By Mark Gray
7:00pm PDT, Jul 31, 2023
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Tony Bennett, one of the most iconic and beloved voices of all time, died at 96 on July 21. Over the course of his eight-decade career, Tony won 19 Grammys and two Emmys and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy. His last public concert performances were at Radio City Music Hall in August 2021 to celebrate his 95th birthday. Just a few months prior to that, Tony's family announced he'd been battling Alzheimer's disease but was still managing to record music. After his death, Tony's official Twitter shared this message: "Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was, 'Because of You,' his first #1 hit. Tony, because of you we have your songs in our heart forever."
Since Tony was an icon in the entertainment world, many top-line celebrities publicly mourned his death. Keep reading to see how the legend is being remembered…
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"I will miss my friend forever. I will miss singing with him, recording with him, talking with him, being on stage together. With Tony, I got to live my life in a time warp. Tony & I had this magical power. We transported ourselves to another era, modernized the music together, & gave it all new life as a singing duo. But it wasn't an act. Our relationship was very real. Sure he taught me about music, about showbiz life, but he also showed me how to keep my spirits high and my head screwed on straight. 'Straight ahead,' he'd say. He was an optimist, he believed in quality work AND quality life. Plus, there was the gratitude…Tony was always grateful. He served in WWII, marched with Martin Luther King Jr., and sang jazz with the greatest singers and players in the world.
"I've been grieving the loss of Tony for a long time. We had a very long and powerful goodbye.
"Though there were 5 decades between us, he was my friend. My real true friend. Our age difference didn't matter– in fact, it gave us each something neither of us had with most people. We were from two different stages in life entirely–inspired. Losing Tony to Alzheimer's has been painful but it was also really beautiful. An era of memory loss is such a sacred time in a person's life. There's such a feeling of vulnerability and a desire to preserve dignity. All I wanted was for Tony to remember how much I loved him and how grateful I was to have him in my life. But, as that faded slowly I knew deep down he was sharing with me the most vulnerable moment in his life that he could–being willing to sing with me when his nature was changing so deeply. I'll never forget this experience. I'll never forget Tony Bennett. If I could say anything to the world about this I would say don't discount your elders, don't leave them behind when things change. Don't flinch when you feel sad, just keep going straight ahead, sadness is part of it. Take care of your elders and I promise you will learn something special. Maybe even magical. And pay attention to silence—some of my musical partner and I's most meaningful exchanges were with no melody at all.
"I love you Tony. Love, Lady" –a grieving Lady Gaga, who posted this heartfelt message on Instagram, along with a photo of them hugging, 10 days after Tony Bennett's death
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"Rest in peace, Tony. You were the epitome of a gentleman with a God given one-of-a-kind voice. It was truly a great honor of my career and of my life to get to share the stage with you…" —Carrie Underwood
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"Rest in Peace Tony Bennett. It was such an honor to work with one of the world's most beloved, respected and legendary singers of the past century. We will miss you" —Mariah Carey
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"Rest in Peace Tony Bennett. You were timeless! Your legendary music is cherished by generations and your talent at painting only exemplified the many talents you beheld. We will miss you very much. A sad day for the world." —Priscilla Presley
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"I had the pleasure of being around @itstonybennett twice in my career, both times at Christmas. He was a gentleman and a music icon and his voice will live on for years to come. Rest in peace, Tony." —Reba McEntire
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"The world lost a true legend today. Tony Bennett was a brilliant artist and a soulful, kind and loving human being. I had the honor and pleasure of performing beside him, but it's his act of almost unbelievable generosity that will go down as one of my life's greatest memories: at a joint party celebrating my 30th and my father's 80th birthday, Mr. Bennett was a surprise performer who serenaded my dad with an a cappella performance of "Fly Me To The Moon" without so much as a microphone. He was operatic. I'd never seen or heard anyone do that, and probably never will again. It set the benchmark in my life for what a person could give of themselves without asking for anything in return. There is much to remember today about this great man, and I wanted to share this story along with the many who are sharing theirs. Rest in peace, sir, and thank you for touching my life like you did." —John Mayer
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"Just heard about the great Tony Bennett passing. What a legacy of not only superb timeless music, but a class act study in cool, grace, and elegance." –Keith Urban
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"So sad to hear of Tony's passing. Without doubt the classiest singer, man, and performer you will ever see. He's irreplaceable. I loved and adored him. Condolences to Susan, Danny and the family." —Elton John
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"Tony Bennett was full of greatness. The consummate musician who had a warm and gracious soul. He gave the world decades of music that was easy to love. We will be forever grateful to have known him." —The Chicks
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"We lost a true legend today. Many years ago, Tony gave me my first shot at a live performance. I opened for him, did 20 minutes of standup, no singing, and tap danced to "Cute". Thanks for everything, Tony. Rest in peace." —Tony Danza
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"Tony Bennett was the one of the most important interpreters of American popular song during the mid to late 20th century. He championed songwriters who might otherwise have remained unknown to many millions of music fans. His was a unique voice that made the transition from the era of Jazz into the age of Pop. I will always be grateful for his outstanding contribution to the art of contemporary music. He was a joy to work with. His energy and enthusiasm for the material he was performing was infectious. He was also one of the nicest human beings I've ever known." –Billy Joel via Rolling Stone
