Tony Bennett, an iconic and timeless artist known for his devotion to classic American songs and his ability to create new standards, such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” passed away on Friday at the age of 96. Confirming his death, publicist Sylvia Weiner stated that Bennett died in his hometown of New York. While no specific cause was provided, Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.
Bennett was regarded as the last great saloon singer of the mid-20th century. He often expressed his ambition to create a hit catalog rather than just hit records. Throughout his career, he released over 70 albums and won 19 competitive Grammys, the majority of which were earned after he turned 60. He gained a devoted following from fans and fellow artists alike.
Unlike his friend and mentor Frank Sinatra, Bennett focused on interpreting songs rather than embodying them. His performances were marked by an easy and courtly manner, combined with a remarkably rich and durable voice. He enjoyed caressing ballads and energizing up-tempo numbers.
Bennett aimed to entertain his audience by allowing the music to speak for itself. As he once explained, “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 received praise from his peers throughout his career, with Sinatra himself declaring Bennett as the best singer in the business. He not only survived the rise of rock music but also gained new fans and collaborators, some of whom were young enough to be his grandchildren. In 2014, at the age of 88, Bennett broke his own record as the oldest living performer with a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart for his duets project with Lady Gaga, titled “Cheek to Cheek.” He continued to release successful albums and collaborate with artists from different generations.
Bennett’s last album, “Love for Sale,” released in 2021, featured duets with Lady Gaga on songs like the title track, “Night and Day,” and other hits by Cole Porter. Throughout his career, Bennett aimed to expose new audiences to the Great American Songbook, honoring songwriters such as Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and Jerome Kern.
Ironically, Bennett’s most famous contribution came from two relatively unknown songwriters named George Cory and Douglass Cross. In the early ’60s, they provided Bennett with his signature song, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” at a time when his career was struggling. The song became a grassroots phenomenon and earned Bennett his first two Grammys.
Despite falling out of fashion in his early 40s, Bennett managed to rebrand himself for a younger audience when he turned 60. He appeared on popular shows like “Late Night with David Letterman” and even became a celebrity guest artist on “The Simpsons.” His collaborations and performances with contemporary artists helped him reach new heights and win additional Grammys.
Bennett, who always identified with his hometown of Astoria in New York City, established the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in the same borough, in partnership with his third wife, Susan Crow Benedetto. The school was founded in 2001 and aimed to provide public education focusing on the arts.
Throughout his life and career, Bennett remained true to his roots and his passion for music. He credited his mother for teaching him valuable lessons about hard work and maintaining standards of excellence, even in difficult circumstances. From his early days working as a copy boy for the AP to serving in World War II and pursuing a career in music, Bennett’s determination and dedication to his craft propelled him to become one of the greatest voices in American music.
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