Difference between revisions of "Tony Bennett"
(New page: Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born on August 23, 1926, in New York City. Influenced by Bing Crosby as a kid, Tony Bennett was singing before his teen years. He dropped out of high school ...) |
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| − | Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born on August 23, 1926, in New York City. | + | '''Anthony Dominick Benedetto''' ("Tony Bennett") was born on August 23, 1926, in [[New York City]]. |
| − | Influenced by Bing Crosby as a kid, Tony Bennett was singing before his teen years. | + | Influenced by [[Bing Crosby]] as a kid, Tony Bennett was singing before his teen years. |
He dropped out of high school at age 16 to support his family | He dropped out of high school at age 16 to support his family | ||
| − | as a singing waiter in several Queens Italian restaurants. | + | as a singing waiter in several [[Queens]] Italian restaurants. |
After having served in the army during World War II | After having served in the army during World War II | ||
| − | he was discovered by Pearl Bailey who asked him to open for her | + | he was discovered by [[Pearl Bailey]] who asked him to open for her |
| − | in Greenwich Village where Bob Hope was in attendance | + | in [[Greenwich Village]] where [[Bob Hope]] was in attendance |
and asked Tony to tour with him. It was Bob Hope | and asked Tony to tour with him. It was Bob Hope | ||
who suggested the name Tony Bennett. | who suggested the name Tony Bennett. | ||
| − | In 1950 Bennett was signed to a recording contract by Columbia records | + | In 1950 Bennett was signed to a recording contract by [[Columbia records]] |
A&R head, Mitch Miller. A year later Tony Bennett’s first million seller, | A&R head, Mitch Miller. A year later Tony Bennett’s first million seller, | ||
| − | “Because of You” was #1 on the Hit Parade. | + | “Because of You” was #1 on the Hit Parade. Other memorable recordings included: |
| − | + | * ''Cold, Cold Heart'' | |
| − | + | * ''Blue Velvet'' | |
| − | + | * ''Rags to Riches'' | |
| − | + | * ''Stranger in Paradise'' | |
| + | * ''Middle of an Island'' | ||
| + | * ''Just in Time'' | ||
| + | * ''Firefly'' | ||
| + | * ''I Wanna Be Around'' | ||
| + | * ''The Good Life'' | ||
| + | * ''Who Can I Turn To'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | As well as what would become his signature song, | ||
| + | |||
| + | * ''I Left My Heart in San Francisco'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | His work kept Tony Bennett on the Hit Parade in the 50’s and 60’s as | ||
he concentrated on his night club act, staged a very successful | he concentrated on his night club act, staged a very successful | ||
Carnegie hall concert and sold more than 50 million records. | Carnegie hall concert and sold more than 50 million records. | ||
| − | In more recent years Tony’s albums won | + | In more recent years Tony’s albums won [[Grammy]]’s for |
| − | + | ''Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.'' His ''Steppin’ Out With My Baby'' | |
| − | video was an MTV favorite that bridged the generation gap | + | video was an [[MTV]] favorite that bridged the generation gap |
and introduced Tony Bennett to a new youthful audience. | and introduced Tony Bennett to a new youthful audience. | ||
| − | He also starred in a | + | He also starred in a ''Life By Request'' series for the A&E Network |
| − | that earned him an Emmy. With a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame | + | that earned him an [[Emmy]]. With a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] |
for his contribution to the recording industry, | for his contribution to the recording industry, | ||
Tony also was given a lifetime achievement award from | Tony also was given a lifetime achievement award from | ||
the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. | the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. | ||
| − | Tony Bennett was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2007. | + | Tony Bennett was inducted into the ''Hit Parade Hall of Fame'' in 2007. |
| + | |||
| + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Bennett, Tony}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Singers]] | ||
Revision as of 02:42, December 27, 2007
Anthony Dominick Benedetto ("Tony Bennett") was born on August 23, 1926, in New York City. Influenced by Bing Crosby as a kid, Tony Bennett was singing before his teen years. He dropped out of high school at age 16 to support his family as a singing waiter in several Queens Italian restaurants.
After having served in the army during World War II he was discovered by Pearl Bailey who asked him to open for her in Greenwich Village where Bob Hope was in attendance and asked Tony to tour with him. It was Bob Hope who suggested the name Tony Bennett.
In 1950 Bennett was signed to a recording contract by Columbia records A&R head, Mitch Miller. A year later Tony Bennett’s first million seller, “Because of You” was #1 on the Hit Parade. Other memorable recordings included:
- Cold, Cold Heart
- Blue Velvet
- Rags to Riches
- Stranger in Paradise
- Middle of an Island
- Just in Time
- Firefly
- I Wanna Be Around
- The Good Life
- Who Can I Turn To
As well as what would become his signature song,
- I Left My Heart in San Francisco
His work kept Tony Bennett on the Hit Parade in the 50’s and 60’s as he concentrated on his night club act, staged a very successful Carnegie hall concert and sold more than 50 million records.
In more recent years Tony’s albums won Grammy’s for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. His Steppin’ Out With My Baby video was an MTV favorite that bridged the generation gap and introduced Tony Bennett to a new youthful audience. He also starred in a Life By Request series for the A&E Network that earned him an Emmy. With a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the recording industry, Tony also was given a lifetime achievement award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Tony Bennett was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2007.