Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett

• Full name: Anthony Dominick Benedetto
• Born: August 3, 1926
• Birthplace: Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
• Occupation: Singer, actor, painter
• Years active: 1945–present
• Genres: Traditional pop, swing, jazz, big band, standards
• Labels: Columbia, MGM, Reprise, Verve, Columbia, Concord
• Notable awards: 19 Grammy Awards, 2 Primetime Emmy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honors, and a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship.

Biography

Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens, New York City, on August 3, 1926. He was the son of Italian immigrants John and Anna Benedetto. He has two older sisters, Mary and Catherine.

Bennett began singing at a young age, and he was inspired by the music of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. He dropped out of high school at the age of 16 to join the United States Army during World War II. He served in the European theater and was awarded the Purple Heart.

After the war, Bennett returned to New York City and began singing professionally. He adopted the stage name Tony Bennett in 1949. He signed a contract with Columbia Records in 1950, and he released his first album, "Because of You," in 1951.

Bennett's career took off in 1953 when he released the song "Rags to Riches." The song was a major hit, and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Bennett followed up with a string of other hits, including "Stranger in Paradise" (1953), "Cinnamon Cinder" (1953), "Cold, Cold Heart" (1954), and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (1962).

Bennett's popularity waned in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but he made a comeback in the mid-1980s with the release of the album "The Art of Excellence." The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to re-establish Bennett as a major force in popular music.

Bennett has continued to record and perform throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He has released several albums, including "Duets II" (2006), "Viva Duets" (2012), and "Tony Bennett Celebrates 90" (2016). He has also toured extensively, and he has performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Sydney Opera House.

Bennett has been married three times. He was married to Patricia Beech from 1952 to 1971. They had two children together, Danny and Dae. He was married to Sandra Grant from 1971 to 1983. They had two daughters together, Joanna and Antonia. He is currently married to Susan Crow. They were married in 2007.

Bennett has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He announced his diagnosis in 2021, and he has since retired from performing.

Legacy

Tony Bennett is one of the most successful and beloved singers of all time. He has sold over 50 million albums worldwide, and he has won 19 Grammy Awards. He is known for his smooth, velvety voice and his ability to interpret classic songs in a fresh and contemporary way. Bennett is also a gifted painter, and his work has been exhibited in galleries around the world.

Bennett is a true American icon. He has been a part of the American cultural landscape for over 70 years, and he has inspired generations of musicians and fans. He is a legend of popular music, and his legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.