Tony Bennett, one of the last crooners who has had a long carrer since the 50’s and released more than 70 albums with such classics like “I Left My Heart In San Francisco”, as well as bringing him 19 competitive Grammy awards has died at 96.
Bennett died in his hometown of New York, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 but Bennett’s publicist Sylvia Weiner who announced the death that there was no specific cause.
He was from a family of Italian immigrants born in 1936 and his life will be remembered for all the music and unique voice and collobrations of singing with other artist in later years.
Tributes have started and Singer Paul Young was among those paying tribute on Twitter, writing: “Ahhh, RIP Tony Bennett, truly one of the greats. An incredible singer live, saw him many times.
Actor George Takei posted: “Tony Bennett was the last of his kind, a master of the American songbook.
“He may have left his Heart in San Francisco, but he won all of our hearts, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Be at peace, and sing to us now from the stars, Tony.
Musician Nile Rogers added: “My most heartfelt condolences go out to Tony Bennett’s family and friends.”
Director Martin Scorsese and musical contemporaries like Elton John, Billy Joel and Bette Midler paid tribute to Tony Bennett after his death at age 96 on Friday.
“Tony Bennett was a consummate artist. All you have to do is listen to any one of his hundreds of recordings to recognize that,” Scorsese wrote in a statement. “Very early on, his music quietly wove itself into the fabric of our lives,” Scorsese wrote in a statement. “His voice felt as familiar and as close as the voices of our loved ones. I know that this was true for millions of people around the world.”
He was admired by many artist who adored him – including Amy Winehouse, Queen Latifah and Diana Krall; as well as the likes of Paul McCartney, Elton John and George Michael on the 2006 album, Duets: An American Classic.
in 2014, his joint album with Lady Gaga,Cheek to Cheek, made him the oldest living act to reach the top the US charts, breaking his own previous record.
Four years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Bennett performed his final shows alongside Gaga, with whom, for younger fans, he became closely associated.
Another sad loss to one of the greats.
Photo credit Tony Bennett
