Music
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga's Enduring Duet Still Sings at Julien’s
An artistic partnership for the ages...
April 13, 2024
At first glance, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga seem like an unlikely pairing. A legendary jazz crooner and a flamboyant pop icon – their careers stemmed from vastly different eras and musical landscapes. Yet, they meshed harmoniously and resonated with audiences worldwide.
Sheet music for "That's Why the Lady is a Tramp" as performed by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on the 2011 album, Duets II. The first page is inscribed in black marker "Dear Tony / I'll Always be / your tramp. / Happy 85th! / Love / Lady / Gaga" with a sketch of Bennett holding her hand with additional note reading, "Love you!"
Julien's Auctions celebrates Bennett's remarkable life and artistic legacy in our upcoming auction, “Tony Bennett: A Life Well-Lived”. We delve into the captivating musical relationship between these two titans of song, and offer to you an array of artifacts representing their love and artistic companionship.
Cartier 18K rose gold automatic "Cle De Cartier" wrist watch, REF. 3847
Of automatic mechanical movement, the silver guilloche dial with blued steel hands, blue Roman numerals, window for date, within a heavy 18k rose gold case, the verso with display window to movement, joined to a brown leather strap with deployant buckle. Case measuring 40mm, 7 inches. The deployant engraved, "TONY GAGA (heart) 08.03.2016."
Dial, case back, movement and deployant signed Cartier. Verso with Swiss assay marks, no. 3847, 29487VX. Movement no. 1847 MC.
A chance encounter at a charity gala in 2011 spurred their bond. Gaga, already an admirer of Bennett, captivated the seasoned maestro with her rendition of a jazz standard. Recognizing a kindred spirit, Bennett proposed a daring collaboration: a jazz album.
A thank you note from Lady Gaga to Tony Bennett handwritten in black marker on a photocopy of a portrait sketch that Bennett drew of Gaga. The note reads, "Tony, / I (heart) you. You really / are beyond special. / Thank you for believing / in me. / Love, / Lady / Gaga."
Their fruitful partnership was on full display with their first album, "Cheek to Cheek," and was a resounding success landing as a vibrant reimagining of classic American songbook tunes. Bennett's smooth delivery perfectly complemented Gaga's powerful vocals. Their chemistry was undeniable, not just vocally, but in their genuine respect and affection for each other.
Tony Bennett (American, 1926-2023) A pencil sketch of Lady Gaga that was featured on the cover of the 2021 album "Love for Sale," signed "Benedetto" lower right. A promotional video for the album featuring the song "I Concentrate On You" captured Bennett as he was sketching this portrait of Gaga live in the video below.
"Love for Sale," the pair’s follow-up album, solidified their musical connection. This Grammy-winning collaboration further cemented their place as a unique and successful duo, proving that age is no barrier to artistic exploration. Bennett and Gaga’s live performances were electrifying masterclasses in musicality and showmanship.
A pair of nude photographs of Lady Gaga as shot by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair's January 2012 issue. The verso is inscribed "17839 VNF AL q2B 09|15|2011" with a sticker that reads "not final for reference only." Tony Bennett painted a portrait of Gaga while she posed for the photoshoot.
Beyond the awards and accolades, their collaboration exceeded the realm of music. It served as a heartwarming display of mutual respect between generations. Gaga credited Bennett with reigniting her passion for music, while Bennett marveled at Gaga's boundless talent and dedication to the craft.
Theirs was a friendship forged in music, a testament to the unifying power of song. As we honor Tony Bennett's incredible career, we celebrate this remarkable melodic partnership in American music history.
