Thanks to Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr., and Rod Stewart's successful albums honoring the 'Great American Songbook,' more and more music fans are discovering or re-discovering some of the greatest songs that have stood the test of time.  However, there are a few of those 'original' crooners still out there, like 87 year-old Tony Bennett (Born Aug. 3, 1926).

In a recent concert at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, Tony Bennett strolled along the stage with a big smile, powerful voice, and the stage presence of an entertainer half his age. The fact that the Queens, New York native is one of the last living links to the days of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Rosemany Clooney, and the first generation of popular music stars is reason enough to be appreciative of his live show. However, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Winner has still got it!

Effortlessly belting out one classic after another, 'One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)' 'The Way You Look Tonight' and 'The Good Life', Bennett is a class act that shows no sign of slowing down as he approaches upper senior status. In addition to his pleasant voice, delightful audience interaction included the stories of how Mitch Miller had to persuade him to record his monster hit 'Cold, Cold Heart' (because it was a country song penned by Hank Williams), working with Lady Gaga, reminiscing about his friend Rosemary Clooney, and admitting that Bob Hope helped him pick his stage name.

One might think that someone who made their first record in 1949 might be a little 'burnt out' or 'past their prime' in 2013, but not Tony Bennett.  In addition to his best selling duets projects he's released over the past decade, it's clear Tony Bennett still loves to entertain and he's still in demand! If you ever have the chance to see Tony Bennett live, go! This legend's concert is one of your final chances to see one of America's 'original' crooners perform songs that were hits when he was a young star.  Like Bennett himself, these songs have now been enshrined in the 'Great American Songbook,' his own classics like 'Rags To Riches' 'I Left My Heart In San Fransisco' 'In The Middle Of An Island' and 'I Wanna Be Around.'

Bennett is also an accomplished painter, under his real name Anthony Benedetto, and the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.

 

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