The world famous American singer Tony Bennett (96) has passed away. It makes for a special Friday for its Eindhoven namesake. “I’ve been getting messages from friends and acquaintances all day. Some thought I had died for a moment when they heard the news,” says Tony Bennett, 35.
American singer Tony Bennett is considered a legend. He has been singing since the 1940s and scored hits with songs like Because of You and I left my heart in San Francisco. Bennett has performed on stage with singers such as Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, recorded duets with Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra and was still high in the charts this century with two CDs in which he sang with Lady Gaga.
“Tony Bennett is not well known in the Netherlands. But abroad it is,” said Tony from Eindhoven, who works in logistics. “I have many international clients. They always ask if I’m related or make comments about my name. I’m approached about it at least twice a day.”
“My parents had never heard of the famous singer”
Sometimes he says that the famous singer is his uncle. However, he is not related. “Not even remotely. Tony Bennett’s real name was Anthony Benedetto and his family had emigrated to America from Italy. My ancestors are from England.”
So there is no relationship whatsoever. In fact, Tony’s parents had never heard of the famous singer before their Tony. “My father was called Bennett with his last name and they just thought Tony was a beautiful name. It was only after the birth registration that people asked if I was named after the singer. Who? They then asked.”
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From an early age, Tony follows the well-known singer. There is no mourning for his death. “He had a very nice life with a woman forty years his junior who took good care of him when he got Alzheimer’s disease. He loved the good life. That’s how I feel about it. You should celebrate life and not mourn death.”
“At KLM we got an upgrade because they thought I was the famous singer”
Having a famous namesake does you no harm. Tony from Eindhoven even got an upgrade on a KLM flight because they thought he was the famous singer. “A friend had booked those tickets and was asked if he could go with the Tony Bennett travelled. He said yes and then we got an upgrade, although the cabin crew later thought I was a bit young to be the singer,” laughs Tony.
It is not possible to record a CD yourself. “I can’t sing, I stick to karaoke. But I do appreciate Bennett’s music, especially his duets with Lady Gaga.”
Although the singer is now deceased, Tony often thinks he is reminded of his namesake. “Especially now, now that he is all over the media because of his death. Now all Dutch people know him.”
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