American pop and jazz legendary singer, Tony Bennett has died at the age of 96.
Bennet became the torchbearer for the Great American Songbook during a seven-decade career.
His death was confirmed by his publicist Sylvia Weiner, who said he died in his hometown of New York.
The cause of death was not stated.
Bennett, who collaborated with Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga in the last chapter of his astonishing career, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.
Tributes have already been pouring in for the last of the great saloon singers on Twitter, with actor George Takei writing: “The great Tony Bennett has passed away at the age of 96. He was the last of his kind, a master of the American songbook.
“He may have left his Heart in San Francisco, but he won all of our hearts, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Be at peace, and sing to us now from the stars, Tony.”
Mayor of New York City Eric Adams tweeted: “A working class kid from Queens, Tony Bennett sang our song to the world. Don’t let the lyrics fool you – he left is heart right here in New York City. May he rest in peace.”
Singer Paul Young shared a picture of Tony and wrote: “Ahhh, RIP Tony Bennett, truly one of the greats. The first album I had was Tony Bennett sings 10 Rodgers and Hart songs, from when my record company in 1976 let me do a ‘bank raid’ of their vinyl stock and I was a fan from there on in. An incredible singer live, saw him many times.”
Star Trek actor George Takei posted: “Tony Bennett was the last of his kind, a master of the American songbook.
“He may have left his Heart in San Francisco, but he won all of our hearts, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Be at peace, and sing to us now from the stars, Tony.”
Musician Nile Rogers added: “My most heartfelt condolences go out to Tony Bennett’s family and friends.”
Former US first lady Hillary Clinton described Bennett as a “true talent, a true gentleman, and a true friend”. She tweeted: “We’ll miss you, Tony, and thanks for all the memories.”
During a career that spanned eight decades, the crooner sold millions of records and won 20 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award.
Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, to a family of Italian immigrants, Bennett was just 10 years old when his father died, plunging the family into poverty.
As a teenager he became a singing waiter before enrolling to study music and painting at New York’s School of Industrial Art
He was drafted into the US Army in 1944 to fight in France and Germany towards the end of World War Two. “It’s legalised murder,” he said of the scarring experience in an interview with the Guardian in 2013.
After returning home, his singing career continued – first under the name Joe Bari – and his breakthrough came in 1951 with the song Because of You, which gave him his first number-one.
Bennett soon became a teenage icon, releasing his first album in 1952.
The same year his wedding was besieged by female fans in mourning.
He went on to chart in the US in every subsequent decade of his life, building a reputation for making timeless swinging pop hits – like Blue Velvet and Rags to Riches – and, later, show tunes and big band numbers.
He is survived by four children: Danny and Dae from his marriage to Beech, and Joanna and Antonia from his second marriage to Sandra Grant Bennett, who he separated in 1979. He has been married to Susan Crow, 40 years his junior, since 2007.
