Manhattan Lounge Singer Has Been Keeping Crowds Entertained Since 1922

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- When most people hear the phrase 'pop singer' it conjures an image of someone in their early twenties, but one New York performer has been going strong since the 1920's.

Irving Fields, 98, performs six nights a week at Nino's Tuscany Restaurant in Midtown, he has been performing in New York since 1922, CBS 2's Cindy Hsu reported.

On Sunday Fields received a congressional tribute from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney who called Fields an inspiration.

"Keeping your mind engaged, doing something you love everyday following a Mediterranean diet, exercising every day at least four days a week. These are some of the lifestyle elements that lead to along and healthy life," Maloney said.

Fields told CBS 2 that the secret to his longevity has been positivity.

"When you go to bed think of a happy thought. You'll sleep well and think about the wonderful things you can do the next day," he said, "I suggest that you have something that you love very much to eat everyday, so you'll think all day long that you can't wait to have that food. It's a psychological thing."

Experts say Fields may not be far off of the mark.

"What we are learning from more and more evidence is being mentally and physically active can decrease your risk factors for developing Alzheimer's Disease," explained Neurologist Rachel Schindler.

Maloney credited the Manhattan lifestyle for keeping older people engaged and active.

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