Tony Bennett, the legendary singer whose death was announced on Friday, left a lasting impression on Los Angeles in 2015. He mesmerized the audience of all ages at the Hollywood Bowl with his unforgettable performance alongside Lady Gaga, where they danced and sang a remarkable set of standards.
Bennett, who was born and raised in New York, passed away in his hometown at the age of 96, just days before his birthday. While the cause of death was not specified, it was revealed in 2021 that Bennett had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Although “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” remains his most iconic song, Bennett’s impact extended far beyond his signature tune. He was a true citizen of the world, captivating fans across the globe with his interpretations of the Great American Songbook. His talent earned him the admiration of fellow musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Lady Gaga, and Amy Winehouse.
In addition to his music career, Bennett was also an accomplished painter who signed his creations with his given name, Anthony Benedetto. He wrote his autobiography, “The Good Life: The Autobiography of Tony Bennett,” in 1998 and starred in the documentary “The Zen of Bennett” in 2012.
Bennett received numerous accolades throughout his lifetime, including being named as a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2005 and a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2006.
Born as Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926, in Queens, New York, Bennett came from humble beginnings. After his father’s passing when he was just 10, his mother worked as a seamstress to provide for Bennett and his two siblings.
Although Bennett attended the High School of Industrial Arts in New York City, he dropped out to help support his family. He worked as a singing waiter and, during World War II, served in the Army infantry. His military experience took him to Europe, where he engaged in close combat fighting in France and Germany, ultimately attaining the rank of corporal.
Using the G.I. Bill, Bennett pursued singing at the American Theatre Wing. It was here that his vocal coach imparted valuable advice: “Don’t imitate other singers; emulate instrumentalists instead.”
Under the name Joe Bari, Bennett caught the attention of Pearl Bailey in 1949, who invited him to open for her show in Greenwich Village. His talent soon drew the interest of Bob Hope, a Toluca Lake resident, who urged him to adopt the name Tony Bennett and provided him with an opportunity to perform in his popular road show. As Bennett told Billboard in 1997, “I’ve been on the road ever since.”
In 1950, Bennett signed with Columbia Records, a label he remained loyal to for most of his career. His early pop hits, including “Because of You” and “Cold, Cold Heart,” garnered acclaim. By the late 1950s, Bennett’s album “Basie Swings, Bennett Sings” foreshadowed his future jazz-focused work.
However, it was his debut of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1962 that catapulted him to stardom. The song earned Bennett his first Grammy for Best Record of the Year and Best Solo Vocal Performance. Throughout his career, Bennett accumulated a total of 20 Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Emmys.
In the 1970s, Bennett parted ways with Columbia Records when the label attempted to steer him towards a more contemporary direction. With his eldest son, Danny, managing his affairs, Bennett made a triumphant comeback in 1986 with “The Art of Excellence,” his first studio album in nearly a decade.
This marked the beginning of a remarkable resurgence in Bennett’s career. He made memorable appearances on talk shows such as “Late Night with David Letterman” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Bennett even made an animated cameo on “The Simpsons.” His performance on “MTV Unplugged” earned him two Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.
In the late 1990s, Bennett found himself embraced by a new, younger audience amid the swing revival sparked by the cult film “Swingers.” Bennett’s inclusion on the film’s soundtrack alongside Dean Martin and Bobby Darin helped him reach a new generation of fans.
This was followed by a series of tribute albums, including ones dedicated to Bennett’s childhood idol Frank Sinatra, as well as Fred Astaire and Billie Holiday.
In 2002, Bennett collaborated with k.d. Lang on the album “A Wonderful World,” which earned him a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. This marked the beginning of a series of successful duet recordings that aligned with the trend of the time.
For his 80th birthday in 2006, Bennett released the chart-topping album “Duets: An American Classic.” The album featured collaborations with renowned artists such as Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Michael Bublé. A sequel titled “Duets II” followed, featuring performances from Aretha Franklin, Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, and a poignant recording of “Body and Soul” with the late Amy Winehouse.
In March of the same year, Bennett won his first Grammy for the duet with Winehouse, as well as for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Remarkably, “Duets II” reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart, making Bennett the oldest artist to achieve a No. 1 album at the age of 85. Additionally, the documentary film “The Zen of Bennett” chronicled the making of “Duets II.”
In February 2021, Bennett bravely shared his battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He had received the diagnosis five years earlier. Despite his condition, he released his final album, “Love For Sale,” that same year and performed his last concert, aptly named “One Last Time,” alongside Lady Gaga. The first show took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Bennett’s 95th birthday.
Bennett is survived by his wife Susan, his children Johanna, Antonia, Danny, and Dae, as well as nine grandchildren.
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