Legendary singer Tony Bennett Passes
Following his diagnosis, Bennett was an incredible advocate for Alzheimer’s he shared the his story publicly to help reduce stigma and elevate the conversation on behalf of the millions of families facing the disease.
By Earl Heath
Contributing Writer
He was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto. Later in life the late Bob hope convinced him to change his name to Tony Bennett. He became an American jazz and traditional pop singer. He had many accolades, including 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
He was an Army Veteran who fought in WWII. After the war he studied, thanks to the G.I. Bill, at the American Theater Wing school in Manhattan. When he was still singing in his 90s, he credited his bel canto training — an Italian vocal style that dates back to the 18th century and that emphasizes a light tone — for maintaining his instrument.
In 1962, Bennett released his recording of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco“, a decade-old but little-known song originally written for an opera singer.
Other hits included chart-toppers as “Because of You,” “Rags to Riches,” and a remake of Hank Williams’ “Cold, Cold Heart.” He had 24 songs in the Top 40, including “I Wanna Be Around,” “The Good Life,” “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me),” and his signature song, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and now in the first two decades of the 21st.
He was on the front line marching with Martin Luther King and Ralph Abernathy in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches
He performed in the “Stars for Freedom” rally the night before Martin Luther King’s “How Long, Not Long” speech.[54] At the conclusion of the march, Bennett was driven to the airport by Viola Liuzzo, a mother of five from Detroit, who was murdered later that day by the Ku Klux Klan.
Following his diagnosis, Bennett was an incredible advocate for Alzheimer’s he shared the his story publicly to help reduce stigma and elevate the conversation on behalf of the millions of families facing the disease.
Bennett and his family bravely revealed his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in February 2021. Six months later he took to the stage for his final performance at Radio City Music Hall alongside friend and collaborator Lady Gaga. The pair then recorded a public service announcement to help better educate and inform people about the disease. Over the next several years. Bennett shared his story publicly to help reduce stigma and elevate the conversation on behalf of the millions of families facing the disease.
regularly partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association to raise funds and encourage more awareness about the disease.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, more than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, with more than 11 million friends and family providing unpaid care.
He will be remembered forever.
