Tony BENNETTLegendary singer Tony Bennett has died at the age of 96, just two weeks before his birthday.
His death was confirmed by his publicist Sylvia Weiner, who said he died in his hometown of New York. Tributes have already been pouring in for the last of the great saloon singers.
Bennett - who collaborated with Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga in the last chapter of his astonishing career - had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. His cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
He continued to perform and record his music until 2021 when he was forced to retire under doctor's orders.
Tony's son Danny Bennett confirmed his father's retirement following the singer's sold-out shows at New York's Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga.
Born Anthony Benedetto in 1926, he began singing as a youngster but after serving with the US Army in France and Germany during the war he studied in the American Theatre Wing.
In 1949 he was discovered by Bob Hope and signed to Columbia Records and had two hit singles in 1951. Tony claims his career took off thanks to Frank Sinatra who heaped praise on the young crooner in a magazine interview in the early 50s.
"He changed my life," said Tony. "I was moderately popular then Frank called me the best he’d heard. Since then I sold out around the world."
Sinatra was also a huge fan of Tony. In 1965, he said: "For my money, Tony Bennett 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."
Judy Garland called Tony "the greatest singer in the world".
He performed for 10 US Presidents, joined Martin Luther King in the 1965 civil rights march and was honoured by the UN for his humanitarian work. And he was the first celebrity cameo in The Simpsons. Tony was best known for his 1962 classic hit I Left My Heart in San Francisco. In the later part of his career, he collaborated with Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga.
Our thoughts are with Tony's family, friends and many fans. We invite you to share your memories and pay tribute to Tony Bennett below.
* Credit mirror.co.uk for the story.
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