Tony Bennett, king of the American Songbook, dead at 96
Tony Bennett, the iconic singer known for epitomizing the American Songbook, has passed away at the age of 96. He died in New York City on Friday, as confirmed by his representative. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, he continued to perform live and release new music.
His second duet album with Lady Gaga, Love For Sale, even reached the Billboard Top 10 when he was 95 in 2021. Bennett celebrated his retirement with two memorable nights at Radio City Music Hall that same year.
Bennett gained fame as a sophisticated crooner in the 1950s and became one of radio’s most popular hit-makers. He was known for his captivating stage presence, carrying an intimate nightclub sensibility wherever he went, and his style reflected a timeless coolness that matched his age.
At the young age of 20, Anthony Dominick Benedetto, who would later be known as Tony Bennett, recorded his first songs, including “St. James Infirmary Blues.” This recording took place shortly after World War II when he was serving in a U.S. Army band stationed in Germany.
Though the world came to know him as Tony Bennett, it was Bob Hope who bestowed that name upon him. Born in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, Bennett faced challenges early in life as his father passed away when he was just 10 years old. To support his family, he had to leave high school and take up various odd jobs.
Bennett eventually became a singing waiter in Astoria, Long Island. He cherished this job so much that he once expressed that he would be content doing it for the rest of his life. Music was deeply ingrained in Bennett’s family, with his father having a musical background that began in Italy, where he charmed his community with his operatic singing.
In Calabria, Italy, Bennett’s father gained a reputation for singing on top of the mountain, and his beautiful voice was enjoyed by the entire valley.
Utilizing the G.I. bill, Tony Bennett pursued formal studies in opera, particularly focusing on the bel canto singing technique. During his studies, a teacher advised him to model his phrasing after instrumentalists, which ultimately helped him discover his own unique voice.
In 1950, Bennett’s demo of “The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” caught the attention of producer Mitch Miller at Columbia Records, leading to his signing with the label. Soon after, he achieved tremendous success, selling millions of records and embarking on a remarkable 10-year streak of hits.
Despite gaining fame as a crooner, Bennett had a strong affection for jazz, although he was uncertain if he could successfully delve into it. His long-time accompanist and arranger, Ralph Sharon, who had been by Bennett’s side for over five decades, shared that while Tony often claimed he wasn’t a jazz singer, he possessed an exceptional sense of rhythm and beat.
This jazz sensibility that Bennett brought to pop music earned him admiration from the likes of Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Musicians enjoyed performing with him, and his music appealed to jazz enthusiasts as well.
Tony Bennett’s pursuit of formal opera studies, with a focus on the bel canto technique, was made possible through the G.I. bill. During his training, he received valuable advice from a teacher to emulate instrumentalists in shaping his phrasing, which led him to develop his own distinct and captivating voice.
In 1950, Bennett’s demo of “The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” caught the attention of Columbia Records producer Mitch Miller, resulting in a record deal with the label. This marked the beginning of a highly successful period for Bennett, as he achieved immense popularity, selling millions of records and enjoying an impressive 10-year run of hit songs.
Although Tony Bennett gained fame as a crooner, he held a deep affinity for jazz. Despite his initial uncertainty about venturing into jazz, his accompanist and arranger of more than five decades, Ralph Sharon, revealed that Bennett possessed an innate sense of rhythm and beat.
This jazz sensibility infused into his pop music endeared him to jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Musicians found great joy in performing with him, and his music resonated with jazz enthusiasts as well.
According to Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett’s long-time accompanist and arranger, a significant moment occurred during their visit to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Sharon pulled out a song from his bag and showed it to Bennett, mentioning that they would be going to San Francisco next and that the song might be worth considering.
The song in question turned out to be “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” which went on to become a massive international hit. It remained on the U.S. charts for nearly a year and earned Bennett two Grammy Awards for his exceptional performance.
As Tony Bennett’s fame soared, he used his platform to support various social causes, including civil rights. In 1965, during the events known as “Bloody Sunday,” protesters marching from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, were subjected to violence.
Two weeks later, Harry Belafonte convinced Bennett to join him in Montgomery to perform, despite the risks posed by the volatile situation. Bennett courageously stood up against the violence and lent his voice to advocate for civil rights, leaving a lasting impact with his commitment to social justice. He later spoke about this experience in an interview with CNN in 2013.
Tony Bennett shared his experience with CNN about his involvement in the civil rights movement, admitting that he initially didn’t want to participate. However, upon hearing about the violent acts perpetrated against Black protesters, including incidents where people were burned with gasoline, he decided to join Harry Belafonte in going to Montgomery to perform and support the cause.
As music trends evolved, Bennett remained true to his musical style and mostly resisted singing rock, the emerging genre at the time. Instead, he stayed devoted to standards and collaborated on two highly praised albums with jazz pianist Bill Evans. Bennett continued performing in smaller venues and made appearances on various television shows, including The Muppet Show, David Letterman, The Simpsons, and MTV.
In 1994, Bennett’s performance on MTV Unplugged, which featured a cameo by k.d. lang, became a great success and marked the beginning of a new era for him. The show and album resonated with a brand-new generation of listeners, introducing his timeless voice to a whole new audience.
Over the next two decades, Bennett engaged in duet recordings with numerous artists, ranging from Stevie Wonder to Lady Gaga. The collaboration with Lady Gaga, in particular, not only became highly acclaimed but also introduced him to a legion of young fans, with Gaga becoming one of his most enthusiastic supporters and ambassadors to the newer generation.
Tony Bennett expressed in a 2011 interview with NPR that music was his life and the key to his long-lasting career and vitality. He had a profound love for life itself and wished he could convey to the entire world the precious gift of being alive.
For Bennett, being alive meant embracing and pursuing his passions. Besides music, he found joy in painting landscapes and portraits, signing his artwork under the name “Antonio Benedetto.” His diverse interests and creative pursuits enriched his life and added to the depth of his artistic expressions.
Throughout his remarkable journey as a singer, painter, and overall artist, Tony Bennett’s passion for life and dedication to his craft resonated with audiences worldwide, leaving an enduring impact on the world of entertainment and the hearts of many.
