Tony Bennett Joins AARP's Drive to End Hunger Initiative

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American icon Tony Bennett today announced he will team up with AARP for a landmark concert event in Los Angeles to benefit Drive to End Hunger, a national effort by AARP and AARP Foundation to end hunger among older Americans which to date has organized food and cash donations to provide more than two million meals through local hunger relief organizations. This musical spectacular will take place at the Staples Center on Saturday, September 24th and will feature songs from Bennett's anxiously awaited new album, Tony Bennett: Duets II, slated for a September 20th release.

Billed as AARP Foundation Presents: TONY BENNETT LIVE IN CONCERT – Benefit for Drive to End Hunger, this one-night-only event will come just days after the release of Duets II, which follows up his hugely successful Duets album released in 2006.  Several guest stars are also expected to join Bennett on stage to sing duets in celebration of the singer's milestone 85th birthday which he will celebrate on August 3rd.

"It is terrific to be working with AARP once again, especially for a cause like ending hunger among older Americans, which often does not get much attention. 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," said Bennett.

A vital musical artist at the peak of his career, Bennett is living proof that you can do anything you want—no matter your age—if you're young at heart.

"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, AARP. "Not only is he a living legend in the world of 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."

Drive to End Hunger is AARP and AARP Foundation's multi-year commitment to ending hunger for older Americans, nearly six million of whom do not have enough to eat every day. Core components of Drive to End Hunger include building awareness of the issue of senior hunger; collaborating with national partners who share a goal of ending hunger by working to enhance and supplement distribution networks—like food banks and food pantries; generating resources for the cause through individual and corporate fundraising campaigns; local SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) outreach and enrollment assistance; and developing solutions to senior hunger through grant-making.

AARP members have exclusive access to purchase tickets until July 6th when tickets go on sale to the general public. Prices start at $49. Tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1.800.745.3000 and mentioning the AARP promotional code to take advantage of this special presale offer. (AARP members will receive this code via email or by visiting www.drivetoendhunger.org/tonybennett.)

Ticket buyers will receive a free copy of Duets II at the benefit concert. Visitors to www.drivetoendhunger.org/tonybennett will also have exclusive access to performance videos, free song downloads, behind the scenes video footage of Bennett and his singing partners from recording sessions and more.

Alone, Tony Bennett is legendary.  In partnership with another singer, he's extraordinary. With worldwide record sales in the millions, and dozens of platinum and gold albums to his credit, Bennett has received fifteen Grammy Awards including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

"I love the Great American songbook and have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to introduce many of these songs to the public. It is a thrill to perform them once again with artists that I admire to create new interpretations of the music I love so much. Add to that the fact that we're going to be able to help millions of Americans through this concert and it's a home run," added Bennett.

Additional information on Bennett's upcoming album release can be found at www.tonybennett.com. For more information about Drive to End Hunger or to get involved, visit www.drivetoendhunger.org.

About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation is AARP's affiliated charity.  The Foundation is dedicated to serving vulnerable people 50+ by creating solutions that help them secure the essentials and achieve their best life. AARP Foundation focuses on:  hunger, housing, income and isolation as our key mission areas. The Foundation envisions: 'a country free of poverty where no older person feels vulnerable.'  Foundation programs are funded by grants, tax-deductible contributions and AARP.

For more information about AARP Foundation, please log on to www.aarp.org/foundation.

SOURCE RPM/Columbia Records