American music legend Tony Bennett passed away at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy of timeless songs. Bennett, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, died in his hometown of New York. His death was confirmed by his publicist, Sylvia Weiner.
Known as the last of the great saloon singers of the mid-20th century, Bennett had a decades-long career that won him 19 competitive Grammys and admiration from peers ranging from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga.
Bennett’s remarkable singing voice and easy, courtly manner made him a master of both ballads and up-tempo numbers. He often said his ambition was to create “a hit catalog rather than hit records,” an ambition he realized with more than 70 albums to his credit.
Perhaps his most famous song, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” became Bennett’s signature tune and earned him his first two Grammys, including Record of the Year in 1962. Despite the rise of rock music, Bennett’s career endured so well that he gained new fans and collaborators, including Lady Gaga with whom he released a No. 1 album in 2014, “Cheek to Cheek.”
Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, Bennett’s love for singing was inspired by his Italian immigrant father. Despite growing up in poverty during the Great Depression, Bennett’s talent and dedication led him to become one of the most respected figures in American music.
His death marks an end of an era in American music but his contribution to the Great American Songbook will continue to inspire and enthrall generations to come.