I’m not sure what an 82 year old guy has to do with jewelry, other than the fact that we have (on short term consignment) a pair of 14 karat gold cuff links Tony gave to Bob Hope as a “thank you” gift. It was in recognition of the huge lift Hope had given his career.

Born in 1926, (in Queens, New York City) Anthony Benedetto’s early life was not easy. His dad, an Italian immigrant, died after a long illness when he was 10 years old, leaving behind an impoverished widow, Tony and two other children. In 1942, and unsurprisingly in an America at war and short of labor, he dropped out of high school to help support his family. Working a day job as a copy boy and runner for the New York office of the Associated Press, he also made a modest beginning of his career in music working evenings as a singing waiter in several Italian restaurants. In November, 1944, World War II intervened more directly in Tony’s life.

Like many an 18 year old, he was drafted, given a very brief basic training and shipped off to Europe as an infantry rifleman – an experience that was in many ways formative. He arrived in France in January, 1945, and was assigned to the
255th Infantry Regiment of the 63rd Infantry Division. It was destined to go into combat in March, for combat infantryman Tony an experience he later described as a “front-row seat in hell.” It was house to house fighting until the German Army finally collapsed; and it so impressed Tony that he later wrote, “Anybody who thinks that war is romantic obviously hasn’t gone through one.” But peace finally came and Tony became part of the American Army of Occupation. This too was formative.

He became an entertainer again, this time without carrying a tray of chicken vesuvio. As part of a pick-up Special Services band he entertained nearby American forces – until he broke a taboo. In 1945 the U.S. Army was segregated; and his innocent dinner with a black friend from high school took him out of entertainment. He was demoted and reassigned to Graves Registration Service duties. The assignment didn’t last forever; and he subsequently sang with the Army again (as “Joe Bari”), working with several musicians who would enjoy successful careers in post war America. Between his war-time experience (his regiment liberated a Nazi concentration camp) and his first hand look at racism, he matured as an open hearted adult. In 1965 he participated in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches; and later he refused to perform in apartheid South Africa – but that’s getting ahead of the story.
Out of the Army and back in New York, he studied bel canto singing (the discipline would prove to keep his voice intact to this day) and supported himself, again, singing with a tray of food in his hand. In 1949 he had two “breaks.” Pearl Bailey heard him sing and asked him to open for her at her next appearance in New York. Then she invited Bob Hope to the performance. Hope was impressed, but didn’t like his stage name. “What’s your real name?” he asked. When Tony replied, “Anthony Dominick Benedetto” Hope said “Let’s Americanize you and call you Tony Bennett.” Tony took the suggestion; Hope took him on a tour; and this led (in 1950) to a recording contract with Columbia Records. Beginning 1951 with “Because of You” (it sold more than a million copies), he became a solid part of the American pop music scene until the “Beatles” arrived in 1964. His career declined after that; and like many who have known success in entertainment, his life bottomed out as well – until (in 1980) his son, Danny, took over as his manager. By the mid-80s Danny was making sure that Tony was being heard again; and after Tony’s appearances on David Letterman and other late night shows his career again took off with “Grammys” back to back in 1992, ’93 and ’94. At 68 Tony was back and continues to perform to this day, most recently in May.

Now about those cuff links, they are 14 Karat yellow gold; and Tony gave them to Bob (as a thank you for the big break Hope had given him) when “Because of You” went gold. Appropriately, each is round and resembles a record; and even more appropriately, Tony had each front engraved “Because of You”. It’s a great sentiment and coupled with the message engraved on the back of each, “To Bob Hope from Tony Bennett”, it says it all. Come in and see them because they’re what jewelry is all about, emotion. Nothing can say it better nor so permanently. Naturally, when you’re in the market for a diamond it should be Hearts On Fire; as the world’s most perfectly cut diamond – and a raving beauty as a result – no other diamond can say “I love you” so perfectly. Check us out on line at hurstsberwynjewelers.com; then phone us at 708.788.0880 for an appointment to select the perfect gift. We’re Hursts’ Berwyn Jewelers and we have the stuff of dreams waiting for you.