Tony Bennett has received an enormous amount of love and appreciation over the past 24 hours as fans, colleagues, friends, and family members pay tribute to one of the greatest the music industry has ever seen. His death was confirmed by his wife, Susan Benedetto, and son, Danny Bennett, on Friday.
Susan and Danny took to the late singer’s Instagram account on July 21 to share a photo of Tony Bennett performing at Radio City Music Hall on August 3, 2021 – it was his 95th birthday. They shared a touching message about their loved one’s legacy and the appreciation they have for every single one of his fans.
“Thank you to all the fans, friends and colleagues of Tony’s who celebrated his life and humanity and shared their love of him,” his wife and son wrote. “Tony delighted in performing the songs he loved and making people happy. And as sad as today has been for all of us we can find joy in Tony’s legacy forever.”
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And what a legacy he’s leaving behind – one that dates back more than 80 years when he was just a child performing at the opening of the Triborough Bridge in 1936. Three years later, he started to sing for money as a singing waiter in Italian restaurants in Queens – which his wife alluded to on Instagram.
Tony Bennett spent a few years in the United States Army during the latter stages of World War II before returning to the United States and continuing his career in music. It wasn’t until the 1950s that he started to gain notoriety as a crooner of traditional pop music – his debut album Because of You came in 1952.
Between 1952 and 2021, Tony Bennett released 50 studio albums, three Christmas albums, eight collaborative albums, 11 live albums, and 34 compilation albums. His l accolades include 20 Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 – nine years after marrying his wife, Susan – but it didn’t stop him from continuing to perform and entertain millions around the world. His retirement came in 2021 and, while his short-term memory was growing worse, his long-term memory was largely unaffected.
Tributes Continue to Pour in for Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett touched the lives of many throughout his legendary and iconic career. He built a legacy that will live on forever and one that will continue to inspire generations of singers and entertainers in the years to come. His impact on the industry was felt through the many tributes that continue to pour in.
For example, Billy Joel described Bennett as ‘one of the most important interpreters of American popular song during the mid to late 20th century’ and also ‘one of the nicest human beings’ he had ever met. “He was a joy to work with. His energy and enthusiasm for the material he was performing was infectious.”
President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, expressed their admiration for Bennett’s ‘beautiful voice’ and the joy he brought to millions of fans around the world. “There’s no doubt about it – Tony Bennett’s life was legendary. And his contributions to the arts in America will endure,” they said in a joint statement.
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Among the hundreds of other celebrities to pay tribute was Elton John, who called Bennett the ‘classiest singer, man, and performer you will ever see.’ He described the late singer as ‘irreplaceable’ and sent his condolences to his wife, his son, and the rest of his family – who adored him and his fans greatly.
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