Remembering Tony Bennett
He fought in World War II and delighted audiences for over 70 years, as an artist, Bennett never got stuck in time, and throughout his career he always appreciated new artists and genres, which contributed for his intact popularity to this day.
Remembering Tony Bennett
Born 98 years ago today, he was one of the last surviving living legends of the golden crooning and jazz era and never thought of retiring, He continued as prolific as ever and also outspoken until the day he died.
Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926, in Astoria, Queens, New York, was the son of John Benedetto, a grocer, and Anna Suraci, a seamstress. Raised in a humble household during the Great Depression, Bennett developed a love for music at an early age, influenced by his father’s passion for opera and his uncle’s involvement in the vaudeville scene. Bennett attended the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, where he nurtured his artistic talents, but his education was interrupted by World War II.
Bennett enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 and served on the front lines in Europe. After the war, he studied bel canto singing techniques at the American Theatre Wing, using the G.I. Bill. He performed under the stage name Joe Bari until he was discovered by Pearl Bailey in 1949, who invited him to open for her. It was Bob Hope who suggested he change his name to Tony Bennett, a moniker that would become synonymous with classic American music.
Bennett’s first big break came with the release of “Because of You” in 1951, which became a number one hit. His subsequent hits, including “Rags to Riches” and “Stranger in Paradise,” solidified his place in the music industry. Bennett’s warm, emotive voice and impeccable phrasing distinguished him from his peers.
The 1960s were a golden era for Bennett. His signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” released in 1962, became an instant classic and earned him two Grammy Awards. Bennett’s ability to adapt to the changing musical landscape while staying true to his jazz and pop roots helped him maintain his popularity. He released a string of successful albums, including “I Wanna Be Around” (1963) and “The Many Moods of Tony” (1964).
Bennett’s career faced challenges in the late 1960s and 1970s as rock and roll dominated the music scene. However, his unwavering dedication to the Great American Songbook and his refusal to conform to contemporary trends kept him relevant. A significant resurgence came in the 1980s and 1990s, partly due to his son Danny Bennett becoming his manager and reintroducing him to younger audiences through television appearances and collaborations with contemporary artists. Surprisingly, he was also supported by many of the Alternative Rock artists at the time who praised him and performed alongside the legend. As an artist, Bennett never got stuck in time, and throughout his career he always appreciated new artists and genres and kept an open mind for new sounds and trends, which contributed for his intact popularity and to reach a younger audience who had never heard his music or even about him.
In the 2000s, Bennett continued to thrive, releasing critically acclaimed albums such as “Duets: An American Classic” (2006) and “Duets II” (2011), where he collaborated with artists as diverse as Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Queen Latifah and Andrea Bocelli. His collaboration with Lady Gaga extended to the albums “Cheek to Cheek” (2014) and “Love for Sale” (2021), both of which were commercial and critical successes.
Tony Bennett married Patricia Beech in 1952, and they had two sons, Danny and Dae. The couple divorced in 1971. Bennett’s second marriage to Sandra Grant in 1971 produced two daughters, Joanna and Antonia, but ended in divorce in 1983. In 2007, Bennett married Susan Crow, a former schoolteacher 40 years his junior. Crow has been a significant presence in his life, supporting his career and philanthropic efforts.
Bennett’s personal life was also marked by his love for painting, often signing his work with his birth name, Benedetto. His paintings have been exhibited in galleries around the world and are highly regarded.
Tony Bennett never thought of retiring, he continued as prolific as ever and also outspoken, when in 2012, in the wake of the premature deaths of Winehouse and Whitney Houston which he admired, he called for the legalization of drugs. His last album was “Love Is Here to Stay” with contemporary jazz artist Diana Krall in 2018. Tony Bennett passed away on July 21, 2023, at age 96.
Watch Tony Bennett performing “Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse
Look back at Tony Bennett performing his signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1963 with Judy Garland at her TV show
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