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Renowned American Jazz Legend Tony Bennett Dies at 96

Pioneered New Standards in U.S. Music

Tony Bennett, the beloved legend of the American music scene, has passed away at the age of 96. 

Tony Bennett, who left a significant mark on the American music scene, passed away on the 21st. Photos recall Bennett singing at a concert in Los Angeles in 2006 celebrating his 80th birthday. Los Angeles=AP Yonhap

According to reports from AP and other outlets, Bennett died in his hometown of New York on the 21st, confirmed by his spokesperson Sylvia Weiner. Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016 but continued to display his passion for music through performances and recordings. His final public performance was in August of that year, alongside Lady Gaga.

Bennett maintained a steady career that spanned seven decades from the 1950s. He released over 70 albums and won 19 Grammy Awards. Known for setting new standards in American popular music with iconic songs like 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco', he was one of the few musicians to successfully traverse between pop and jazz. The media often referred to him as one of the "last great saloon singers of the mid-20th century."

Bennett and Lady Gaga celebrated their win for the Traditional Pop Vocal Album award at the Grammy Awards in February 2015 for their duet album 'Cheek To Cheek'. Los Angeles=AP Yonhap

Despite being shaken by the rock and roll boom of the 1960s and early 70s, Bennett managed to survive and continue to thrive. He later delivered timeless music through collaborations with younger artists such as Carrie Underwood and Amy Winehouse. In particular, his collaboration with Lady Gaga on 'Cheek To Cheek' at the age of 88 in 2014 made quite an impact. The album topped the 'Billboard 200', breaking his own record as the oldest artist to reach number one.

Bennett was also known as a progressive figure. He participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches against racial discrimination, led by civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. He also performed for Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, during Mandela's state visit to the UK in 1996.

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