Tony Bennett, the legendary American pop and jazz singer, known for championing the Great American Songbook over his remarkable seven-decade career, has passed away at the age of 96, as confirmed by his publicist on Friday.
Among his most iconic songs was the 1962 classic
"I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which became synonymous with his name. Tony's career experienced an
extraordinary resurgence during the 1980s and 1990s, endearing him to new
generations and sustaining his popularity well into his old age. His incredible
talent earned him an impressive 19 Grammy awards, including
a lifetime achievement award in 2001, and he sold over 50 million records
worldwide.
In 2020, it was revealed that Tony Bennett had been
battling Alzheimer's disease since 2016. Despite this cognitive challenge, he
continued to sing and perform, impressively recalling
a wide range of his repertoire. His unwavering dedication to his craft was
evident when he collaborated with diverse artists like Lady Gaga on the album
"Cheek to Cheek," proving his versatility and relevance.
Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto
in 1926 to Italian immigrant parents, Tony Bennett had a humble upbringing in
Queens, New York. He began his professional singing career at a young age and
worked as a singing waiter as a teenager to support his family. After serving
in the US army during World War II, he returned to
pursue a full-fledged music career, adopting the stage name Tony Bennett.
The 1951 hit "Because of You" marked his
breakthrough, and he continued to achieve success with songs like "Blue
Velvet" and "Rags to Riches." Despite
facing personal struggles in the 1960s, including a serious drug addiction,
Tony's collaboration with pianist Bill Evans helped revive his musical journey.
His son Danny became his manager, leading to a successful comeback in the 1980s
with albums like "The Art of Excellence."
Apart from being an accomplished singer, Tony Bennett
was also a talented painter, displaying his artworks under his birth name. He
established the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in New York and actively
participated in the civil rights movement, standing
up against apartheid-era South Africa.
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Tony Bennett & Lady GaGa,
Tony Bennett is survived by four children from his previous marriages and his wife Susan Crow, with whom he enjoyed a marriage spanning over four decades.
The world has lost an exceptional artist and human being. Tributes poured in from fellow musicians, highlighting Tony's immense impact on the music industry and his timeless legacy. His voice, charm, warmth, soul, and spirit will forever be cherished by millions worldwide.
