Singer Tony Bennett has died, aged 96

Celebrated singer Tony Bennett has died overnight, aged 96, just two weeks short of his birthday.

Bennett, real name Anthony Dominick Benedetto, had been struggling with Alzheimer’s since 2016 and retired from the stage in 2021.

Bennett was a longtime contributor to popular music, usually singing songs written by others but always delivering his unique saloon-style. He recorded and released over 70 albums, sung countless duets, and won 20 Grammy Awards throughout his illustrious career.

Some of his most famous standards were I Left My Heart In San Francisco, The Shadow of Your Smile, Steppin’ Out, For Once In My Life (with Stevie Wonder), and What A Wonderful World (with kd lang).

Tony Bennett with Lady Gaga at the Grammy Awards in 2015.

Bennett was big on duets, recording Body And Soul with Amy Winehouse just days before she passed away, the song appearing on a compilation album that also featured duets with Queen Latifah, Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood and Michael Buble.

Tony Bennett lived in the same Manhattan apartment, where he died, for most of his adult life. He is survived by his wife Susan Benedetto, sons, Danny and Dae, and daughters, Johanna and Antonia Bennett.

Antonino Tati