RIP, Tony Bennett

Sad news from the music world, as word has passed that legendary singer Tony Bennett died on Friday. 

Bennett truly had an iconic career in music, one that stretched back to the post-war years, after he had served at the very end of World War II. But first he fought during the last stages of the European theater of war, and was one of the American troops that helped to liberate Dachau. That was a remarkable fact that I somehow just learned about earlier today. Just unbelievable!

These experiences in the war certainly had an effect on him:

In an interview in 2018 with the Baltimore Jewish Times, he said his experience in the Army “turned me into a lifelong pacifist and it’s my hope that all wars and violence will become a thing of the past.”

He continued to develop his singing career right after the war. By the 1950's, he began to enjoy mainstream success. In 1962, he did "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which ultimately became his signature song. 

Over the many decades, he only added to his legacy, and had numerous musical collaborations with other artists. That included a high profile album release with Lady Gaga just a few years back. He felt like the last surviving member of the "old guard" of singers, which included Frank Sinatra. 

I wanted to see Tony Bennett in concert, but never actually managed to do so. However, I did see him once. I was in the city for an unrelated event, and had heard about an appearance that he was making at a Barnes and Noble. I believe it was the one at Union Square, if memory serves correctly. I got there on time to see him physically (see the picture attached), although unfortunately, the event was already closed off, and so I did not get a chance to get an autograph. Still, I did get there on time to catch a glimpse of him (although his talk was pretty much over). That was when I snapped this one and only picture.

He was one of the musicians that it seemed everybody had enormous respect, even almost reverence, for. He will be missed.

RIP, Tony Bennett. 

Tony Bennett at a book signing event. I believe that this was back in 2012. 

Tony Bennett: Legendary US singer who helped to liberate Nazi death camp dies aged 96 The jazz and pop legend helped to liberate the Dachau death camp as a young US soldier  Richard Percival,  July 21, 2023:

https://www.thejc.com/news/news/tony-bennett-legendary-us-singer-who-helped-to-liberate-nazi-death-camp-dies-aged-96-3bcmCWs5ql1u0AGZnGGl2e

Tony Bennett: New Yorkers remember singer’s passion for the arts, frequent order at Italian restaurant BY GREG MOCKER - 07/22/23:

https://thehill.com/homenews/4112376-tony-bennett-new-yorkers-remember-singers-passion-for-the-arts-frequent-order-at-italian-restaurant/