Legendary singer Tony Bennett has died at 96.
Bennett’s publicist Sylvia Weiner confirmed the news to the Associated Press, revealing he died in his hometown of New York. A cause of death has not been revealed, however, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2015.
Bennett was, “The last of the great saloon singers of the mid-20th century” with 19 Grammys and more than 70 albums, according to the outlet.
In an interview with NPR in 2021, Bennett spoke candidly about his humble beginnings and being raised by his mother after the death of his father when Bennett was 9.
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“Well, she was an amazing lady because she was a seamstress. And she worked so hard and raised three children. My older sister helped her so much and raised two boys,” he shared.
Bennett added that he and his siblings “were very close” and he had an idyllic home life.
“And it was different. It was sad not to have a father and very confusing. But it’s funny – it just shows you when people love one another how much – how many things really work out,” he said.
He also revealed the process in which he chooses the right song to sing.
“Well, something I’ve experienced – sometimes I just migrate over to, like, what’s autobiographical? Unconsciously, I’ll just find something, and I say, ‘My God, I’ve experienced that. I’ve lived that,'” he shared.
He continued, “You never know which way it’s going to come from, but what I really look for is a kind of craftsmanship in a song, someone who’s really musically knowledgeable and combines it with great words, so that it meshes. And I like to concentrate on interpretation, on interpreting songs.”
In an interview with the Associated Press in 2016, the “Cheek to Cheek” singer said he enjoyed “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,” he added.
