Legendary crooner Tony Bennett dead at 96 after Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis

July 21, 2023

tony bennett

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Musical icon Tony Bennett, known for his smooth voice and popular music, died on Friday. He was 96.

The late singer had passed away just two weeks before his birthday in his hometown of New York, Bennett’s publicist Sylvia Weiner told AP.

She added that there was no specific cause of death.

The “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” artist had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.

“There’s a lot about him that I miss,” his wife, Susan Bennett, told AARP Magazine at the time. “Because he’s not the old Tony anymore … But when he sings, he’s the old Tony.”

Among his many admirers was Lady Gaga, who put out an album “Love for Sale” with the musical icon in 2021.

“He’s my friend. He’s my musical companion. And he’s the greatest singer in the whole world. And I’m counting on you, New York, to make him smile,” Gaga told the crowd during one of their performances.

“So you better cheer. You better yell. You better laugh. You better cry. You better give your soul.”

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Over the span of his decadeslong career, Bennett released more than 70 albums, sold more than 50 million records worldwide, and won 20 Grammys.

He was known for many hits including, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” and sang duets with Gaga to “Love For Sale” and “Anything Goes.”