Friday, July 21, 2023

Astoria’s Own Tony Bennett (Anthony Benedetto), WWII Combat Infantryman Who Liberated a Concentration Camp, Dies at 96; Another White Icon Bites the Dust (Videos)

By Grand Rapids Anonymous
friday, july 21, 2023 at 11:36:00 a.m. edt

GRA: Most impressive thing that I know about Tony Bennett was, in the full onset of Alzheimer’s, he went onstage a year ago (with Lady Gaga), and sang his songs better than one would think possible. The next day, he couldn’t remember any of it.

“new york (ap) — Tony Bennett, the eminent and timeless stylist whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’ graced a decades-long career that brought him admirers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, died Friday. He was 96, just two weeks short of his birthday.

“Publicist Sylvia Weiner confirmed Bennett’s death to The Associated Press, saying he died in his hometown of New York. There was no specific cause, but Bennett had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.

“The last of the great saloon singers of the mid-20th century, Bennett often said his lifelong ambition was to create ‘a hit catalog rather than hit records.’ He released more than 70 albums, bringing him 19 competitive Grammys — all but two after he reached his 60s — and enjoyed deep and lasting affection from fans and fellow artists.”

--GRA

Tony Bennett Singing “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” on The Ed Sullivan Show, on November 22, 1964



Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga in 2021 | 60 Minutes



Remembering the life and legendary career of Tony Bennett



6,767 views Jul 21, 2023

“Tony Bennett, one of the greatest singers of American standards, died Friday at the age of 96. A combat infantryman who helped liberate a concentration camp during World War II, he came back to New York in 1946 and was signed by Columbia Records in 1950. He went on to record more than 70 albums and win 19 Grammys. Jeffrey Brown sat down with Bennett in 2014. Here’s some of that interview.”



4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whether you like his singing or not, he was one of the Bad Guys: https://www.newsbusters.org/people-and-organizations/tony-bennett He also bragged about being a stoner. Some people become "legends" not from greatness, but by outliving all their contemporaries. -RM

Anonymous said...

jerry pdx
Can't say I listened to his records but when he appeared on TV his performance was always entertaining. He will be missed.

Anonymous said...

In case no one is compelled to go to the Newsbusters link, here's one of the gems from it: "...singer Tony Bennett declared that President Obama is the 'greatest accomplishment that the United States ever came up with,' and expressed admiration for the President whom he labeled as 'more than intelligent...' " Hey, Dick Van Dyke is a legend too (and still living!), but in real life he's an idiot who supported Commie Bernie Sanders, and shilled for the Dems at a rally which included Sarah Silverman among the performers! I know we should enjoy people for their talents and try to ignore their stupid politics, but a lot of the time they do real harm... -RM

Anonymous said...

You make a valid point--why the pro-black mindset prevails in Hollywood and music as it does among Whites?Tony Bennett,as a war vet,you would believe,would be a conservative--pro America--but he wasn't.He--and THEY--are pro-"America",which aims to destroy the country they fought to protect.To endorse Obama just confirms that mindset.Now whether the "easy life" of making millions,doing what you want for a living and residing in a mansion causes "White guilt"--that's my guess.I wasn't a "fan" of his until the very end,I stated the reason why--performing with Alzheimer's was stunning.But I hated his politics.

--GRA