After a seven-year fight with Alzheimer’s disease, Tony Bennett, a legendary vocalist in pop, jazz, and big bands, passed away at the age of 96. The news of Tony’s passing was confirmed to the New York Post by his publicist Sylvia Weiner. His official cause of death hasn’t been disclosed yet.
Tony’s official Facebook page also verified the information. “Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was, “Because of You,” his first #1 hit. Tony, because of you we have your songs in our heart forever,” the post read.
Anthony (Antonio) Dominick Benedetto was born in Astoria, Queens, New York City, on August 3, 1926. At the New York High School of Industrial Arts, he majored in music and art before leaving at age 16. To provide for his family, he worked as a singing waiter at Italian eateries.
As per IMBb, “At the beginning of his career he drew from such influences as Judy Garland, Louis Armstrong, and Bing Crosby among others and eventually created his own style of singing. He also integrated jazz-style phrasing into his singing by imitating the instrumental solos with his own voice.”
“In 1956, he hosted The Tony Bennett Show (1956), which replaced Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall (1948). He continued making recordings with the top jazz musicians of the day and his collaboration with Count Basie brought two albums, with ‘Chicago’ and ‘Jeepers Creepers’ becoming popular songs. His landmark concert at the Carnegie Hall in June of 1962 featured 44 songs and was accompanied by an all-star band. The same year he released ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’, which remained on the charts for a year and has become his signature song. The eponymous album became a gold record,” it further adds.
There was no turning back once his career started to take off. On his 80th birthday, he received congratulations from millions of admirers for his immense success. IMDb adds, “In November 2006, Bennett hosted a Gala-party in his honor at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. There he enjoyed live performances by numerous celebrities. The party came to culmination when Mr. Bennett entertained his guests by singing his best known hits: ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’ and ‘What A Good Life’.”
Tony once remarked that the secret to longevity is upholding high standards. “I joined the American Theatre Wing (after fighting in World War II) and it was the best choice I ever made.”
“Whether it was music or dancing or singing, they taught everybody, ‘Never compromise, only do quality.’ And now it’s all paid off,” he added.
“It is particularly beneficial as a performer to have another art form to pursue. Whenever I get a bit burned out from performing, which is a very gregarious activity in front of thousands of people, I can find time to be all on my own and just focus on painting, which is a more internal activity,” he averred.
