Tony Bennett

Bennett in 2008

Tony Bennett (born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023) was an American singer who was best known for his song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". During his career, he won 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Career

Bennett started singing at an early age. He fought in the final stages of World War II. He had his first number-one popular song with "Because of You" in 1951. Several popular tracks such as "Rags to Riches" followed in early 1953. In 1962, Bennett recorded his best known single, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". He sang several duets and organized concerts with many well known American and foreign singers, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Vicente Fernández and others.[1]

Later in his career, he became known for his collaboration with Lady Gaga, which began with the album Cheek to Cheek (2014). They released another album together Love for Sale (2021). For this album, Bennett broke the individual record for the longest run of a top-10 album on the Billboard 200 chart for any living artist. Bennett also broke the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to release an album of new material, at the age of 95 years and 60 days.[2][3]

Bennet's final live performances were on August 3 and 5, 2021, when he presented a pair of shows with Lady Gaga at Radio City Music Hall.[4]

Personal life

Bennett was born at St John’s Hospital in Queens, New York.[5]

He was married three times and had four children. Bennett was a Democrat and attended the 2012 Democratic National Convention in support of President Obama's re-election.[6]

In February 2021, Bennett said that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016.[7] He died from the disease on July 21, 2023 in New York City, aged 96.[8][9]

References

  1. "Mort de Tony Bennett : le crooner légendaire américain avait 96 ans". www.programme-television.org. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  2. Phillips, Jevon (April 3, 2022). "Here's the complete list of 2022 Grammy Award winners". Los Angeles Times.
  3. Marcus, Amanda (October 8, 2021). "Legendary Tony Bennett officially the oldest person to release an album of new material". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  4. Willman, Chris (September 15, 2021). "Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga Partner With ViacomCBS for Three Specials, to Air on CBS, MTV and Paramount Plus". Variety. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  5. Bennett, Tony (2012). The Good Life: The Autobiography Of Tony Bennett. Simon and Schuster. p. 1898. ISBN 978-1-4711-0929-4.
  6. Tran, Vivyan (September 7, 2012). "Celebrities spotted at the Democratic National Convention". Politico.
  7. Colapinto, John (February 2, 2021). "Tony Bennett's Battle With Alzheimer's". AARP Magazine. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  8. Gans, Charles J. (July 21, 2023). "Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96". Associated Press. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  9. "Tony Bennett: Legendary singer dies aged 96". BBC News. 21 July 2023.

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