which was evident when he continued to tour after the diagnosis. In 2016, when Bennett turned 90, the tight bond he shared with Gaga was obvious during his birthday concert.
The "Poker Face" singer, who was the only vocalist to perform twice at the celebration, praised Bennett for being more than an older colleague. She praised him for being family to her and confessed that he changed her life for the better.