Tony Bennett, a jazz and popular music legend, has been entertaining audiences for over half a century. Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926, in Astoria, Queens, New York City, he grew up in a poor farming family in Calabria, Italy. His parents, Giovanni "John" Benedetto, a grocer, and Anna Maria (Suraci),a seamstress, had a strong influence on his early life.
As a young boy, Tony sang at the opening of the Triborough Bridge at the age of 10 and studied music and painting at the New York High School of Industrial Arts. However, he dropped out at the age of 16 to support his family, performing as a singing waiter in Italian restaurants.
During World War II, Tony Bennett was drafted into the US Army and served on the front lines until April 1945. He was involved in the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp at Landsberg, Germany. After the war, he sang with the Army military band under the stage name "Joe Bari" until his discharge and return to the US in 1946.
Tony Bennett's early influences included Judy Garland, Louis Armstrong, and Bing Crosby, among others. He eventually developed his own unique style of singing, integrating jazz-style phrasing into his performances by imitating instrumental solos with his voice.
In 1949, Bennett was invited on a concert tour by Bob Hope, who suggested he use the name Tony Bennett. He was signed to Columbia Records in 1950 and made his first big hit, "Because of You," produced by Mitch Miller with orchestration by Percy Faith. The song sold over a million copies, reaching #1 in the 1951 pop charts.
Throughout his career, Tony Bennett has had numerous #1 hits, including "Blue Velvet," "Rags to Riches," and "Stranger in Paradise." He has also collaborated with top jazz musicians, including Count Basie, and has performed at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues.
In the 1960s, Bennett's career experienced a downturn, partly due to the rise of The Beatles and the British Invasion. He separated from his first wife, Patricia Beech, and his marriage ended in divorce. He also struggled with drug addiction and financial difficulties, leading to bankruptcy.
However, Tony Bennett's fortunes changed in the 1980s and 1990s, when he revitalized his career by returning to his original style and the Great American Songbook. He signed with Columbia again, made two gold albums, and developed a surprising and loyal following among audiences in their 20s and 30s.
Tony Bennett has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including multiple Grammy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a lifetime achievement award from ASCAP. He has also been inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame and has sold over 50 million records worldwide.
In his 80th year, Tony Bennett continues to entertain audiences around the world, with a career spanning over seven decades. He has become an international treasure, celebrated for his timeless music, his resilience, and his enduring legacy.
