One of the classic crooners of all time will perform in the Classic City.

Tony Bennett is coming to Athens for a one-night performance at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Classic Center Theatre, 300 N. Thomas St., Athens.

Bennett's concert is the first of the Celebrity Evenings series, a new partnership between the UGA Performing Arts Center and the Classic Center. Other performances will include Lyle Lovett on Nov. 17 at the Classic Center and Doc Severinsen on May 12 at Hodgson Concert Hall.

Bennett has sold more than 50 million records worldwide with dozens of platinum and gold albums to his credit. He has received 15 Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

He once was called by Frank Sinatra, "the best singer in the business."

The MTV generation was exposed to Bennett's unique voice during his appearance with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the 1993 MTV Video Awards. He later appeared on MTV Unplugged, resulting in a CD of the same name, which earned him Album of the Year.

"Tony Bennett has not just bridged the generation gap," pointed out The New York Times, "he has demolished it. He has solidly connected with a younger crowd weaned on rock. And there have been no compromises."

Bennett's initial fame came via a string of singles in the early 1950s, including his signature hit, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which earned him two Grammy Awards. He is one of a handful of artists to have new albums chart in ever decade since the '50s.

Tickets are $70 to $125 on sale at the UGA Performing Arts Center, 706-542-4400, 888-289-8497, website.

For more information: Classic Center, 706-357-4444, website.