RIP Music Legend Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett, the iconic singer and crossover artist who won 20 Grammy Awards and was named a Kennedy Center Honoree, died on Friday at his home in New York City. He was 96.

Bennett’s death was confirmed by his publicist, Sylvia Weiner according to the NY Times. He had been battling Alzheimer’s disease since 2016.

Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens, New York, in 1926. He began his career as a jazz singer in the early 1950s, and quickly became one of the most popular singers in the world. His signature hits included “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Because of You,” and “Rags to Riches.”

In the later part of his career, Bennett collaborated with many top artists including Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, Celion Dion, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga. These collaborations helped to introduce Bennett’s music to a new generation of fans. (See Tony’s collaborations with crossover stars below)

“This is All I Ask” with Josh Groban

“Stranger in Paradise” with Andrea Bocelli

“Silent Night” from Christmas in Vienna with Placido Domingo, Charlotte Church and Vanessa Williams

“When You Wish Upon A Star” with Jackie Evancho

Bennett’s final album, “Love for Sale,” was a collaboration with Lady Gaga. The album was a commercial and critical success, and won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Bennett was a national treasure. His voice was one of a kind, and his songs will be cherished for generations to come.

Natasha Barbieri, Editor

Editor

Creator of Classical Crossover Magazine. For Natasha music has always been closely tied to her faith. At age 18, Natasha made her opera debut playing the part of the mother in Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ with the Eastern Festival Opera. At 20, she was a winner of the 2011 Young Artist Competition at Andrews University. Natasha graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Music. Natasha has released a series of Holiday singles “A Place Called Home” (2020), “One Little Boy,” and “The Perfect Year” (2021). In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Future Classic Women Awards’ show on Men’s & Women’s Radio Station. Natasha is the creator and editor of ‘Classical Crossover Magazine’ a venture that has allowed her to interview many of the top stars in the genre including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Mirusia, Paul Potts, and more. During the covid-19 pandemic, she created an online concert series for the magazine that has seen her perform in the same line-up as Alex Sharpe, Lucy Kay, Barbara Padilla, Classical Reflection, and more on the virtual stage. In 2022, Natasha was included on the charity album “Stars of Classical Crossover: Christmas” in benefit of the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity.