Tony Bennett must have left his heart in Atlanta, considering he returned nearly every year to perform.
“Rosemary Clooney and I were the first ‘American Idols,’” he noted in 2013 while performing a 75-minute set at the tender young age of 86 (two months shy of turning 87).
Bennett, who enjoyed a decades-long music career, died Friday, just two weeks shy of his 97th birthday.
The crooner died in his hometown of New York, publicist Sylvia Weiner told the Associated Press. There was no specific cause, but Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.
In 1982, Bennett performed at the MLK Gala at the Atlanta Civic Center. A special moment backstage — with Stevie Wonder — was shared in a Twitter post Friday.
Tony Bennett with Stevie Wonder backstage during the MLK Gala at the Atlanta Civic Center in Georgia, 1982
— Antoine D (@AD1968F) July 21, 2023
📸 Rick Diamond/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/bDzp4CkvIU
In 2002, he was honored by the King Center for his lifelong fight against racism.
At age 88, the “always-old-school-dapper” Bennett, as the AJC described him, returned with Lady Gaga, who was 29 at the time. It seemed an odd pairing at first, but the pair sold out Chastain Park Amphiteatre on a steamy, sweaty July evening.
7 years ago today: Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett tour 'The Cheek to Cheek Tour' in Atlanta, Georgia.
— Gaga Throwbacks - Fan (@ThrowbacksGaga) July 29, 2022
(Jul 29, 2015) pic.twitter.com/EId0XV8hOH
In 2017, then-90-year-old Bennett sold out Atlanta Symphony Hall, where the recorded voice of Frank Sinatra told fans they were about to witness “the greatest singer in the world.”
The timeless singer again sold out the venue in 2020 — the third time since 2017 — this time on Valentine’s Day.
“Throughout the show,” the AJC wrote, “Bennett smashed several big notes, most impressively to cap ‘The Way You Look Tonight,’ which prompted a houselights-up ovation and a genuine reaction from Bennett.”
“Thanks for being so good to us tonight,” the 93-year-old told his fans that night.
It was his last trip to the Peach State.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Atlantans and others shared their memories of the standards-setting singer on social media Friday morning.
Something that will stick with me forever: despite the Alzheimer’s disease, when the music played, watching how he would become the talent…the performer…the singer…Tony Bennett. #riptonybennett pic.twitter.com/nyysHv7vkj
— Eric-Bo-Beric 🇺🇸 (@ErichinATL) July 21, 2023
Tony Bennett dead at 96. RIP. What a great guy. Always such a sweetheart when on our show. pic.twitter.com/tOcfkHQ0N7
— Steve Barnes (@SBarnes) July 21, 2023
The great Tony Bennett has passed away at the age of 96. He was the last of his kind, a master of the American songbook. He may have left his Heart in San Francisco, but he won all of our hearts, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Be at peace, and sing to us now from the stars, Tony.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 21, 2023
The world was a better place with Tony Bennett at the microphone in a tuxedo, singing. To one of the kindest, most loving people I've ever known... Rest in peace, dear Tony.
— RUTH BUZZI (@Ruth_A_Buzzi) July 21, 2023
💔 Ninety-six is a long life but I still thought he’d live forever. #RIPTonyBennett #TonyBennett, the Gold Standard of Singers Everywhere, Dies at 96 - The Hollywood Reporter https://t.co/KEl6mQA72X
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) July 21, 2023
I had the pleasure of being around Tony Bennett twice in my career, both times at Christmas. We performed on Christmas...
Posted by Reba McEntire on Friday, July 21, 2023
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