Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926 in Queens, New York; the singing legend has lived a true rags-to-riches life story. His father, a grocer and in poor health, died when Tony was just ten years old. The young Benedetto was musically inclined at a very early age. His musical heroes included Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Al Jolson and Louis Armstrong. With the help of a Vaudeville connected uncle, Tony was performing the songs of his idols publicly by the age of ten.
Bennett fought in the final years of WWII where he narrowly escaped death on several occasions. Singing with the military band under the stage name Joe Bari, the young soldier played with many names that would go on to have big musical careers.
After leaving the army, he studied the 'bel canto' singing discipline at the American Theatre Wing, which was paid for by the GI Bill more info. This operatic discipline style of singing is believed to be what has kept his voice strong throughout his long singing career.
Still using the stage name of Bari, he recorded and released several songs with Leslie Records in 1949. The records did not sell. That same year he was noticed by singer Pearl Bailey and was asked to perform with her at Greenwich Village.
As fate has it, Bob Hope was in the audience and immediately recognized Tony's talent. Hope asked the young singer to come on the road with him but suggested a name change. Tony recalls, "...he asked me what my real name was, I told him, 'My name is Anthony Dominick Benedetto,' and he said, 'We'll call you Tony Bennett.' And that's how it happened."
By 1950 Bennett cut a demo of Boulevard of Broken Dreams and signed on with Columbia Records. He began his career a crooner, singing the pop hits of many of his idols. In 1951 Bennett hit #1 with Because of You, which held that place for 10 weeks and sold over a million copies. The song was produced by Mitch Miller and arranged by Percy Faith. This partnership proved golden for Bennett and the three worked together on Bennett's early hits.
In 1953, the young crooner hit it big again with Rags to Riches, which ironically is an autobiographical song for Bennett. The arrangement on this hit varied from his earlier releases in that it was a more up-tempo big band number with a brassy sound.
By the late 1950's rock and roll was hot off the presses and many pop/crooner artist were fading from the music scene. Bennett managed to remain popular during this time.
As many pop artist of that time experienced however, Bennett eventually suffered some decline and personal life challenges as well.
In 1962, Bennett's signature song, I Left My Heart in San Francisco was released. The song had only hit #19 on the Billboard charts but was popular on various other music charts and gave him more widespread exposure. The album of the same name and the single both achieved gold status and would become a Great American Songbook standard. The song went on to win Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Male Solo Performance.
Eventually starting his own record company (Improv) after leaving Columbia Records, he released two jazz albums and the hit single What is This Thing Called Love. The company eventually failed and Bennett moved to England for a short time.
Realizing that he was a singer not a businessman, he enlisted the talents of his son Danny to be his manager. That was the magical combination that catapulted Tony Bennett back to the mainstream with more success than ever before. By 1986, Bennett was re-signed to Columbia Records and released the well-received album, The Art of Excellence.
Not changing anything about his style, Bennett appealed to a younger audience. He says he thinks, "One of the reasons I'm popular again is because I'm wearing a tie. You have to be different." By not changing anything actually made him different with the younger generation.
Bennett's artistry is not limited to his vocal chords. He is an accomplished painter and his paintings are in high demand all over the world. Bennett has an extensive touring schedule but says he finds time to paint everyday. He's on top of the world and making the most of his twilight years. Timeless talent that supersedes age and change, Tony Bennett is living his Rags-to-Riches life to the fullest.
Darrell Berg-Smith, CEO of The Asian Regional Impact Initiative, is a professional speaker, author, consultant and entrepreneur who specializes in advising on Corporate Social Responsibility programs and cause marketing resources to NGO's and companies worldwide.
Darrell is also the founder of the Doctors For Cambodia Initiative and The Asian Regional Cancer Initiative... Non Profit Organisation working throughout South East Asia. They are always looking for new talented artists to help advance their career through cause marketing arrangements with these Initiatives.
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