Legendary crooner and jazz singer Tony Bennett, who turned 80 last week, is to receive the 2006 Billboard Century Award at a ceremony later this year.
Since 1949, Bennett - best known for the song 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco' - has sold more than 50m records worldwide.
In September he will release his new album. 'Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic' sees him collaborating with singers like Bono, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand and Elton John.
"My 80th feels like a big payoff to me," Bennett told Billboard.
"It's really the best year I've ever had in show business. It's been a year long celebration."
The Century Award is the magazine's highest honour for creative achievement and has been presented to musicians including Carlos Santana, Chet Atkins, James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Randy Newman, Annie Lennox, Sting, Stevie Wonder and Tom Petty.
