THE POP EXPOSE – REMEMBERING THE LEGEND TONY BENNETT!
Well hello everyone. Anthony Benedetto better known as Tony Bennett was born August 3rd 1926 in New York City and passed away July 21, 2023 just shy of 97th birthday. Bennett who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 continued to perform till 2021 where he toured with Lady Gaga on his final farewell tour. Bennett’s parents were hard working people but struggled like most people during the Great Depression. Bennett lost his father when he was 10 years old and although Bennett already had a passion for art and music, he worked various jobs including a copy boy for the Associated Press to help his family out in dire times.
Bennett had an interest in singing and was influenced early on by artists such as Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, and Bing Crosby. Bennett would be drafted to the Army during WWII and would fight with the 63rd infantry in Europe. Bennett would launch his singing career in the 50’s and in 1962 would perform on the initial broadcast of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Perhaps Bennett’s most famous song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was also released in 1962. Over the next several decades Bennett would stay strong and perform with and along side many young artists and bands. In a sense he was the Peter Pan of the music industry.
He finished his career with Lady Gaga in an epic final tour. He was added to the Guinness Book of World Records for the oldest person to have a number 1 album on the US charts. Bennett has been a staple to the music industry and although his health gave way, his voice and his class never faltered. He is a world icon and will be missed but never forgotten. RIP Mr Bennett. Have a great week everyone.