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"Tony Bennett was a legend and an inspiration to so many. My thoughts & prayers are with his family and friends today. May you have Godspeed, my friend" —Bret Michaels
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"Tony Bennett was an iconic songwriter and entertainer who charmed generations of fans. He was also a good man—Michelle and I will always be honored that he performed at my inauguration. We're thinking of his wife Susan, his kids, and everyone who is missing him today." –Barack Obama
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"Tony Bennett is one of the greatest vocalists, storytellers and interpreters of all time. To say he was an important part of who I became is an understatement. My grandpa was constantly playing Tony Bennett records when I was growing up, and it was the honor of a lifetime to learn from him. Having my hero take me under his wing was one of the greatest moments of my life and my career. How did I get so lucky to kneel at the feet of the master for 2 decades? Tony, I'll never stop learning from you, and I promise you I'll do my best to keep the music we cherish alive. I love you." — Michael Buble
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"Sending my prayers for and condolences to the family of #TonyBennett whose legendary career spanned seven decades. He marched with us in 1964. He was dedicated to civil and human rights and to the arts. He will live as long as we remember him. #IleftmyheartinSanFrancisco" –Rev. Jesse Jackson
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"My dad played Tony Bennett around the house my whole childhood. His music has always made me feel at home and safe. What a gift he brought to the world and what a classic, beautiful legacy he leaves forever." –Kelsea Ballerini
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"Very sad to hear about Tony Bennett's passing. Rest in Peace" –Ozzy Osbourne
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"The Singer's Singer, Tony Bennett, has died. I'm thankful I was alive during his musical reign, to hear and treasure the music he made and the man himself. He will be sorely missed." –Bette Midler
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"Tony Bennett was a consummate artist. All you have to do is listen to any one of his hundreds of recordings to recognize that. Very early on, his music quietly wove itself into the fabric of our lives. His voice felt as familiar and as close as the voices of our loved ones. I know that this was true for millions of people around the world. For Italian-Americans who were growing up in the middle of the twentieth century, that familiarity ran even deeper. At a certain point, we started to imagine that Tony would live forever. Of course he didn't. Nobody does. But the music? That's another story." –Martin Scorsese via Rolling Stone
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"Today we lost an icon of icons. Kind, considerate and as Sinatra was quoted as saying, the best singer of them all. Rest In Peace, Tony Bennett." —Gene Simmons
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"Tis w/ gr8 sadness, we say farewell to the late great Tony Bennett. He exemplified a person who was good as gold, sweet like sugar & a deeply feeling, empathic human being. I wish more had the stuff you were made of Tony. RIP" —Fran Drescher
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David Letterman posted a video of Tony Bennett singing on "The Late Show." "RIP, Tony," he wrote.
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"May you Rest in Peace, Tony Bennett!" –Keith Richards
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"Smile if you had a life like Tony Bennett. He just kept getting better with age. Here he is at one of his last performances at age 94. His popularity was hit a new high while he was in his 60's on MTV Unplugged. Heaven just got the best swooner ever!" —Rob Schneider
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"From growing up as a child of immigrants, to all the contributions he has made to our community, Tony Bennett was a NYer in the truest sense of the word. My deepest condolences from the Cuomo family to Susan and his four beautiful children. Tony will be missed but not forgotten" —Andrew Cuomo
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"Met Tony Bennett several times. Once I was shooting in a park in NY & saw him walking by. Went 2 door of my trailer & called out & he be came over & asked what I was shooting. Came in, had coffee for an hour til I had 2 go 2 set. Such a talent & such a lovely gracious gentleman!" —Morgan Fairchild
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"We've just lost one of the greats of all time.. Tony Bennett.. I'm profoundly sad. God bless you brother and thank you.. for all you have shown us and bestowed upon us.." –Richie Sambora
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"This one shouldn't sting so much because any of us would take 96 years, but man is it hard to imagine a world without the great Tony Bennett." —Josh Gad
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"RIP Tony Bennett. His gift for melody and his depth of grasping a lyric was without compare. To the end the master." –Paul Stanley
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"RIP Tony Bennett. The best of the best. The last of the legends. A man whose heart was as big as his voice. The world's foremost practitioner of the 'Art Of Excellence.' Deepest love and condolences to my friend Danny and the family." —Stevie Van Zandt
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"Ninety-six is a long life but I still thought he'd live forever. #RIPTonyBennett" —Yvette Nicole Brown
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"Sorry to hear Tony Bennett passed. He was a smoothie." —Stephen King
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"Tony Bennett has lived a life we all dream of. He was a beautiful man and a voice for the ages. Rest In Peace My friend." —Chazz Palminteri
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"Thinkin' of Tony Bennett" —Brian Wilson
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"Many people are called legends. Few embodied the word like Tony Bennett. His voice. His presence. HIs style. He was timely and timeless. He had an otherworldly talent of coaxing the sublime out of the music he sang. But he was also a consummate craftsman and tireless worker. He earned his longevity and we all benefited from it. He will be missed." –Dan Rather
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"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
