One of the most legendary crooners of all time, right up there with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the rest of the Rat Pack, Tony Bennett, has passed away at the age of 96, just two weeks before he was due to turn 97. A publicist who works for Bennett confirmed the singer’s death to The Associated Press, revealing that he died in his home town of New York City.
According to the Daily Wire, Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016, however, despite having the condition, he continued to perform live and record music until 2021. And that, my friends, is one of many reasons Bennett was a legend. Most performers today would not possess that level of intestinal fortitude and continue putting on a show for fans while facing such a monumental challenge.
Here’s more from the report:
As one of the preeminent popular singers of the mid-20th century, Bennett said his goal was to create “a hit catalog rather than hit records.” To that end, he released more than 70 albums over the course of his decades-long career. One of the best-loved songs in Bennett’s repertoire was the 1962 classic, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
As one of the preeminent popular singers of the mid-20th century, Bennett said his goal was to create “a hit catalog rather than hit records.” To that end, he released more than 70 albums over the course of his decades-long career. One of the best-loved songs in Bennett’s repertoire was the 1962 classic, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
“I enjoy entertaining the audience, making them forget their problems,” he went on to say during an interview with The Associated Press in 2006. “I think people … are touched if they hear something that’s sincere and honest and maybe has a little sense of humor. … I just like to make people feel good when I perform.”
Bennett was well regarded by his contemporaries. One of the most glowing reviews came from industry great Frank Sinatra, who said during a 1965 Life magazine interview, “For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business. He excites me when I watch him. He moves me. He’s the singer who gets across what the composer has in mind, and probably a little more.”
Bennett was primarily known for his jazz singing, however, he was always able to adapt with the times and retain a high level of popularity, even across generations. That is something many artists in various genres of music dream of achieving, but few rarely do. While jazz was his main genre, he did a lot of crossing over into other mediums and collaborated with a wide variety of different artists.
Bennett first became a huge sensation during the 1950s and 60s, hitting a second wind in his career during the 1990s. He expanded his fan base once again recently by making music with other contemporary artists.
In 2014, the singer did a duets project with Lady Gaga called “Cheek to Cheek,” which eventually gave him the record of being the oldest living performer to have a number one album on the Billboard 200 chart. He was 88 at the time.
Bennett is survived by his loving wife, Susan Benedetto, his sons Danny and Dae Bennett, his daughters Johanna Bennett and Antonia Bennett, and nine grandchildren.
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