Bill Clinton, Susan Bennett, and Tony Bennett pose with Bill Clinton’s tie.Photo: WireImage
Tony Bennett’s pop-culture relevance may have quietly passed away long ago (his tour this year is sponsored by the AARP), but to a certain subset of the population, the octogenarian’s still a heartthrob. At last night’s sold-out “The Best Is Yet to Come” concert at Radio City Music Hall, the crowd was still screaming, “I love you, Tony!” Just like the fifties! A benefit for the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts that Bennett founded, the show featured collaborators from his last year’s Duets album: a shaky James Taylor, a preternaturally dapper John Legend, and k.d. lang, who even got an (admittedly squandered) onstage kiss from the silver stud. After the concert, the crowd moved across the street to the Rockefeller Center Summer Garden. Bill Clinton arrived late because he was stopped at the Cucina & Co. market down the hall. “He’s getting food? That could take a while!” cracked Regis, stalling during introductions. Oh, Regis! When he finally arrived, the former Pres and Reeg traded tales of Bennett’s painting acumen. During one interview, the leathery Live host said Tony actually took out the brushes. “And I still have that portrait today!” Later, packages, like original Annie Leibovitz prints and private tennis lessons with Andre Agassi, were auctioned off for the charity. The night’s biggest seller? A watercolor, by Mr. Tony Bennett. —Amos Barshad
