Legendary singer Tony Bennett has Alzheimer’s disease and was diagnosed in 2016, according to a profile in AARP magazine.
At the recommendation of his neurologist, the 94-year-old man continued to tour and record music after his diagnosis and, because of the “peculiar power” of music to awaken deep memories in dementia patients, “the public and critics never suspected your condition “.
Bennett continued to record and tour until March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic ended live musical performances.
Since then, his condition has worsened, his caregivers told AARP.
“How therapeutically beneficial it had been for Tony soon became obvious when his world was reduced to the limits of his apartment,” Dr. Gayatri Devi, Bennett’s neurologist, told the magazine.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, a term that refers to the loss of cognitive functions like thinking and remembering. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 million people have Alzheimer’s disease, which is believed to be caused by the accumulation of certain proteins in the brain.
Describing him today as free from some of the worst symptoms of the disease – anger, disorientation – the magazine noted that there is still “little doubt that the disease has progressed”.
AARP reported that Bennett’s “increasingly rare moments of clarity” show how far the disease has progressed; a fork and a set of house keys were “totally mysterious to him.”
Lady Gaga’s future collaboration with Bennett, recorded from 2018 to 2020 and scheduled for release this spring, was among the projects that helped slow the progression of her condition, the magazine noted.
Bennett’s son Danny and his wife, Susan Crow, said they decided to share the news about Bennett’s condition because they know he will not be able to give promotional interviews for the new album.
They are supposedly looking forward to “as many ears as possible to hear and enjoy what may well be Tony Bennett’s last record”.
In an email, Danny Bennett said that serving as his father’s manager “was a privilege and an incredible journey.”
“He never ceases to inspire me with his passion and dedication to all that life has to offer. The past four years have been no exception. He continues to sing and keep in shape daily. I speak for the whole family thanking him for his wonderful wife, Susan, for all the support and love she has given him. “
“Our wish is that, by openly sharing your challenges with Alzheimer’s disease, we can give hope to everyone who faces this condition and help end the stigma surrounding this disease. Above all, we want to be able to help increase the awareness, advocates of advancing new therapies and one day soon, finding a cure. ”
Diana Dasrath contributed.