Tony Bennett, king of the American Songbook, dead at 96
Tony Bennett, the internationally renowned singer whose voice epitomized the American Songbook, has died. He was 96. Bennett died Friday morning in New York City, according to a representative for the singer. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016, but his condition didn't stop him from occasionally performing live or releasing new music. He reached the Billboard Top 10 at age 95 in 2021 thanks to his second duet album with Lady Gaga, Love For Sale, and celebrated his retirement the same year with two touching nights at Radio City Music Hall. Bennett hit the scene as a suave crooner in the 1950s and quickly established himself as one of radio's most popular hit-makers. He was a showman, with an intimate nightclub sensibility. He was that persona everywhere. It was like his tailored suits: age-appropriate, yet timelessly cool. He cut his first sides when he was 20 years old, including the song "St. James Infirmary Blues," which was made right after Worl...