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The Good Life: The Autobiography Of Tony Bennett

I had a press agent from Toronto named Gino Empry for a while during this time and he introduced me to my new agent Roger Vorce at the Agency of the Performing Arts (APA) who was now booking my dates.  John Giuffrida my bass player, handled the logistics of touring, but there was nobody looking out for the big picture.  The strain was getting too much for me, and I began to experience long bouts of depression.

As hard as I tried to stay current with my taxes, my financial situation only got worse.  The accountants called to say that the IRS was starting procedures to take away the house.  That night, in frustration I overindulged and quickly realised I was in trouble.

I tried to calm myself down by taking a hot bath, but I must have passed out.  And I experienced what some call a near death experience; a golden light enveloped me in a warm glow.  It was quite peaceful; in fact I had the sense that I was about to embark on a very compelling Journey.

But suddenly I was jolted out of the vision.

The tub was overflowing and Sandra was standing above me.  She’d heard the water running for too long, and when she came in, I wasn’t breathing.  She pounded on my chest and literally brought me back to life.

As I was rushed to the hospital, the only thought on my mind was something my ex-manager Jack Rollins had told me about Lenny Bruce, right after Lenny’s death from an overdose.  All Jack said was ‘The man sinned against his talent’.  That hit home.  I realised I was throwing it all away and I became determined to clean up my act.