Legendary pop vocalist Tony Bennett has died at age 96.
His death was confirmed by publicist Sylvia Weiner, per the Associated Press. He passed in his hometown of New York City on Friday, July 21. A cause of death wasn't revealed, but the singer—perhaps best known for his recordings of show tunes classics and jazz standards—revealed his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2021. In an interview, his family said he was diagnosed in 2016, but he continued to perform up until his retirement in 2021.
"Life is a gift – even with Alzheimer’s," said Bennett in a statement upon sharing his diagnosis. "Thank you to [his wife] Susan and my family for their support, and @AARP The Magazine for telling my story."
His last two shows were at Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga, with whom he released two studio albums; Cheek to Cheek in 2014 and Love for Sale in 2021, which ultimately proved to be his final record. Bennett held the title of the oldest living performer to have a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with Cheek to Cheek, which hit the top spot on the chart when he was 88. Over the course of his career, he released over 70 albums and received 20 Grammy Awards including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Queens in 1926, Bennett served in World War II at age 18. He served as a member of an Armed Forces band after the war and started his career as a recording artist in 1949. He quickly found success due to his iconic tenor. He was one of the most popular recording artists and performers in the '50s and '60s. Bennett found success later in his career in the '90s, including a memorable appearance on MTV Unplugged in '94.
His peer Frank Sinatra, in an interview with Life magazine in 1965, called Bennett "the best singer in the business." In 2001, he founded the Frank Sinatra School of Arts, which was named in tribute to his late friend. Bennett is survived by his wife Susan Benedetto, his four children, and nine grandchildren.
