READ THIS: ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE: The Life of Tony Bennett By David Evanier
How many of you know that Tony Bennett's paintings are in the Smithsonian? Once you read All the Things You Are's Introduction you'll know...this book, told from the point of view of the author (not Tony himself) recounts a life that is full, vivacious, talented and collegial as currently referenced by his second duets album...we love both the first and second duets albums by Tony, especially his duet with Lady Gaga in the second. And who gave him a dozen red roses each time he wrote a new song? Read this book and you'll find out.
photography by Gregory Partanio
Tony grew up in New York; when the Triboro Bridge was opened he stood next to Mayor LaGuardia and sang in 1936. He fought in World War II in Europe, and Bob Hope performed for the group he was in. The photos in this book add to the story and we particularly like the age one photo of Tony. Married at St. Patrick's Cathedral and performing all over the best venues of Manhattan, Tony is the quintessential New Yorker. On August 24, 1962 he sang 44 songs at Carnegie Hall...what performer does that today? He also sang for President Kennedy that year...at The White House.
Tony Bennett is a classic that cannot possibly be improved upon professionally. You don't need us to tell you he is a living legend and for that reason alone the whole world is curious about him and that is one reason why you should read this book. We totally admire his enduring authenticity which is rare today and a quality we try to embrace as much as possible as well. This book is full of interesting tidbits: Madonna only agreed to accept Billboard's lifetime achievement award if her favorite singer presented it to her, and guess who that was! The guy in the above photo with Peachy...and Tony if you ever do anything a capella Peachy was a Perilhette.
Tony, we hope we see you in Central Park someday sketching...This of course would be better if Tony wrote it himself, but it is well worth a read. And, we can personally vouch for the fact that he is one of the best entertainers we have ever, ever met at a charity event: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/05/tony-bennett-and-peachy-deegan-at-sing.html
***
I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Rags to Riches, and All the Things You Are are part of the American musical lexicon but never before has a biography been written about the golden voice behind those classics. Now from Wiley, publishers of Heaven and Hell by Don Felder and Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga by Ian Christie arrives the first complete biography of legendary crooner, Tony Bennett.
Among America's greatest entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ray Charles, and Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett alone is still here and at the top of his game. For the first time in All the Things You Are: The Life of Tony Bennett; (July 2011; ISBN: 978-0-470-52065-9; Cloth / 352 Pages / $26.96) award-winning biographer David Evanier reveals the toughness, integrity, humanity, imagination and courage behind Bennett’s gentle, smiling persona. He traces Bennett’s impoverished New York City childhood, liberating a concentration camp and fighting for civil rights, his first chart-topping hits, his devastating personal and career battles and addiction in the 1970's, his stunning comeback and emergence as a musical statesman, America's troubadour, role model and mentor, and unmatched interpreter of the American songbook -- Superstar.
All the Things You Are includes the following:
· An intimate, candid, and unvarnished look at the amazing life of one of America's most enduring musical icons
· Insights based on dozens of author interviews with Bennett's family members, agents, musicians, composers and managers, and experts on the last fifty years of popular music
· Fresh stories involving leading figures and entertainers of the twentieth-century, including Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fiorello LaGuardia, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ray Charles, Dean Martin, Billie Holliday, and more
Whether you've been a Tony Bennett fan for decades or are just discovering him, All the Things You Are will deepen your understanding of this hugely gifted entertainer and his music.
About the Author:
David Evanier is a critically acclaimed and award-winning author of both fiction and non-fiction. He was formerly senior editor at The Paris Review and assistant editor of The New Leader.
***
I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Rags to Riches, and All the Things You Are are part of the American musical lexicon but never before has a biography been written about the golden voice behind those classics. Now from Wiley, publishers of Heaven and Hell by Don Felder and Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga by Ian Christie arrives the first complete biography of legendary crooner, Tony Bennett.
Among America's greatest entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ray Charles, and Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett alone is still here and at the top of his game. For the first time in All the Things You Are: The Life of Tony Bennett; (July 2011; ISBN: 978-0-470-52065-9; Cloth / 352 Pages / $26.96) award-winning biographer David Evanier reveals the toughness, integrity, humanity, imagination and courage behind Bennett’s gentle, smiling persona. He traces Bennett’s impoverished New York City childhood, liberating a concentration camp and fighting for civil rights, his first chart-topping hits, his devastating personal and career battles and addiction in the 1970's, his stunning comeback and emergence as a musical statesman, America's troubadour, role model and mentor, and unmatched interpreter of the American songbook -- Superstar.
All the Things You Are includes the following:
· An intimate, candid, and unvarnished look at the amazing life of one of America's most enduring musical icons
· Insights based on dozens of author interviews with Bennett's family members, agents, musicians, composers and managers, and experts on the last fifty years of popular music
· Fresh stories involving leading figures and entertainers of the twentieth-century, including Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fiorello LaGuardia, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ray Charles, Dean Martin, Billie Holliday, and more
Whether you've been a Tony Bennett fan for decades or are just discovering him, All the Things You Are will deepen your understanding of this hugely gifted entertainer and his music.
About the Author:
David Evanier is a critically acclaimed and award-winning author of both fiction and non-fiction. He was formerly senior editor at The Paris Review and assistant editor of The New Leader.
***
If you are on the West Coast for New Year's Eve, we suggest you check out Mover and Shaker Jenna Esposito's concert-she will be performing Tony Bennett: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Ring-In-The-New-Year-With-Jenna-Esposito-.html?soid=1101554178919&aid=ijvpmhHFtts
If you are on the West Coast for New Year's Eve, we suggest you check out Mover and Shaker Jenna Esposito's concert-she will be performing Tony Bennett: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Ring-In-The-New-Year-With-Jenna-Esposito-.html?soid=1101554178919&aid=ijvpmhHFtts
