Tony Bennett, Self-Healing Metal, and Europe's Beach Cities

Tony Bennett Dies

Grammy Award-winning singer Tony Bennett—whose career spanned eight decades—died Friday at 96, two weeks short of his birthday. The cause of death was not reported, though he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. 

Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in 1926 in Queens, New York, Bennett began singing at an early age after his mother encouraged him and his siblings to do so at home. In 1944, he was drafted into the US Army, fighting in World War II. He was discharged in 1946 and became a recording artist in 1949.  

Bennett, who was influenced by icons like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Billie Holiday, garnered 41 Grammy nominations over his career and won 19 awards. He collaborated with a range of stars, including Barbra Streisand, John Legend, Paul McCartney, and Carrie Underwood. His final public performance was in August 2021 for two sold-out concerts at Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga. Bennett was also inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame and received the United Nations "Citizen of the World" award.

See Bennett's hit songs here and photos of his life here.

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