Lady Gaga Pays Tribute to ‘True Friend’ Tony Bennett One Week After His Death
As Lady Gaga mourns the death of legendary singer Tony Bennett, she's opening up about the heartbreak of losing a best friend.
In a sweet tribute shared to her Instagram grid on Monday, July 31, the pop star posted a picture of the two hugging alongside the caption, "I will miss my friend forever. I will miss singing with him, recording with him, talking with him, being on stage together."
Gaga, 37, went on to describe the "magical power" she had with Bennett.
"I got to live my life in a time warp," she said. "We transported ourselves to another era, modernized the music together, & gave it all new life as a singing duo. But it wasnt an act. Our relationship was very real."
She also detailed her personal and professional relationship with Bennett, writing, "Sure he taught me about music, about showbiz life, but he also showed me how to keep my spirits high and my head screwed on straight."
"'Straight ahead,' he'd say. He was an optimist, he believed in quality work AND quality life," Gaga continued. "Plus, there was the gratitude...Tony was always grateful."
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Though Bennett passed away on July 21 at 96, the "Born This Way" songstress said she had "been grieving the loss of Tony for a long time," presumably referring to the progression of his Alzheimer's diagnosis, which he received in 2016.
"Losing Tony to Alzheimer’s has been painful but it was also really beautiful," Gaga explained. "An era of memory loss is such a sacred time in a persons life. There's such a feeling of vulnerability and a desire to preserve dignity."
Related: A Remarkable Life in Pictures: Tony Bennett Through the Years
"All I wanted was for Tony to remember how much I loved him and how grateful I was to have him in my life," she added. "But, as that faded slowly I knew deep down he was sharing with me the most vulnerable moment in his life that he could--being willing to sing with me when his nature was changing so deeply. I'll never forget this experience. I'll never forget Tony Bennett."
The Grammy-winning singer concluded with a life lesson, "If I could say anything to the world about this I would say don’t discount your elders, don’t leave them behind when things change. Don’t flinch when you feel sad, just keep going straight ahead, sadness is part of it. Take care of your elders and I promise you will learn something special. Maybe even magical."
"And pay attention to silence—some of my musical partner and I’s most meaningful exchanges were with no melody at all.I love you Tony. Love, Lady."
Gaga's sentimental post is the latest tribute shared by those who adored Bennett. Other A-listers who have honored his memory include his wife Susan, actress Bette Midler, Elton John and Billy Joel, among many others.
Next: Tony Bennett's Last Song Before His Death Shared by Team: 'Still Singing'