RIP Tony Bennett

[George K]

https://apnews.com/article/tony-bennett-dies-c3b3a7e2360449fb936a38794c7c3266

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 decadeslong 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.

One of my favorite Bennett tunes. I believe this is a Ralph Sharon arrangement.

Link to video

[George K]

Tony Bennett performs in the lobby of a savings & loan in my town in 1963, capping the savings and loan's two-week 100 Million Dollar-versary event.

[Catseye3]

Unquestionably one of the greatest of the great.

You know they have to go, but you hate it when they do.

Thanks for the pleasure. Mr. Bennett. RIP.

[LuFins Dad]

Karla and I saw him perform 4-5 years ago. I had mixed emotions. He sang well, and went straight through a 90 minute set without a break, but there was no pause between songs. No talking, exposition, anecdotes… Nothing. No smiles or acknowledgment of the audience or band members. Just singing the songs. It was like he was on auto play.

[mark]

Found a couple of his LPs from the 50s in a box in my basement. They are from my father's collection.

He definitely had a good voice but, not my preferred genre.

RIP.

[George K]

@LuFins-Dad said in RIP Tony Bennett:

Karla and I saw him perform 4-5 years ago. I had mixed emotions. He sang well, and went straight through a 90 minute set without a break, but there was no pause between songs. No talking, exposition, anecdotes… Nothing. No smiles or acknowledgment of the audience or band members. Just singing the songs. It was like he was on auto play.

Yeah, he was 91 at that time, so I get it.

Still it's kind of sad and disappointing to see that. Wasn't there a video of him somewhat confused during a live performance and Lady Gaga helping him out?

[LuFins Dad]

@George-K said in RIP Tony Bennett:

@LuFins-Dad said in RIP Tony Bennett:

Karla and I saw him perform 4-5 years ago. I had mixed emotions. He sang well, and went straight through a 90 minute set without a break, but there was no pause between songs. No talking, exposition, anecdotes… Nothing. No smiles or acknowledgment of the audience or band members. Just singing the songs. It was like he was on auto play.

Yeah, he was 91 at that time, so I get it.

Still it's kind of sad and disappointing to see that. Wasn't there a video of him somewhat confused during a live performance and Lady Gaga helping him out?

I think so. The issue, and I pray that I’m wrong, is that it did not feel like he was getting any joy of being out there. It felt like they were just pushing him out to squeeze as much juice as they could get from the guy while they could.

[Mik]

I got the opposite impression from the Lady Gaga special. I thought he was in his element, and all those skills and stories, while a bit more distant, were still there. I felt her sincere love for him shined through.

[Copper]

@LuFins-Dad said in RIP Tony Bennett:

to squeeze as much juice as they could get from the guy while they could.

Tony Bennett was terrific. I listen to his work regularly.

His mind left him, several years ago. But, his ability to sing and perform remained.

I saw an interview with him a few years ago that showed him almost unable to communicate but he could still work through his stage show with his accompanist.

found it

Link to video

[Catseye3]

Wow. Bit of a tearjerker there.