Bennett and Billie

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett, who seemingly has no off switch, will continue his 45-year tour with gigs this weekend at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks.

The six-time Grammy Award-winning artist has a new one, “Tony Bennett On Holiday,” the singer’s tribute to the late, great Billie Holiday. Already, it’s atop the Billboard jazz charts and has just entered the pop charts. Bennett, 70, plays over 200 gigs a year, and in between, he paints.

A premiere interpreter of American popular music of the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, Bennett, through appearances on “The Simpsons” and MTV over the last few years, has become a hit with college-age kids, who can now be found in line next to their grandparents buying his albums. Bennett has played in countries all over the world and has performed for every American president since Eisenhower (except Nixon).

Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria Queens in 1926, Bennett was, in his teens, a singing waiter before serving in World War II. After the war, Bennett resumed his career. It was Bob Hope who landed him an important gig at the Paramount Theatre in New York, but insisted he shorten his name to Tony Bennett. He’s been on the road ever since.

Bennett’s first big hit was “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in 1950, but his signature song is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” which won two Grammys in 1962.

During a recent phone interview from Florida, Bennett seemed to be having a swell time on that endless road trip.

*

Why a Billie Holiday tribute?

Every great musician I’ve ever known, from Count Basie to Duke Ellington--all the great ones through the years--have been inspired by Billie Holiday. They wanted to play their instruments just the way she sang. I just saw a program on Bravo about Thelonious Monk, who had a picture of Billie Holiday on the ceiling so he could look up and be inspired.

Holiday had a vast catalog of music. How did you choose the songs?

That was an interesting challenge. Too many radio stations play the sad and unenergized songs from the end of her life when she was hooked on drugs. Most of her stuff was so fruitful and so artistic, that this is such an injustice. That’s why I decided to stick with the young Billie. It’s just the greatest music you can ever listen to.

You do 200 gigs a year?

Yes, for 45 years now. I happen to like it. If you like what you’re doing, you’ll never work a day in your life.

How did appearing on “The Simpsons” and MTV affect your career?

Well, it came from my son, Danny, who’s been my manager for 17 years and is now in his 40s. One day he said, “Dad, a lot of young people are starting to like your music.” . . . He got me on “The Simpsons,” David Letterman and “SCTV” in Toronto. Then I ended up on MTV doing videos and the “Unplugged” album earned a Grammy. I was always taught to sing to the whole family, not just a single demographic. There’s young people sprinkled in the crowd now, and that’s so wonderful.

How did that recent A&E; special come about?

I invented that idea. With an all-request format, it becomes an incongruous two-hour show. Last year, we won an Emmy, and A&E; invited us back to do it again this year.

What impact did “San Francisco” have on your career?

Oh, that song completely made me a world citizen. I’ve sung that song all over the world. I practically don’t need a passport anymore. I’ve sung it for seven wonderful presidents.

Is there anything you haven’t done yet?

Health is wealth, and I want to stay healthy and keep going. My idols are artists such as Pablo Picasso and Pablo Casals that kept creating right up until they died.

Can music change the world?

Oh, yes. Plato said that thousands of years ago. “Show me the state of your music and I’ll show you the state of your nation.”

BE THERE

Tony Bennett at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. $29-$59. 449-2787.