I recently had the opportunity to enjoy performances by two legendary entertainers, loved and known by most of us on a first-name basis even though few of us have ever met them personally. Bette and Tony. You know who I mean -- as in Midler and Bennett. And while their individual styles vary greatly, they are two of the best in the business, and it’s easy to see why.

While Bette performs with a big, fancy set, Tony prefers the simplicity of just a jazz trio or quartet. Bette changes costumes constantly, while Tony sparkles in a classic silk suit.  Bette starts the show ‘socially late,’ yet Tony is known for his precise punctuality.  Bette frets about getting older (which is frankly ironic since she seems to just keep getting better with age), while Tony is seemingly ageless.

Traditionally considered ancient by entertainment industry standards (Bette’s an amazingly young looking 63, while Tony’s still groovin’ at a cool 82), they’re both older, yes, but they are great regardless of age.  In fact, perhaps they’re as good as they are because of their age.

Both Bette and Tony command extraordinary stage presence, which is likely due to their experience, and that usually only comes with age.  Of course, that’s certainly not taking anything away from their amazing, natural talent, as they both have endured incredibly long careers. And in an industry that generally worships youth, their longevity is even that much more impressive.  Artists with generations of fans are a rarity today, yet that’s what it takes to truly become a legend – which both of them certainly are.

Style is seemingly as much a part of an artist’s success as their talent, and both Bette and Tony exude it.  Yet while they are both at completely opposite ends of the spectrum as performers, it is their own individual styles that have likely contributed to the long-standing success they both have achieved.

Bette has a highly unique ability to mix theatrical razzle-dazzle dance with hysterical stand-up chatter, and a soaring musical voice that often takes an audience on an incredible journey -- laughing and crying along the way, no idea of what’s coming next, but all the while thoroughly enjoying the ride.  Yet, after more than a quarter-century of performing (her debut album, “The Divine Miss M” was released in 1973, she’s earned a Tony and been an Oscar nominee), she obviously knows what works.

Even though she flirted with the possibility of retiring at 55, Bette’s still at it, much to the delight of her fans, who continue to show their devotion at the box office. With a career that spans over three decades, she’s certainly entitled to hang it up if she wants, but the new era of Las Vegas providing shorter runs and acts like hers (and many others) to park it in one spot while the audience comes to them, has likely forever changed the longevity landscape for a number of icons in show business.

So as long as Bette continues to do what she does and loves what she does, there’s little doubt her fans will continue loving her, too.

But when it comes to adoring fans, there are few who will ever compare to the legendary crooner, Tony Bennett.  This ageless singing sensation’s career has spanned more than five decades (twice that of Bette’s) and his cross-generational appeal has established him as one of the only artist’s whose albums have charted in the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and the millennium.

Not only is he a legend, Tony’s also performed with some of the best of all time. Frank Sinatra once called him, “The best in the business,” and Bing Crosby said he was the best singer he’d ever heard.  But it was actually Pearl Bailey who really put him on the map back in 1947 when she insisted a club owner in New York have Tony play on her bill or she wouldn’t do the gig!  And as the legend goes, when Bob Hope came to see Pearl perform, he got such a kick out of Tony he told him, “Come on son, you’re coming with me.” And Tony’s been on the road ever since.

He’s a cool, hip, sexy octogenarian with people of all ages still drawn to his music. Young people are discovering him for the first time, while still others have been devoted fans spanning his entire 50-year career. At 82, he’s sold more than 50 million records world wide, is a 10-time Grammy Award winner and performs about 150 shows a year.

Tony Bennett’s a happening – and he’s definitely still got “it”! To still be winning Grammy’s (including best traditional pop vocal album at the age of 75) in a youth entrenched medium is an indication that he not only loves what he does, but more importantly, he still knows what it takes to keep it fresh and appealing to all ages.

One of the essential elements in keeping things fresh is changing it up and re-inventing oneself. Tony claims he never sings the same song twice exactly the same way … and that’s what he says keeps him and his performances refreshing.

Equally impressive is the fact that Tony still gets butterflies every time he performs. But he claims it’s not due to stage fright, but rather his caring –- hoping he’ll remember the words, that he’ll blend with his musicians and most importantly, that the audience will like the show.

Tony says he applies his life philosophy to his music: accentuate the positive. Having been brought up during the Depression, he claims his mother taught him to be very optimistic. He recognizes that everyone has problems, but he considers himself fortunate to have the opportunity to transport people somewhere else for the 90-minutes he’s on stage – and it’s obvious the audience enjoys the ride.

Tony and his fans share a magical mutual admiration. As long as they love it and keep applauding, Tony says he’ll never walk away from them. And by evidence of the performance I witnessed, there was no shortage of swooning and crooning – on both sides of the stage. It was indeed a love-fest and definitely one for all ages.

SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the length of this column, the next issue will be in August as part of a special “Summer Celebrity Series” featuring Dolly Parton and Tina Turner!

Kelly Ferrin, gerontologist and author of “What’s Age Got To Do With It? Secrets to Aging in Extraordinary Ways” has been studying aging and retirement issues for over 25 years. She was one of the first to ever receive a degree in this field from the prestigious Andrus School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California, the top school in the nation for age-related studies.

website: kellyferrin.com ••• email: ageangel@earthlink.net