Tony Bennett with the old hair

Interviewed by Milton Metz. Metz Commentary 11, 18, 94 It all started on a darkened stage. Then, a couple of men in dark suits took their places, one picked up a bass, the other mounted a platform of drums, and shortly the pianist sat down at the keys. Effortlessly, and with no fuss, they swung into a couple of Gershwin tunes. Then, without any fanfare or a big annoucner s voice shouting out LADIES AND GENTLEMENnone of that stuffout from the wings strolls the star of the show, Tony Bennett. We re at Louisville s refurbished showplace, the glitzy and flamboyant Palace Theatre, complete with plush curtains, statuary, and a beautiful skyblue ceiling. It is an evening with the one and only Tony Bennettwho appeared with a collection of unforgettable songsIrving Berlin, the Gershwin brothers, Jerome Kern, Vernon Duke. Now, remember there s nothing on the stage but the trio and Bennett, no smoke, no revolving lights, not even any backup Bennett and the guys and a collect