American Jazz and Big His band singer Tony Bennett has sold over 50 million records worldwide. The 95-year-old musician recently broke the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to record an album of new songs. Perhaps even more impressive is that Bennett continued his work despite his degenerative disease.
This musician made his chart debut in 1951 with his popular song “Because of You,” which earned him his 19th Grammy Award. Eleven years later, he recorded his signature song “I Left My Heart” in San Francisco.
However, in February 2021, it was announced that the singer was unwell. Bennett’s wife, Susan Benedetto, has spoken publicly about her husband’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, which was discovered in 2016.
The announcement follows the legendary big band Last Appearance with Lady Gaga, who toured and collaborated frequently in 2014 and 2015.
Before retiring for health reasons, Bennett performed one more gig at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Benedetto appeared with Anderson Cooper on the acclaimed American television show 60 Minutes to discuss her husband’s health.
She said, “Thank God. God approves of me and his children. We are blessed in many ways.” He is a very kind person.
Bennett’s wife went on to say that Bennett may be unaware she has the disease and she wants to continue acting—rice field.
Tony claims that making people happy has always been his passion and still is. “That’s it,” she told Cooper.
Dr. Benedetto and Mr. Geitali Devi both appeared on the show, and Mr. Geitali Devi explained in more detail which areas of the brain were not affected by the disease. It was Gaitari Devi who first diagnosed Bennett with a neurological disorder.
“So another characteristic of music is that it activates the emotional centers of the brain. Because music is a component of many brain regions, including brain regions associated with emotions, listening to music makes us more sensitive to emotion.
During a performance in 2015, the singer realized something was wrong when she couldn’t remember the names of the musicians she played with. Later footage of Bennett during rehearsals with Gaga showed Bennett appearing “lost and confused” at times and missing words when he actually spoke. It became clear that it appeared to have stopped.
Because Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease, its symptoms often result in ongoing loss of thinking, behavior, and social skills, and the inability of the patient to live independently.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and occurs when nerve cells stop communicating with each other. Additionally, the affected person’s brain produces less chemical messengers, which interfere with the transmission of signals.
Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease often include memory loss, but other symptoms appear as the condition worsens.
Alzheimer’s symptoms can also affect a person’s personality and behavior, making some people socially withdrawn, depressed, or irritable.
In November 2021, after her Love for Sale album was nominated for six Grammy Awards, Gaga opened up about how “heartbreaking” it was to witness Bennett’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She said, “I can’t put into words how much I’ve learned from him or what it’s been like to sing with a legend over the years. I’ve been singing with Tony for about 10 years. However, it is difficult to see the effects of his Alzheimer’s disease first-hand, and I would also like to share this with any listeners who know someone who has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and is currently experiencing difficulties in their lives. I think, put on their old music when you’re with your loved ones, and I promise they’ll suddenly come alive.” There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but some research suggests that singing and listening to music may be beneficial for people with emotional and behavioral problems. For people with this condition, listening to music can reduce anxiety and stress.
