My parents, Sue and Sonny, adored Tony Bennett and during the time they lived near San Francisco, they’d make a point of attending one of his concerts every year – often around Christmas or New Year’s Eve as a way to celebrate their birthdays and holidays all rolled into one.
In 1989, the concert date fell on Sue’s birthday – well, mine as well, but that’s not the point. My dad planned for an extra special evening – dinner and then “the show” at the Fairmont’s Venetian Room. So perfect…or so they hoped.
With the news yesterday of Tony Bennett’s passing, my sweet sister Lisa was all a dither in time-travel mode. Lisa recalled the fateful 1989 concert – not because she was there. No, she was at home with her friend Rick and his mom. Rick was intellectually and physically disabled like Lisa, and they were best friends. His mom Sandy was a trooper and bonded with Sue over the shared concerns about their adult children with disabilities, while rising above Sue’s antics. Sandy and Rick loved hanging out with Lisa when a “big night out” kept Sue and Sonny out a little later than normal.
Lisa had all the details in her head and heart, ready to share with me during our evening phone call last night. “Vicki, do you remember…” followed by a rich rewind about the craziness of “the concert that never was”. If you’d asked me, I might’ve remembered some of the nuggets Lisa recalled, but it wasn’t until she used the phrase “the concert that never was” that I sighed…and laughed. Oh yes. THAT concert.
For Lisa, Tony Bennett’s passing opened up a portal to December 28, 1989, and I was along for the ride. First, she regaled me with the line-up of treats that she, Rick and Sandy enjoyed that night. It was a pizza feast and Lisa shared all of those bits and details with a freshness that still astounds me. Her super skill. Rick and Sandy planned to sleep over, so it was a pizza party/pajama party. Who needed Tony Bennett? 😉
As Lisa continued, I began to recall some of the details about the ill-fated concert. Lisa’s recall roundup moved at a blistering pace…she was breathless and excited by the fun memory. Escapades with our parents weren’t uncommon and Lisa enjoys reliving the fun times, so I roll along with her.
Our parents were late…so late…that they couldn’t be seated for the concert. They’d left the restaurant in plenty of time to get to the Fairmont, but they encountered homeless folks en route and lost track of time. Dressed up for a big night out, I suspect both Sue and Sonny felt an extra dose of shame…given their poverty roots…as they sauntered through the city to the Fairmont. Never content to pass by those in need, they stopped and chatted and then hopped into a nearby diner to order sandwiches for their new acquaintances. Quick like – because they had every intention of hustling to see Tony.
Lisa remembers all of this because Sue and Sonny arrived home early. Not because they’d had an argument (we’d seen plenty of that – Lisa and I both). Nope. They were in joyous moods having picked up a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken on the way home, rolling in, kicking off their fancy shoes, giggling about the best concert they’d never seen.
By the time they got to the venue, the concert was in full swing, and they couldn’t be seated. (Well, there were two versions…one where Sue was “lobbying” to be seated which meant she was creating a scene and another version where dad said they just decided to head home. I suspect the first version was true, knowing my mother.)
Lisa was teary remembering that night as if it happened just a day or so ago. I love that about her. Despite her challenges and mixed-up memories, Lisa’s ability to retrieve moments of laughter and love are a delight. Lisa will never forget it…her love of San Francisco, Tony’s most famous song and an ill-fated concert. In many ways Lisa’s heart will always be in San Francisco, remembering good times with our parents long gone.
Vicki (and Lisa!) ❤
Tony Bennett at the opening of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1966.
Las Vegas News Bureau, via European Pressphoto Agency
Victoria Ponders 
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