Tony Bennett's big break came in 1949 when comedian Bob Hope noticed him working with Pearl Bailey in Greenwich Village. As he recalls, "Bob Hope came down to check out my act. He liked my singing so much that after the show he came back to see me in my dressing room and said, ‘Come on kid, you're going to come to the Paramount and sing with me.' But first he told me he didn't care for my stage name (Joe Bari) and asked me what my real name was. I told him, ‘My name is Anthony Dominick Benedetto,' and he said, ‘We'll call you Tony Bennett.' And that's how it happened. A new Americanized name, the start of a wonderful career and a glorious adventure that has continued for sixty years."
With worldwide record sales in the millions, and dozens of platinum and gold albums to his credit, Bennett has received fifteen Grammy Awards including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
For her part, Lady Gaga released her debut album, "The Fame," in 2008, winning Grammys for Electronic/Dance Album and Dance Recording (for "Poker Face"), and earning five #1 hits. Her follow-up, "The Fame Monster," produced the smash singles "Bad Romance" and "Telephone," and recently received three Grammys, including Female Pop Vocal Performance (for "Bad Romance"), Pop Vocal Album and Short Form Music Video (for "Bad Romance"). "The Fame" and "The Fame Monster" have sold more than 15 million copies combined.
The two sing together on Bennett's upcoming album of duets, performing 'The Lady is a Tramp' from Rodgers and Hart's BABES IN ARMS - get a preview below!
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