Legendary American singer Tony Bennett, renowned for his rendition of classic American songs and his creation of new standards such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” passed away at the age of 96. Bennett, known as one of the great saloon singers of the mid-20th century, died in his hometown of New York.
Throughout his decades-long career, Bennett won 19 Grammys, released over 70 albums, and earned the admiration of fellow artists and fans alike. Even as he aged, his appeal remained, his voice rich and durable, and his performances marked by an easy, courtly manner.
From Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, he earned high praise from his peers and was able to adapt to the changing music industry, gaining new fans and collaborators across generations. Notably, at the age of 88, he broke his own record as the oldest living performer with a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, “Cheek to Cheek,” a duets project with Lady Gaga.
Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 but continued to perform and entertain audiences, making them “forget their problems,” as he stated in a 2006 interview. His final album, “Love for Sale,” was released in 2021 and featured duets with Lady Gaga.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his contributions to what he called the Great American Songbook, including works by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and Jerome Kern, live on. His devotion to music, his ability to interpret a song, and his enduring popularity across generations make Tony Bennett a true icon of American music.