Most of the artists featured on this site have passed-on into the pages of history but Tony Bennett remains a vital and talented link to the past who still performs today. Relatively clean living and loads of throat exercises seemed to to have benefited this performer in the long run. He remained based in New York while his closest friends like Sinatra "Painted the Town Red" in L.A. I saw Sinatra and Jerry Vale in Atlantic City in their twilight years (Jerry Vale still performs) and it was a thrill but only Tony Bennett can still deliver the way he did years ago. Like Jolsen must have been, it was an amazing display of vocal prowess (he didn't really need a microphone 'cause his voice was THAT POWERFUL). Unlike Sinatra and many of his contempories, Bennett never excelled at MCing television shows or starring in films (yes he did some acting) but he remains the only superstar from that era that competes and appears in MTV awards (clever campaigning by his son/manager). Now let's relish in this glowing revue from Robert Dana about the young sensation he witnessed in New York.

Tips on Tables - By Robert W. Dana - February 12, 1958

Bennett Is Back at The Copa

Jules Podell last night made a change in the lineup of stars at his Copacabana that met with the approval of the audience. In fact, there was such ready acceptance of Tony Bennett and company that one wonders why this show can't go on for many weeks. But such is the rule of booking expedients that Tony is only in for a breather. So let's breathe along with Tony, a lad with a real solid voice, a lad whose Columbia recordings have thrilled everybody of the nation. This boy makes no attempt to be cute. He's satisfied with himself in the original. And when he sing you can close your eyes and swing along or dream along with him. That's what the Copa customers did last night, as the first group of songs took in "Just in Time, "Rags to Riches", Taking a Chance on Love," "Because of You," "Anything but Love," "Without a Song,""One for My Baby" and "Pennies from Heaven."

Drum Background

Enhancing the effect of the Bennett performance was the special background of the Sabu and Candido, drummers and jazz flutist Herbie Mann. I had to leave before they supported Tony in "Beat of my Heart," but they did right well with him on "Solitude" and "Lullaby of Broadway." There are six or eight more Tony bennet numbers that you'll hear at the Copacabana, but I'll let them remain a secret. But it's no secret that there is plenty more show at the E. 60th St. club, with the beautiful Copa girls in several production numbers and the featured acts. The show opens with the beautiful Paulette Sisters, three blonde, look-alike sisters. who harmonize well and generate considerable energy. They are followed by Rowan and Martin, comedians, who have been exposed previously to the Copa.

Promising Team

Rowan and Martin, I believe, have the ability to become the top comedy team of this country. Their material is clean, their presentation extremely bright. Their material brought moderate laughs from the audience. I would put them in a class with a Triple-A ballplayer. I hope next time they'll break all records in the laugh league. The Copa girls still do well with the production numbers, backed by Michael Durso's fine band.