Tony Pantano in COVID-19 lockdown

By SHIRLEY BROUN

LONG TIME ENTERTAINER Tony Pantano has not only slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic but he says he has officially 'cancelled 2020'. 

Multi-award winning performer Tony Pantano is keen to return to what he does best - entertaining crowds at venues around Australia.

Based in Victoria, which has been the Australian state hardest hit by the worldwide virus to date and remains in Stage 4 lockdown, Tony can't believe the massive effect it has had on people's lives and livelihoods including his own.

"I have been working non-stop since the age of 15 performing at weddings, engagements, nightclubs, TV shows, the Sydney clubs and on Cruise Ships in America and locally and had work booked for up to 12 months ahead," said Tony.

"Then, in early March it all suddenly came to a screeching halt.

"My last gig was at a fundraising event with New Zealand's John Rowles in Wantirna. Who knew? It seems so unreal."

At first, the multi-award winning performer thought the COVID chaos would only last a few weeks and then all would return to normal but now six months later and five weeks into a Stage 4 Lockdown in Victoria, and the reality has finally kicked in and been realised.

"Until the full blown lockdown, we could at least play golf ... as long as we didn't touch the flag or rake, only one person travelled in the golf cart and teams played at intervals of 15 minutes. I could handle that!

"But now we are confined to our homes and can only go out to buy supplies or exercise and it has to be within a 5km radius of home. I used to regularly walk 10km so I'm feeling it," he laughed.

His pet King George cavalier pooch also looks forward to his walk every second day.

Like many of his entertainment industry peers, Pantano could not sit idle for long.

NEW SONG RELEASE

His many Facebook followers have enjoyed his `car karaoke' postings in which he sings along with his own CDs featuring selections from his 18 albums recorded since 1971. They covered an expansive genre of material ranging from Elvis Presley to Tom Jones and some of the world's great tenors as well as Jerry Lewis and Tony Bennett, both of whom he has met. 

Work in the garden and pruning his mum's fig tree helped Tony while away the hours during Victoria's Stage 4 Lock down.

Tony also recorded a new song `One of Those Things' during the COVID-19 pandemic which has already received over 11,000 views.

In addition, he worked in the garden and volunteered his time to do concerts at local retirement homes in Glenroy ... gigs that involved strict distancing rules.

"One was for Mother's Day and I had to do the performance in the garden while the residents watched from inside the home. Keyboard player Mark Amato who has worked with Darryl Braithwaite accompanied me. His mother was inside and he had to talk to her through the window. So sad really. However, our performance put a smile on many faces and that made it all worthwhile."

In February this year, Tony lost his 97-year-old mother which was a devastating time for all his family including his own six sons and grandchildren.

"Yes. It was a very tough time. Mum was just 4 months shy of her 98th birthday but had a fall, spent a month in hospital and returned home briefly before we lost her," said Tony.

Now living in his mum's house with his 79-year-old brother Sam and former wife Theresa who was visiting from Canada when the Coronavirus hit and has been stranded in Australia ever since, Tony spent his hiatus from performing by giving the inside of the house a fresh coat of paint.

He said that due to the latest Stage 4 lockdown, Father's Day will also be an online Facetime family affair as visitations are restricted.

GRANDSON JJ PANTANO

One of the last visits he enjoyed on home soil was with his 8-year-old grandson JJ Pantano - a young, confident, up and coming actor and stand-up comedian who has reached the semi-finals on both Australia's Got Talent and America's Got Talent.

"JJ was getting ready to go to America for TV shows and work at Disneyland when COVID-19 hit. Instead he was at my place kicking a ball in the backyard with me. "

Tony, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer and diabetes two years ago, said that one of the good things about time spent in isolation has been the ability to keep in touch and reconnect with people over social media. 

Tony Pantano with his coveted Star Award, the first of many awards he has won during his long, illustrious career.

"I have been hearing from people I haven't seen in 30 years ... it has been amazing. I have also been able to talk to industry friends who are in the same boat and I think the communications between everyone has helped some cope with the isolation and financial stress much better," said Tony.

Music has also been a lifesaver for the veteran performer who can't wait to get back on stage.

"Melbourne is so quiet, especially after 8pm right now. It's like everyone is on `pause'. You can't sit down for a coffee or sandwich at a cafe, there's no trams and no-one around.

"I'm looking forward to the time when restrictions are lifted and we can take a long drive, enjoy an outing with family and friends, entertain with no restrictions and play a round of golf. Despite everything, I'm glad I am in Australia during this once in a lifetime pandemic. We are so lucky compared to the rest of the world!"

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