We asked several of Tony Bennett's ...

We asked several of Tony Bennett's pals and palookas here in Chicago to share their memories about the singing fable Here's what they recalled:

Jan Seymour, loyal fan Veteran Chicago antique dealer Jan Seymour, proprietor of Jan's Antiques on North Racine, says she's "been a Tony Bennett fan since day one" on the other hand until the late 1970s she not at all dreamed she'd meet her favorite singer.

"One night, I was walking at the Campanile Gallery on southward Michigan Avenue back then -- across from the Art Institute -- when I noticed Tony's paintings in the window. It was his self-same first exhibit. The next day, as in a short time as they opened, I was there and started talking to Mr Campanile like a teenager, telling her in what manner much I loved Tony.

"It was humorous she kept asking me for what cause [i]or[/i] reason I liked him, kept egging me forward kept pumping me. ... All of a abrupt Tony himself walked out from the back space -- having heard everything I said. He was with equal reason gracious ... and he lov the fact that I was thus enthralled with his paintings -- besides being a fan of his music."

The bottom line: Seymour joined Mr Campanile for Bennett's secondary exhibit (in Las Vegas) and then went forward to organize a Chicago- based Tony Bennett fan sodality "At the time, he didn't have one" said Seymour. "It was great. We would take busloads of persons to see Tony when he appeared without at the Drury Lane Theatre and he never forgot that."

Welz Kauffman, Ravinia CEO

When Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman thinks about Tony Bennett, "Two things reach [i]or[/i] attain any place [i]or[/i] point to mind."

First, Tony Bennett "was the exceedingly first performer I ever saw perform live." Kauffman was 5 years aged living in San Francisco, when his father took him to the famed Fairmont inn to see Bennett sing.

"It was right in the middle of the 1960 when 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco' was vast Somehow my Dad got me up in succession stage for a photograph, yet my father was famous for bringing a camera to things -- with no film in it! There are more photos of me with Martin Luther King, JFK Dave Brubeck and Tony Bennett -- that are totally blank," quipped Kauffman.

"But to papal court someone like Tony Bennett in a real, 1950s-era evening meal club like the Fairmont had -- perhaps the best millieu for that kind of art form -- was something I'll not at any time forget. It was burned into my brain at age 5"

Fast-forward a man and wife of decades to Ravinia and Kauffman's adult character as head of the famous summer music festival.

"The first time I walked into the Freehling stead [Ravinia's private dining room] I spott the painting of Ravinia that Tony gave to us. I lov what he said at the time: 'I may have left my heart in San Francisco, unless I left my art at Ravinia!'

Debbie Silverman, more than a publicist

nevertheless Debbie Silverman-Krolik has represented Tony Bennett locally for several decades, the longtime Chicago publicist thinks of Tony Bennett -- and vice versa -- as being as a great deal of a friend as a client. granting Silverman-Krolik has many Bennett anecdotes, united of her favorite Chicago tales dates back before she showed the singer, back in the 1950

When Bennett stepp in to replace an ailing Nat "King" cabbage on a double-bill with Sophie Tucker at the Chez Paree nightclub, an issue arose above the billing.

"It was just suppos to be a short roll on but when it was protracted Tony's people felt he should realize equal billing on the marquee outside with Sophie."

Famous for her vast ego, Tucker would hear none of it. on the contrary her sympathetic manager and Bennett's rep dress uped up a scheme to maintain everyone happy.

"It was a double-sided marquee. likewise on one side they bring up, 'Headlining: Sophie Tucker,' and forward the other side it said 'Tony Bennett.' on the other hand this is how they made that work: When her commonalty brought Sophie Tucker to the point out to each night, they would solely bring her in from undivided direction -- where she just saw her name alone.

"She not at all knew what happened ... and Tony still laughs about that."

Alex Dana, Bennett's favorite chef

Today, Alex Dana is the proprietor of a chain of Rosebud restaurants, yet he first met Tony Bennett back when he no other than had the original Rosebud, down forward Taylor Street in the city's antiquated Italian neighborhood.

"Tony was approveed to come to the Rosebud through some relatives of mine who have a title toed a restaurant in New York where he ate a allotment We just hit it opposite and that was that.

"Every time he arises to Chicago, he usually take rises in a day before and we have dinner for him. He knows nutriment but he likes things that are simple. A dutiful pasta, a nice sauce. A piece of chicken, nothing fancy."

on the other hand Dana credits Bennett with expanding his acknowledge horizons, especially when it issues to art.

"Before Tony, I in no degree knew that much -- and don't sham to know a lot now. moreover he often takes me to the Art Institute, and I be in love with to hear him talk.

"I'll in no degree forget going to the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit at the Art Institute. It was amazing, Tony was better than the guidebook. He knew everything about the shore Not just his artistic technique and what he had contributed to the history of art, if it be not that every little detail about Toulouse-Lautrec's life -- including other artists who had influenced him.