Tony Bennett, the renowned American pop and jazz singer who carried the torch for the Great American Songbook throughout an illustrious seven-decade career, passed away at the age of 96, as confirmed by his publicist on Friday.
Tony Bennett was widely celebrated for his iconic 1962 hit "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and for staging a remarkable comeback during the 1980s and 1990s, which solidified his popularity well into his old age. Over the course of his career, he earned an impressive 19 Grammy awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 2001, and his record sales exceeded 50 million copies worldwide.
In 2020, it was revealed that Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease back in 2016. Despite the cognitive challenges, he continued to sing a vast repertoire of his songs, demonstrating his enduring passion for music.
Tony Bennett's musical talents transcended genres, encompassing pop, big band, and jazz, which earned him accolades and the opportunity to collaborate with numerous artists. Notably, his collaboration with Lady Gaga on the album "Cheek to Cheek" in 2014 showcased their renditions of jazz standards and achieved the number one spot on the US charts. This feat made Bennett the oldest living artist to hold this position, a record he had already set with his 2011 album "Duets II."
Following news of his passing, Columbia, his former label, paid tribute to him, acknowledging his eternal impact on the music industry. Artists like Nancy Sinatra also expressed their heartfelt condolences, describing Bennett as a kind, talented, and generous individual who left an indelible mark on their lives.
Born as Anthony Dominick Benedetto in 1926 to Italian immigrants, Tony Bennett had a modest upbringing in Queens, New York. Despite facing adversity at a young age due to his father's passing, he pursued a professional singing career and later studied music and painting at New York's School of Industrial Art.
During World War II, Bennett served in the US army in France and Germany. His experiences during the war left a lasting impact on him, and he later expressed his strong disapproval of war during a 2013 Guardian interview.
Bennett's breakthrough came in 1951 with his first chart-topping hit, "Because of You." Throughout the 1950s, he enjoyed a string of successful songs, including "Blue Velvet" and "Rags to Riches," drawing inspiration from the swinging sound popularized by his childhood idol, Frank Sinatra.
Although the British invasion presented challenges in the 1960s, and he faced personal struggles in the following decade, Bennett's career took a significant turn when he hired his son Danny as his manager. With a change in focus to New York instead of Las Vegas, and reuniting with his former pianist and musical director Ralph Sharon, Bennett's 1986 comeback album "The Art of Excellence" marked a new chapter of success. Subsequent albums like "Perfectly Frank" and "MTV Unplugged" further solidified his place in the US music scene, and collaborations with artists like kd lang, Amy Winehouse, Queen Latifah, and Diana Krall helped him maintain relevance with younger audiences. His 2006 album, "Duets: An American Classic," featured appearances from music legends like Paul McCartney, Elton John, and George Michael.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Tony Bennett showcased his artistic talents through painting, with his works displayed at prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the Butler Institute of American Art. In 2001, he founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens, offering various qualifications in the arts.
Known for his advocacy of civil rights, Bennett actively participated in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches and refused to perform in apartheid-era South Africa.
Throughout his later years, Bennett remained devoted to his passion for singing, and even after his 90th birthday, he expressed his love for performing. His final concerts took place in August 2021, where he shared the stage with Lady Gaga at New York's Radio City Music Hall.
Tony Bennett is survived by four children: Danny and Dae from his marriage to Patricia Beech, and Joanna and Antonia from his second marriage to Sandra Grant Bennett. He married Susan Crow, who is 40 years younger than him, in 2007.
The music community mourns the loss of a true legend, with musicians like Nile Rodgers and Joe Bonamassa offering their heartfelt condolences and recognizing Tony Bennett as one of the finest singers and musicians of his generation.
In the wake of his passing, Tony Bennett's legacy lives on through his timeless songs, forever etched in the hearts of countless admirers.
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