Tony Bennett

Photo of Tony Bennett

Biography

A towering figure in the history of popular singers, Tony Bennett's muscular, burnished voice underscored the romance, the longing and the joy in the Great American songbook, as well as his own hits, which included "Because of You" and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco. " A pop crooner in his early years, Bennett's devotion to jazz and standards spurred him to move away from the mainstream and dig deeply into the works of Irving Berlin, Cole …
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Job Title

Actor, Writer, Music

Born

Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926 in Queens, New York, USA

Career Milestones

2011

Released Duets II, a follow-up album to "Duets: An American Classic that featured collaborations with Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, and Aretha Franklin

2010

Joined various artists for "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti," a charity single in aid of the 2010 Haiti earthquake

2008

Released the album A Swingin' Christmas with The Count Basie Big Band

2008

Performed with Billy Joel at the final concerts given at Shea Stadium

2006

Headlined the Rob Marshall-directed television special "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" on NBC

2006

Released the album Duets: An American Classic, featuring collaborations with Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, and Celine Dion

2003

Made a cameo as himself in the comedy feature "Bruce Almighty"

2002

Headlined the PBS special concert "Tony Bennett's Wonderful World: Live From San Francisco"

1999

Had cameo appearance as himself in "Analyze This"

1998

Published The Good Life: The Autobiography of Tony Bennett

1996

Starred in the first of A&E Network's popular "Live By Request" series

1994

Made an appearance on "MTV Unplugged"

1993

Played a series of benefit concerts organized by alternative rock radio stations around the country

1990

Released the studio album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist

Began making appearances on shows with a younger audience such as "Late Night with David Letterman" (CBS) and "The Simpsons" (Fox)

1986

Re-signed with Columbia Records and returned to recording music with the album The Art of Excellence

Began collaborating with his son Danny Bennett, who took over as his manager

Took a ten year hiatus from recording

1977

Closed his record company, Improv

Collaborated with jazz pianist Bill Evans for the albums The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album (1975) and Together Again (1976)

1970

Ended his 20 year relationship with Columbia Records and formed his own label, Improv

1966

Made his film debut in the poorly received "The Oscar"

1962

Released his most famous song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which earned him his first Grammy Award

1962

Performed on the debut episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (NBC)

1962

Staged a highly-promoted concert performance at Carnegie Hall with musicians Al Cohn, Kenny Burrell, and Candido

1956

Hosted the NBC Saturday night television variety program called "The Tony Bennett Show" as a summer replacement for "The Perry Como Show"

1955

Released first long-playing album, Cloud 7

1953

Recorded "Stranger in Paradise" for the Broadway musical "Kismet"

1951

Charted at No. 1 with the song "Because of You"

1950

Signed with Columbia Records and started working with record producer Mitch Miller

Changed name to Tony Bennett as suggested by Bob Hope

1949

Began touring with Bob Hope after being introduced by Pearl Bailey

Discovered by Pearl Bailey in Greenwich Village

Studied singing and acting at the American Theatre Wing

Served in the Army infantry during World War II

Awards

2007

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance In a Variety or Music Program in Tony Bennett: An American Classic

2006

Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

2006

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

2005

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

2003

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

2002

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

1999

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance

1997

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance

1996

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance

1996

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance For a Variety or Music Program in Tony Bennett Live By Request: A Valentine's Special

1994

Grammy Award for Album Of The Year

1994

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance

1993

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance

1992

Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance

1962

Grammy Award for Best Solo Vocal Performance, Male

1962

Grammy Award for Record Of The Year