Devastating news is coming out of the music industry.
According to reports shared with the world during the early morning hours of July 21, legendary vocalist and performer, Tony Bennett, has passed away.
Bennett was 96 years old. Bennett would have celebrated his 97th birthday in just two weeks on August 3.
Bennett’s passing was confirmed by his publicist Sylvia Weiner, The Associated Press reports. There is no specific cause of death, reports state.
However, in 2016, Tony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He passed away while in his hometown state, New York.
During his career, Bennett released more than 70 albums and worked with some of the biggest names in the world, including Lady Gaga. He’s won a total of 20 GRAMMYs over the span of his career.
In 2006, Bennett told the AP, “I enjoy entertaining the audience, making them forget their problems. I think people … are touched if they hear something that’s sincere and honest and maybe has a little sense of humor. … I just like to make people feel good when I perform.”
According to The New York Times, Bennett’s last public performance was in August 2021, when he performed at Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga. In fact, he got his start in the industry after being discovered by legendary comedian Bob Hope.
In addition to being one of the best singers in the world, he was also a painter, a WWII veteran, a civil rights activist, a recovering addict, and so much more.
Tony Bennett is survived by his wife, Susan Bennett, and his four children, Danny, Antonia, Dad, and Joanna, and his 9 grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bennett family and the singer’s loved ones.