Role

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Performer

Birth

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1926 in Queens, NY

 

Anthony Dominick Benedetto, better known as Tony Bennett, is a legendary American singer and painter. He was born on August 3, 1926, in Astoria, Queens, New York City, to John Benedetto and Anna Suraci. His father was a grocer, and his mother was a seamstress. Bennett grew up in a working-class family, and his parents instilled in him a love for music at a young age. Bennett's first exposure to music came from his father, who played the mandolin and sang in a church choir. Bennett's uncle, Dick Suraci, was also a professional singer, and he would often take Bennett to see him perform. Bennett was inspired by the music he heard and began singing at a young age. Bennett attended the High School of Industrial Arts in Manhattan, where he studied painting and music. He continued to sing and perform throughout his high school years, and after graduation, he worked as a singing waiter in several New York City restaurants. In 1949, Bennett was discovered by Bob Hope, who saw him performing at the Greenwich Village nightclub, the Pearl. Hope invited Bennett to join him on his tour, and Bennett's career took off. He signed with Columbia Records in 1950 and released his first hit single, "Because of You," which reached number one on the charts. Bennett's career continued to flourish throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He recorded several hit songs, including "Rags to Riches," "Stranger in Paradise," and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." He also appeared on several television shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1962, Bennett won his first Grammy Award for Best Solo Vocal Performance, Male, for his recording of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." He went on to win several more Grammy Awards throughout his career, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Bennett's career slowed down in the 1970s and 1980s, but he continued to perform and record music. In the 1990s, he experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to his collaboration with MTV Unplugged. His album, MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett, won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1995. Bennett has also had a successful career as a painter. He began painting in the 1970s and has had several exhibitions of his work. His paintings have been featured in galleries and museums around the world. Throughout his career, Bennett has been recognized for his contributions to music and the arts. He has received several honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Rhode Island and a Doctor of Music from the Berklee College of Music. He was also awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship in 2006. Bennett has been married three times and has four children. He continues to perform and record music, and his legacy as one of the greatest singers of all time is secure.

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