“Forgetfulness is a form of freedom.” – Kahlil Gibran
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Tony Bennett was among my father’s favorite singers. Each night, prior to retiring for the evening, he would listen to several of Bennett’s songs.
The current generation may not be familiar with Bennett, yet he was a renowned American jazz and traditional pop vocalist. He garnered numerous honors, including 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. It is reported that he sold over 50 million records globally and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
However, I am confident that today’s generations are acquainted with Lady Gaga. With an estimated record sales of 124 million, she ranks as one of the most successful music artists in history. Esteemed publications like Billboard and Rolling Stone have recognized her as one of the greatest artists of all time.
I first became aware of Lady Gaga when she starred in the film, A Star Is Born. Interestingly, I watched it in a cinema located somewhere in New York. It was my friend, Atty. Nicolas “Nick” Caraquel, who brought me to the place.
I was unaware that Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga performed together in a concert. Through my research, I discovered that it was titled, “One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.” This concert, which was broadcast on CBS, took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It commemorated Bennett’s 95th birthday and marked his last public performance prior to his retirement from touring as a result of Alzheimer’s disease.
Why am I highlighting the concert? It’s because of the event that transpired during the event. Here’s what happened, according to a report which I read in post which appeared in the social media:
When Tony Bennett began losing his memory to Alzheimer’s, Lady Gaga became his emotional anchor. “He saved my life, and now I’m trying to save his,” she said softly.
It all came together on a warm summer night in New York — Tony Bennett’s final concert.
Backstage, Lady Gaga was trembling. She had sung before millions but tonight felt different. Tony’s Alzheimer’s had worsened. Some days, he didn’t remember her name. Yet when the curtain lifted, and the spotlight hit his face, something miraculous happened.
She walked him to the microphone, whispering, “You ready, Tony?”
He looked at her, paused… then smiled. “I’m always ready when you are, Lady Gaga.”
The audience gasped. For weeks, he hadn’t called her by name. She covered her mouth, tears filling her eyes. Later, she said, “That moment — I’ll never forget it. It was like watching the music bring him back to life.”
As they sang “The Lady Is a Tramp,” she held his hand tightly, afraid to let go. Every lyric felt like goodbye. When he hit the final note, the crowd rose in thunderous applause — not just for the song, but for the man who refused to fade quietly.
After the show, Gaga sat beside him in the dressing room. He looked at her with that same gentle smile. “You’re the greatest,” he said softly. She could barely speak. “No, Tony,” she whispered, “you are.”
In that instant, she wasn’t a superstar — just a friend holding on to the last fragments of a legend’s light.
Months later, after he passed, Gaga said through tears, “He saved my life when I was lost. I only hope I made him feel loved when he started to forget.”
That night wasn’t just his final performance — it was proof that music could hold a soul together, even as memory slipped away.
Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive brain disorder, is more common among the elderly. “Alzheimer’s occurs very rarely among those 40-50 years old, increases between 60 and 65, and is very common over 80,” says Dr. Simeon Maragisan, a professor at the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Santo Tomas.
“About 5% of men and 6% of women over 60 years of age are affected with Alzheimer’s,” informs Dr. Wang Xiangdong, who was adviser of the mental health and control substance abuse program of the regional office of the World Health Organization at the time when interviewed by this columnist.
Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic condition that necessitates significant care and affection from family members. Caring for an individual with this illness can be both challenging and stressful, as noted by Dr. Miguel A. Ramos, Jr., the former director of the geriatric center at St. Luke’s Medical Center.
“People with Alzheimer’s have difficulty in recognizing relatives, friends and even themselves when facing a mirror,” Dr. Ramos explained. “They have difficulty understanding and interpreting events, have difficulty walking and finding their way around the house.
“They also would have bladder and bowel incontinence and therefore personal hygiene is a challenge for anyone taking care of an Alzheimer’s patient. They also have inappropriate behavior in public or just plain combative and aggressive to the caregiver or loved ones. Or they may be passive and confine themselves to a wheelchair or bed,” he continued.
Alzheimer’s disease represents the most prevalent form of dementia, which encompasses a range of symptoms that impact memory, cognitive function, and social interactions, ultimately disrupting daily activities. “While dementia is a general term, Alzheimer’s disease is a specific brain disease,” says the Mayo Clinic.
