Elton John and Tony Bennett (Jeff Vespa/VF12/WireImage)Tony Bennett turns 90 on Wednesday, and in celebration of his milestone birthday, NBC will honor the legendary crooner with a star-studded blowout bash that will air in December. Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come will feature performances by Elton John and Billy Joel, as well as such other acclaimed artists as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Diana Krall, k.d. lang and Bennett’s recent duet partner, Lady Gaga.
Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Kevin Spacey, John Travolta, Bruce Willis and even Homer Simpson also will appear on the special, which airs December 20 at 9 p.m. ET. NBC had previously aired an 80th birthday tribute to Bennett and, says network chairman Robert Greenblatt, “It only seemed fitting that we should also stop and pay tribute to his 90th, a true milestone for the greatest living vocalist of popular music.”
Bennett said in a statement, “I turn 90 tomorrow and feel like I’m just getting started and look forward to each day…I have loved performing for the public and sharing the music I love with the world.”
The Grammy-winning star adds, “It’s a thrill to have NBC air a special in honor of my birthday…[a]nd to have so many wonderful artists that I have worked with and admire participate.”
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
