Music Icon, Tony Bennett Blames United States for 9/11

America's beloved music icon, Tony Bennett was recently on the Howard Stern show and held nothing back. Was it his age (85), side effects from his meds, or early dementia? Who knows? But even the unflappable Stern was surprised.

The vintage singer, enjoying a come-back at the age of 85, certainly disappointed his many fans with his remarks.. Sitting down with Stern, Bennett dodged questions about his prior drug use and sex life, but not his feelings about the U.S. military and 9/11.

Reflecting on his Army service in World War II, Bennett said that seeing a "dead German" along with his experiences in combat, forever changed his position on war.

"I'm anti-war," he said, "It's the lowest form of human behavior."

Stern then asked Bennett how America should deal with terrorists, specifically those responsible for the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

Bennett replied, "But who are the terrorists? Are we terrorists or are they the terrorists? Two wrongs don't make a right. They flew the planes in, but we caused it. We were bombing them, and they told us to stop."

Bennett also confided to Stern in a hushed voice that President Bush told him that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were mistakes. Bush has denied this.

This is not the first time the crooner expressed his pacifism. At the 1998 World Series Bennett refused to sing the Star Spangled Banner because of the line, "bombs bursting in air." He sang "America the Beautiful" instead.

Bennett was born Anthony Dominic Benedetto in Queens, New York on August 3, 1926. His father was a grocer and his mother was a seamstress.

After serving in World War II, where he saw active combat, and was involved in the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp, he went to college on the G I Bill. He majored in classical voice and art.

Following college, he began singing in local clubs where he attracted the attention of singer Pearl Bailey. She introduced him to Bob Hope, who helped make him a star.

He became a huge success in his day, along with Perry Como, Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra. However, his success was matched by aching lows.

He had two divorces and for a time was estranged from his four children. By the 1970's his career was ailing. He had no record label and was performing only in Vegas. He developed drug and alcohol problems. He had financial problems and was hounded by the IRS.

He was depressed and suicidal when he reached out to his son, Danny who was in the music business. Danny suggested he jump start his career by appealing to a young audience. Bennett hired Danny as his manager.

Danny got him into hip shows like the Simpsons and Unplugged, and the rest is history. A whole new generation is on to the great standards by composers such as Cole Porter and George Gershwin. Tony Bennett is cool again.

He is active in several charities and contributes to fine arts programs for kids. His last two albums, Duets I and II are lush collaborations with the top singers of the day like Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Michael Buble, K.D. Lang, Sheryl Crow, Queen Latifa, Nora Jones, Josh Groban, Amy Winehouse and others. He was so impressed with Winehouse, that he along with her father, established a foundation to help those suffering from substance abuse.

Hopefully his unpatriotic speaking out won't tarnish his reputation too much. America gives anyone the right to "free speech." Perhaps, the iconic singer left his brain in San Francisco.

Sources:

Fox News

http://www.amazon.com/Duets-II-tony-Bennett/dp/0052GACNM

http://www-static-w4-ca-aarp.org/leisure/entertainment/articles/bennett.html

http://weaselzippers.us/