Tony Bennett has died at the age of 96, it has been reported.
According to Variety, the legendary crooner passed away in New York City this morning (Friday, July 21).
Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. He went public with his condition in early 2021, but continued to record music and sing live until he retired from performing in August of that year.
Born in New York City in 1926, Bennett won 20 Grammy Awards throughout his lengthy career, including a lifetime achievement award. He has sold more than 50million records worldwide.
His debut album, ‘Because Of You’, came out in 1952. Bennett released over 70 albums in total. The veteran artist’s final studio recording was 2021’s ‘Love For Sale’, a collaborative collection with Lady Gaga.
Bennett and Gaga played two special shows at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2021 shortly before the former announced his retirement. The performances were captured for a TV special titled One Last Time, which subsequently earned a nomination at the Emmys in the Outstanding Variety Special category.
The pair had previously joined forces on a 2014 duet LP called ‘Cheek To Cheek’.
During a 1965 interview with Life Magazine, Bennett’s friend and mentor Frank Sinatra described the late star as “the best singer in the business” (via BBC News).
“He excites me when I watch him. He moves me,” Sinatra explained. “He’s the singer who gets across what the composer has in mind, and probably a little more.”
This is a developing story and will be updated…