“If there was somebody that was in trouble, Tony was one of the first people there,” said former bandmate Paul Langosch.
Musician Paul Langosch was on tour with Tony Bennett in 1999 as a bassist in his band when Langosch’s wife, Michelle Dunn-Langosch, was suddenly diagnosed with lung cancer. It had spread to her brain and spine.He told Bennett he needed to leave the tour, figuring his place in the band would right away be filled by another musician and he’d lose his spot for good.
“Usually, in a situation like that, somebody is going to take your job,” said Langosch. “It’s just the way of the business.” Langosch was stunned when Bennett told him that the spot in the band would remain his when he was ready for it. Bennett continued paying Langosch for the five months he took off to care for his wife, who also had multiple sclerosis.at the age of 96.“I just can’t forget something like that,” said Langosch, his voice trembling from his home in Chevy Chase, Md.Langosch’s path to playing with Bennett happened in part by chance, but like many lucky breaks, he had already put in years of preparation.
Langosch began playing the bass as a child when he joined the orchestra at his public school in Bethesda, Md. From there, he never stopped playing the instrument., who became a mentor and helped him meet people in the industry. After several years of honing his skills, Langosch received a surprise call from Tony Bennett’s road manager, who said he was urgently seeking a bassist to play a three-night run with Bennett in Sacramento. Langosch immediately booked a flight.“I had a friend who knew Tony’s drummer, and he recommended me,” Langosch recalled, adding that he had also raised his profile by working with prominent musicians that were passing through D.C.
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