Remembering Tony

American jazz and traditional pop singer Tony Bennett came into this world as Anthony Dominick Benedetto. During his career, he was awarded 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and 2 Primetime Emmy Awards. He earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, and has sold over 50 million records worldwide. He left this world on July 21, 2023, leaving his music behind for us to enjoy.

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco" is a popular song that was written by Douglass Cross, with music by George Cory in 1953. It became the best-known signature song of Tony Bennett. The song also became one of the official anthems for the city of San Francisco, California. Bennett often performed it in concert.

In honor of his 90th birthday in 2016 a statue of Bennett was unveiled outside The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Two years later, the block of Mason Street was renamed Tony Bennett Way.

“Blue Velvet" is a popular song that was written and composed by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris in 1950. It became a Top 20 hit for Tony Bennett. A live version of the song is featured on the 1962 concert album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. He also recorded a remake of the song singing a duet with Canadian singer and songwriter k.d. lang. This version is on his 2011 album Duets II and in 2012 there is a version of “Blue Velvet” sung by Bennett and Brazilian singer, songwriter, and guitarist Maria Gadu, who sang her part in Portuguese and is on the 2012 album Viva Duets.

"Rags to Riches" is a popular song that was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross in 1953. The song is based on a famous Russian tune “Volga Melody” by Yuri Schetkov. The best-known version of this song was sung by Tony Bennett with Percy Faith and his orchestra.

“Because of You" is a popular song that was written by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson in 1940. It was first recorded by Larry Clinton and his Orchestra and used in the 1951 movie “I Was an American Spy”. Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1951 with Percy Faith and his Orchestra. It became his first major hit and rose to number one on the Billboard charts. He continued to perform this song throughout his career and it was one of the last songs he rehearsed at this piano before he died.

"The Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is a popular song that was written by Al Dubin and Harry Warren in 1933. It was first recorded by Deane Janis and Hal Kemp and his Orchestra. In 1934 American stage, film, radio, and television actress and producer Constance Bennett sang it in the movie “Moulin Rouge”. The song was recorded by Tony Bennett with the Marty Manning orchestra in 1950 and became another of his signature songs.

“The Best Is Yet to Come” is a song that was written by Carolyn Leigh and composed by Cy Coleman in 1959. This became the last song American singer and actor Frank Sinatra sang in public in 1995 and the words “The Best Is Yet to Come” are written on Sinatra’s tombstone. Actually, the song was written for and introduced by Tony Bennett.

“Days of Wine and Roses” is a popular song that was featured in the movie of the same name in 1962. The song was written by Johnny Mercer with music by Henry Mancini. They received the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the 1963 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Tony Bennett recorded a wonderful version of the song and it is featured on his 1966 album The Movie Song Album.