The music world is reeling from the loss of yet another legend, as Tony Bennett, the maestro
of jazz and traditional pop, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023.
In honor of Bennett's extraordinary career, we want to take a few minutes to journey through
the most memorable chapters of his life story, touching on both his professional triumphs
and his personal accomplishments.
Our tribute also brings into focus his loved ones, four children and a wife, who have stood
by him through his journey.
As we remember Bennett, we hope to illuminate not just the artist, but also the man behind
the voice that charmed generations.
Facts Verse Presents: Tony Bennett Just Died, Now His Son Confirms the Sad Truth
The Making Of A Legend
Tony Bennett was born as Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926, in Astoria, Queens,
New York City, to a hardworking Italian-American family.
The joyful sound of music was a constant in his family home, fostering in him a fondness
for singing from an early age.
With the death of his father and the onset of the Great Depression, Bennett's adolescence
was marked by significant hardship.
As a teenager, he started working as a singing waiter to help his family, but his dreams
of one day becoming a professional singing career remained firmly intact.
Despite his less-than-ideal circumstances, he continued to perform in various venues
throughout New York City, gradually building his reputation as a talented vocalist.
During World War II, Bennett was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Even in the throes of war, his musical passion never waned.
His talent stood out, with his performances providing a sense of comfort and unity among
his fellow troops.
After the war, Bennett's career took off.
In 1949, he caught the eye of renowned composer Pearl Bailey, who offered him an opening act
slot for her show in Greenwich Village.
Comedian Bob Hope was in the audience one night and was blown away by Bennett's dexterity
and stage presence.
Hoping to add a dash of fertilizer to Bennett's early career, Hope recommended a name change
from Anthony Benedetto to the more catchy "Tony Bennett".
Taking Bob's friendly advice, Tony adopted this new name, marking the official start
of his professional career.
In the early 1950s, Bennett started to achieve commercial success.
His releases like "Because of You," "Rags to Riches," and the iconic "I Left My Heart
in San Francisco" consistently topped the charts.
Interestingly, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," came from relatively unknown artists George
Cory and Douglass Cross.
The song found its way to him at a time when his career was experiencing a bit of a downturn,
but after it's release, it pulled him straight out of that slump.
This signature tune became an unexpected phenomenon, staying on the charts for over two years and
winning him his first two Grammys.
Bennett's musical style remained distinctive, even as rock and roll started to dominate
the airwaves, his dedication to his own style of music rewarded him with a dedicated fan
base.
Even in 2023, you can still hear Bennett's heartfelt songs on radio stations and streaming
services across the globe, introducing a whole host of newcomers to his work with each passing
generation.
But before we dive deeper into our exploration of Tony Bennett's remarkable ability to adapt
and reinvent himself in the ever-shifting cultural landscape, let's pause for a moment
to honor and remember him, as we grapple with the profound sadness of his passing.
Bennett’s Publicist Broke The Tragic News
The iconic and enduring artist known for his passionate interpretation of classic American
tunes and for crafting evergreen hits like "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" passed
away on Friday, July 21, 2023.
Tony’s career spanned close to eight decades, gaining him a diverse assortment of equally
famous devotees ranging from Frank Sinatra to Amy Winewise to Lady Gaga.
The legendary artist was 96 years old and was only two weeks shy of celebrating his
birthday when he passed.
Bennett’s demise was confirmed by his publicist Sylvia Weiner, informing The Associated Press
that the artist breathed his last in his birthplace, New York.
The cause of his demise has not yet been specified, but it was widely known that the musician
had been battling Alzheimer’s disease since 2016.
This virtuoso was one of the last remnants of the lounge singer scene of the mid-20th
century.
Perhaps most notably, all throughout his robust career, he was known to be a torchbearer of
the great American Songbook.
Never one to compromise or sell out, he consistently articulated his lifelong dream of creating
"a hit catalog rather than hit records."
Along his storied musical journey, he released over 70 albums, which won him 19 Grammys.
The majority of these awards came after he was 60, highlighting his ‘never give up
– never back down’ persistence and enduring appeal.
Instead of weaving his personal experiences into his performances, Tony preferred to let
the music narrate its own story.
His style was marked by a refined, gentlemanly manner, coupled with a remarkably rich and
lasting voice that he often described as a "tenor who sings like a baritone".
His ability to skillfully handle both ballads and up-tempo numbers set him apart and earned
him a legion of devoted fans in the process.
Despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer's more than half a decade ago, Tony’s legendary
voice was undiminished.
In February 2021, the late-artist's wife and son disclosed his diagnosis in an edition
of AARP The Magazine, which detailed his "increasingly rarer moments of clarity and awareness."
This now-legendary musical star saw his performances as both a means of providing entertainment
to his audience as well as helping them momentarily escape from their troubles.
In a 2006 interview with The Associated Press, he summed up his musical philosophy by saying,
"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 Constantly Reinvented Himself
Highly revered by all his colleagues, contemporaries, and cohorts, a 1965 Life magazine interview
quoted Old Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, praising Bennett by saying, "For my money,
[he] is the best singer in the business.
He excites me when I watch him.
He moves me.
He’s the singer who gets across what the composer has in mind, and probably a little
more.”
As previously stated, Bennett showed exceptional resilience by surviving the emergence of rock
music and continuing to reinvent himself.
He continued to attract new fans and collaborators, some of whom were young enough to be his grandchildren.
At 88, he became the oldest living performer with a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart
for "Cheek to Cheek".
His final album, the 2021 release "Love for Sale," saw him perform duets with Lady Gaga,
further cementing his legacy with both his core fans and a newer, younger generation.
A versatile performer who straddled both pop and jazz, he aimed to introduce the Great
American Songbook to new audiences.
He stated in a 2015 interview with Downbeat Magazine, “No country has given the world
such great music.
Those songs will never die.”
The artist was able to reinvent his image and appeal to a younger audience even after
reaching what many would deam retirement age, a feat rarely achieved by even the most popular
artists.
This was largely due to his son and manager, Danny, who found innovative ways to market
his father to the MTV Generation.
His collabs with other singers won him additional Grammys, and he celebrated his 80th birthday
with the collaborative album “Duets: An American Classic,” featuring the likes of
Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Tony’s Surviving Family
Tony Bennett's rich legacy is carried forward by his beloved family.
His four children, two sons and two daughters, held a very special place in his heart - a
sentiment he shared in numerous interviews.
His sons, D'Andrea 'Danny' Bennett and Daegel 'Dae' Bennett, were born to his first wife,
Patricia Beech.
His daughters, Joanna and Antonia, were born from his second marriage to Sandra Grant.
Danny, born on February 3, 1954, and Dae, born in 1955, played significant roles in
their father's career.
Danny, a passionate steward of his father's legacy, managed Tony's career from 1979 until
his retirement in 2021, often being credited for its revival.
Meanwhile, Dae contributed to his father's work as a musician and producer, even winning
10 Grammy Awards for his efforts.
The two sons also have children of their own, giving Tony the joy of seven grandchildren,
which he often referred to as his "greatest accomplishment."
Joanna, born in 1969, and Antonia, born on April 7, 1974, completed Tony's quartet of
children.
While the exact nature of their relationships with their father wasn't as widely publicized
as those of their brothers, they remained an integral part of his life.
Beyond his children, Tony's final chapter of love was written with his third wife, Susan
Crow Benedetto.
Despite their 40-year age difference, the couple shared a profound love for each other,
dating for 20 years before they officially tied the knot.
Susan was not just a loving partner, but also a devoted caregiver as Tony battled Alzheimer's
disease.
They found common ground in their shared love for music and a mutual passion for education,
even co-founding the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts and the non-profit organization
Exploring The Arts.
Tony's life was a harmonious tapestry of love, music, and family.
Despite his passing, his memory and influence continue to live on through his family - his
four children, seven grandchildren, and his devoted wife, Susan.
As we remember him, we also pay homage to this remarkable family who shared in his journey,
supporting and inspiring him every step of the way.
Outro
Tony Bennett may no longer be with us, but his memory will undoubtedly endure for ages.
As an icon of his caliber, his influence is poised to persist for many decaes as his timeless
music continues to resonate and captivate new generations of fans.
Could you single out a Tony Bennett song or album that resonated with you?
Were you aware of his courageous battle against the progressively devastating Alzheimer's
disease?
In honoring the exceptional life path of Tony Bennett, we encourage you to join the conversation
in the comments section down below and share your reflections, recollections, or cherished
melodies associated with him.
If his soulful tunes have stirred your emotions, if his resilience has ignited inspiration
within you, or if his life narrative has deeply moved you, we would be delighted to hear your
perspectives.