BY JIMI FITZ
SO many great memories flooding back to me today upon hearing of his passing at the age of 96.
I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Tony when I was a young booking agent in NYC at APA (Agency for the Performing Arts). That was the early 80’s before his MTV unplugged appearance catapulted his career.
At the time, APA represented both Tony and his son Danny who had a 3 piece punk band called NEON that played clubs up and down the East Coast. Each band member sported Red, Orange and Blue hair hence the name. But they never gained any traction so they broke up, that’s when Danny decided to became his father’s manager.
Experiencing a career lull, Tony needed to do something to reinvent himself and broaden his audience. I suggested to my boss Roger Vorce at APA that he do a series of shows in New York at various venues like Carnegie Hall, Village Vanguard, Bottom Line and Marty’s. We would tape the shows, edit them together include interviews and let RCA SELECTAVISION use it as a loss leader since they were just launching their video LASER DISC. We would also include Tony’s art by taping an art premiere at Tavern on the Green.
Roger thought about it and finally decided he liked the idea. He called me into his office and said “Jim I need you to go meet with Tony Bennett about your idea. Make sure you don’t have any change in your pockets, Tony doesn’t trust a man who jingles his change”
I went to Tony’s home at the Claridge’s on 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan. He was painting at the time, so he liked the idea of playing NY venues and showcasing his art. We billed it as his homecoming.
I arranged for my former TV partner, director Vincent Scarza (Scarza/Fitzgerald Productions), to direct the show and the rest is history. Copies still exist on EBAY.
Tony could be seen all over Midtown back in those days always wearing his sneakers. I had the pleasure of visiting with him several times at the Claridge’s where it turns out my wife Wendy worked at the same time in the same building at Don Kirshner Productions. She remembers greeting Tony in the elevator on many occasions. Serendipity!
Fast forward to the mid 90’s. I was Marketing Director for SW RADIO NETWORKS in New York. We handled the audio simulcasts for the A&E Television series LIVE BY REQUEST. I got to reunite with Tony for the broadcast of his live performance. A special evening that once again included his art.
Needless to say, he was a unique one of a kind, performer and an amazing human being both on and off the stage. What an incredible life he lived, influencing so many. It was a huge blessing for me to have worked with such a legend, I will cherish the memories forever.
So many goosebump freeze frames of our times together but #1 has to be standing on the stage of Carnegie Hall with him during soundcheck. Thanks for the memories Tony! You will forever be in my heart.
