By Tim Saunders on
Tony Bennett will team with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to take part in a celebrity charity concert to help end hunger – as well as to celebrate his 85th birthday.
The Drive To End Hunger concert will take place at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on September 24, just days after the release of his new album of duets.
“It is terrific to be working with AARP once again, especially for a cause like ending hunger among our older Americans, which often does not get much attention,” Bennett said. “I know this event will make a big difference and I am thrilled to be a part of it and have some of my favorite musical performers join me for the concert.”
According to AARP magazine, “Drive to End Hunger is a multiyear commitment by AARP and AARP Foundation to ending hunger for older Americans, 6 million of whom do not have enough to eat every day. It aims to build awareness of hunger issues among older Americans, raise money for the cause and work with national partners who share the goal of feeding seniors.”
“Tony has successfully captured a whole new generation of listeners, and at age 85 he’s still a consummate performer at the top of his game,” said A. Barry Rand, CEO of AARP. “Not only is he a living legend in the world music, his dedication to giving back to the community is inspiring and we’re thrilled to have him join AARP in our goal to end hunger for older people in America.”
The new Duets II album features a special song Bennett recorded with Amy Winehouse before her death, which Tony plans to release as a single – with proceeds going to the charity being organized by Amy’s father.
“What’s going to happen is we’re putting [the song] out ahead of the album, and it’s going to a foundation that her father started to teach all the young children not to take drugs,” he told the Today show. “And all the royalties of the record are going to go to that.”
To find out more about the Drive To End Hunger concert, click here.
Copyright © 2011 Look to the Stars
