Tony Bennett, the suave American vocalist who achieved lasting fame with his chart-topping ballad "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and maintained an eternally captivating allure that enamored younger audiences well into the 21st century, passed away on Friday, as stated by his publicist.
Bennett, at the age of 96, breathed his last in his New York City residence due to age-related factors, as announced by his publicist, Sylvia Weiner.
In the 1950s, when he rose to stardom, Frank Sinatra himself dubbed the former singing waiter as "the finest singer in the business." Bennett's musical journey further flourished with a remarkable collection of 20 Grammy awards, including a prestigious lifetime achievement honor. President Joe Biden acknowledged Bennett's life as "legendary" and added that he embodied the essence of an American classic, transcending the mere act of singing the classics.
As Bennett matured, his collaborations with fellow artists became increasingly diverse. In his late 80s, he recorded an album of duets with the unconventional Lady Gaga in 2014 and embarked on a world tour with her in 2015. His popular "Duet" albums featured partnerships with luminaries such as former Beatle Paul McCartney, soul queen Aretha Franklin, country star Willie Nelson, and U2's Bono, showcasing the broad spectrum of his artistic connections. Commemorating his 90th birthday in 2016, a star-studded celebration in New York attracted luminaries like Bruce Willis and John Travolta, while the Empire State Building paid homage with a luminous display. Additionally, Bennett shared his insights and experiences in a memoir titled "Just Getting Started," published that same year.
In early 2021, Bennett courageously revealed his battle with Alzheimer's disease since 2016, but he continued to record music even after the diagnosis. He humbly expressed on Twitter, "Life is a gift - even with Alzheimer's." Unfortunately, due to the progression of his illness, Bennett retired from performing after his last concerts at New York's Radio City Music Hall on August 3 and 5, 2021.
Bennett's journey in the music industry was characterized by triumphs and trials. In the late 1970s, he faced a crumbling marriage, a struggle with cocaine addiction, a substantial tax debt of $2 million, and limited career prospects. However, he emerged from these challenges by entrusting his management to his son Danny, who ingeniously propelled his father's popularity among newer generations.
Before this resurgence, Bennett had been one of the most beloved singers of the 1950s, thanks to his discovery by comedian Bob Hope, until the advent of rock 'n' roll diminished his prominence. However, Bennett's astute shift towards a more mature audience revitalized his standing in the industry.
Throughout his illustrious career, Bennett exuded a cool and affable demeanor while remaining faithful to the musical genres he cherished, particularly jazz. Born as Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926, in New York City, he endured the loss of his father at the tender age of 10, with his mother working as a dressmaker to support him. Alongside his profound love for music, Bennett also harbored an abiding passion for painting, an art he pursued diligently throughout his life, selling his works under his given name.
Following his service as an infantryman during World War Two, Bennett, then known as Joe Bari, captivated the attention of Bob Hope during a performance in Greenwich Village, New York. This chance encounter led to a name change to Tony Bennett and a record deal with Columbia Records, marking the beginning of a string of popular hits such as "Because of You," a cover of Hank Williams' country classic "Cold, Cold Heart," "Blue Velvet," and "Rags to Riches." His concerts were packed with adoring teenage fans.
As the rock era dawned in the mid-1950s, Bennett transitioned from pop to jazz, collaborating with renowned figures in the genre and recording the acclaimed album "Basie Swings, Bennett Sings" alongside the Count Basie Orchestra. His repertoire featured material from jazz icons and prolific songwriters like Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, George and Ira Gershwin, and Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.
A staunch advocate of human rights, Bennett participated in the civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, led by Martin Luther King Jr., following encouragement from singer and activist Harry Belafonte, who passed away at the age of 96 in April. Revered civil rights leader Jesse Jackson paid tribute to Bennett's dedication to civil and human rights, affirming that his legacy would endure through remembrance.
In the subsequent phase of his career, Bennett etched his name in history with the timeless classic "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," released in 1962. A hidden gem composed by lesser-known songwriters and rediscovered by his musical director, pianist Ralph Sharon, the song eventually became his signature anthem. Although "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" reached only No. 19 on the Billboard chart, its significance in Bennett's legacy remained unparalleled.
In 2016, a statue commemorating Bennett was unveiled at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel, where he had first delivered the iconic song some 55 years prior.
During his late '70s resurgence, with the guidance of his son Danny, Bennett reunited with pianist Ralph Sharon, and his album "The Art of Excellence" in 1986 became his first chart-topping success in 14 years. Through Danny's astute marketing, Bennett found a new fan base among the youthful audience, making frequent appearances on the youth-oriented MTV television network. His "MTV Unplugged" album garnered the prestigious Grammy award for Album of the Year in 1995, along with Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.
The New York Times aptly remarked in 1994, "Tony Bennett has not only bridged the generation gap, but he has also dismantled it," acknowledging his resounding connection with younger audiences raised on rock music, achieved without any compromise in his artistic integrity.
His "Duets" albums in 2006 and 2011 captivated listeners and received widespread acclaim, as he collaborated with younger stars, further endearing him to the newer generation while cherishing ageless classics like "Stranger in Paradise," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Rags to Riches," "I Wanna Be Around," "The Lady Is a Tramp," and "Body and Soul."
A third album of duets, this time with Latin music stars, was released in 2012, and he later collaborated with Lady Gaga on an album in 2014.
In June 2007, Bennett tied the knot with former teacher Susan Crow after an 18-year relationship. Prior to this, he had four children with his previous wives, Patricia Beech and Sandra Grant.
The writing and reporting of this article were accomplished by Bill Trott, with additional contributions from Brendan O'Brien in Chicago and Kanishka Singh in Washington. Editing was skillfully performed by Diane Craft, Jonathan Oatis, and Matthew Lewis.