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Jazz legend Tony Bennett turns 90

Nineteen-time Grammy winner, legendary entertainer and New York City native Tony Bennett celebrates his 90th birthday today.

Famous for chart-toppers including Because of You, Rags to Riches, and his signature song, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, the newly turned nonagenarian has no plans of retiring and is in talks with Lady Gaga about a second album.

“It feels great to be 90! Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I’m just getting started,” said Bennett.

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Tony Bennett: “It feels great to be 90!”

To honour Bennett’s musical legacy, Lady Gaga has arranged for a special event to take place at the Empire State Building tonight that will be live-streamed across the globe.

The star-studded birthday festivities will be held at the Rainbow Room in New York and will be highlighted by Lady Gaga flipping the switch to light up the Empire State as well as a performance for invited guests.

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Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett at The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building will present a dynamic, choreographed music-to-light show followed by a light display of the Italian and American flag colours in acknowledgement of Bennett’s Italian-American heritage.

Bennett said: “I can’t believe Lady Gaga will be lighting the Empire State Building for my birthday!

“Growing up in New York City, it is an absolute thrill to have the Empire State Building celebrate my musical career and to have this beautiful presentation of lights and music taking place on such a special day in my life.”

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The Empire State Building

Fans around the world can watch the live stream of Bennett’s birthday cake presentation and light show on Facebook Live and Twitter at 01:30am August 4th in the UK.

The light show will also stream live on the Empire State Building’s YouTube page.

A keen painter with several painting updates for fans in the past week, the Empire State Building will also display Bennett’s original artwork in their Fifth Avenue Lobby exhibition space from now until September 6th.

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Tony Bennett painting last summer

Bennett’s birthday honours continue throughout the year with several projects commemorating the milestone including a prime-time television special, concerts, a new book, new music and new video releases.

On September 15th, Bennett will tape Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet To Come, a TV special dedicated to his 90th year at Radio City Music Hall.

The first names announced to appear in the special joining Bennett include: Michael Bublé, Lady Gaga, Billy Joel, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, John Travolta, Steve Buscemi, Kevin Spacey, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder.

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Tony Bennett: “I’m just getting started.”

The two-hour special will air on NBC on December 20th with those in the UK hoping to catch the show online.

Bennett’s fifth book, entitled Just Getting Started, will be released on November 15th.

The book will feature talks about who and what have enriched Bennett’s own life, including Frank Sinatra, Charlie Chaplin, Judy Garland, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Cole Porter, Amy Winehouse, Fred Astaire, Lady Gaga, members of his family, significant places and more.

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Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra grab some hot dogs in their tuxedos between shows in 1965. “Frank was my best friend. As far as I’m concerned, he will never die,” said Bennett.

Hopefully a return to the UK for a small tour will be in the works next!

Birthday wishes from friends and fans around the world have poured in online with the hashtag #Tony90.

Here are a selection of the best #Tony90 Tweets:

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