KWXY Presents ● An Interview with Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett / Publicity Photo / Recording at CBS 30th Street Studios, NYC 1960. Photographer: Don Hunstein - www.tonybennett.com
Tony Bennett is a singer, painter, humanitarian and a veteran of World War II, fighting in The Battle of the Bulge and helping to liberate a concentration camp. He is one of the most highly acclaimed singers of both the 20th and 21st centuries and continued to record, perform and tour until late 2021.
Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926 in Queens, New York. Inspired by artists of the day such as Eddie Cantor and Bing Crosby, he had become an accomplished singer by age 10. At age 13, he held jobs as a singing waiter. Bennett dropped out of school at age 16 to help support his family and at age 18 in 1944, was drafted into World War II where he became a front-line infantry rifleman.
After the war, Bennett returned to singing professionally, scoring his first big hit in 1951, “Because of You.” More number one hits followed, including “Rags to Riches” and “Stranger in Paradise.” The dawn of the rock era saw more hits follow with eight songs making the Billboard Top 40. His signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” was released in 1962 and earned two Grammys.
Photo of Chicago media personality Irv Kupcinet with singer Tony Bennett at the Coach House, Chicago - circa 1950s
By the end of the 1970s, Bennet’s popularity began to wane, and he developed a drug addiction, nearly dying of a cocaine overdose in 1979. Sons Danny and Dae Bennett helped to get his finances under control with Danny signing on as manager. His 1986 album, The Art of Excellence, became his first charted album since 1972 and helped relaunch his career.
A new generation of fans discovered his music beginning in the early 1990s thanks to Danny’s idea to reintroduce him to a younger audience with no change in style or appearance. The plan worked and Bennett found himself the recipient of an MTV Video Music Award, a highly rated appearance on MTV Unplugged and frequent appearances on popular late night television talk shows.
Photo of composer Harold Arlen (left)and singer Tony Bennett (right) rehearsing for the television program The Twentieth Century - January 24, 1964
Bennett continued to perform until after his 95th birthday in 2021, ceasing only because of age and the risk of injury. His final album was Love For Sale, a collaboration with Lady Gaga. A performance of the title song on MTV Unplugged with Lady Gaga was his final television appearance on December 16, 2021. He continues to be active as a painter, with examples of his art on display in galleries all over the world.
After decades of performances, Tony Bennett has become one of the world’s musical icons and considered by many to be one of the greatest singers of all time.
Listen to Music and a Classic Interview with Tony Bennett today at 1pm on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com and ivoxradio.com