Lady Gaga Pays Tribute To Tony Bennett One Year After Passing

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett joined forces to release heartfelt renditions of jazz standards, captivating the world.

Both artists performed together at various events and on television, including a PBS special and a tour. Their partnership introduced jazz to a whole new generation, proving that this classic genre is forever. It showcased Gaga's amazing versatility as an artist and Bennett's timeless talent, creating a dazzling fusion of old-school charm and modern flair.

Sadly, Tony Bennett passed away last year, and Lady Gaga is paying tribute to her late friend in a new Instagram post.

Tony Bennett passed away on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy.

"Without doubt the classiest singer, man, and performer you will ever see," Sir Elton John said at the time of his passing. "He's irreplaceable. I loved and adored him. Condolences to Susan, Danny and the family."

In 2021, Bennett revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016.

In a heartfelt post featuring a black and white photo of Gaga and Bennett, the "Poker Face" artist paid tribute to the late singer.

"It’s been one year since Tony passed away," she began. "This picture says it all. 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."

"We’re gonna keep on swingin’. Miss you," she added. "Life is a beautiful thing."

Last year, after Bennett's passing in July, Gaga celebrated what would have been his 97th birthday with a heartfelt tribute.

"I'll celebrate you every time I'm on stage singing jazz music, every time I'm with your family, every time I walk down the streets of New York I'll look around and remember all you did for this city and the whole world," she wrote on Instagram at the time, per ABC.

Shortly after the news broke, President Joe Biden paid tribute to the late singer with the following statement: "For more than 70 years, Tony Bennett didn't just sing the classics, he himself was an American classic. Resisting the pull to adjust his style to fit in with the times, his distinct voice gave melody and rhythm about the good life, how the best is yet to come, the way you look tonight, and leaving your heart in San Francisco," he said."

"Starting out as a singing waiter in New York City, he became one of America's most beloved performers, selling tens of millions of records and winning over generations of fans. He always found new audiences and collaborators to enchant, the mark of a truly timeless artist," he continued before noting how "he helped liberate prisoners at a subcamp of Dachau" and how he "joined the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery."

"He performed for Nelson Mandela, John F. Kennedy, and Queen Elizabeth II and recorded music with everyone from the Count Basie Orchestra to Lady Gaga. Bob Hope gave him his stage name," Biden added. "Frank Sinatra was his mentor. There's no doubt about it: Tony Bennett's life was legendary. And his contributions to the arts in America will endure."

Last year, after Tony Bennett passed away, his wife, Susan Benedetto (née Crow), and his eldest son, Danny, shared a joint statement on Instagram, per Us Weekly.

“Thank you to all the fans, friends, and colleagues of Tony’s who celebrated his life and humanity and shared their love of him and his musical legacy. From his first performances as a singing waiter in Queens to his last performances in 2021 at Radio City Music Hall, Tony delighted in performing the songs he loved and making people happy," they said.

“And as sad as today has been for all of us we can find joy in Tony’s legacy forever,” the statement concluded.