Anthony Dominick Benedetto

One of the greats of American popular music, Tony Bennett's languid vocal style has captivated fans of all ages across six decades. The son of an Italian immigrant grocer growing up in poverty in New York, Bennett returned home after fighting on the front line in World War II to embark on one of the great show business careers of all time. His first break came when singer Pearl Bailey asked him to open shows for her, leading to Columbia Records releasing his first hit - the ballad 'Because of You' - in 1951. Other hits like 'Blue Velvet', 'Rags to Riches' and 'Stranger in Paradise' followed as Bennett expanded his style to incorporate big band jazz. In 1962 he recorded his defining signature song 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco', which became a hit all over the world. His career stalled, however, after his marriage broke up and he suffered from ill health and drug problems, but he bounced back in the mid-1980s with a return to the classic American songbook as a new generation fell in love with his easy listening style. He even became a cult hero with younger audiences after collaborations with artists ranging from Elvis Costello to Bono and appearances at rock events, notably Glastonbury Festival. In 2010, at the age of 84, Bennett was one of the artists who performed on the 'We Are the World: 25 for Haiti' charity single. The following year he released 'Duets II', a follow-up to his previous collaborative album, featuring tracks with Lady Gaga, Willie Nelson and Aretha Franklin. Refusing to slow down in his advancing years, 2015 saw him release an album of Jerome Kern songs titled 'The Silver Lining - The Songs of Jerome Kern'. The following year, just before his 90th birthday, Bennett was honoured with an eight-foot statue of his likeness outside the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel, the location of his first performance of his most famous song. In 2018 he teamed up with jazz singer Diana Krall to record the collaborative album 'Love Is Here to Stay'. © ©Copyright Music Story 2020