Zoomer entertainer Tony Bennett will be honoured with this year’s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

(Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press)

In making the announcement the Library of Congress said in a statement, ”His staying power is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Great American songbook the Gershwins helped write, and his ability to collaborate with new generations of music icons has been a gift to music lovers of all ages.”

Bennett responded by issuing a statement.

“To be receiving an award named in their honor (George and Ira Gershwin) is one of the greatest thrills of my career.”

A career that spans seven decades, beginning with singles such as ”Because of You” and ”Rags to Riches,” in the early 1950s to his collaboration in 2014 with Lady Gaga, ”Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga:  Cheek to Cheek.”

Bennett’s scheduled to accept the award in Washington in November.

Past winners include Sir Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder.