Tony Bennett. Photo by Virginia Sherwood/NBCUniversal.

Singer Tony Bennett died Friday at the age of 96. The legendary crooner’s 85-year career garnered worldwide acclaim and 18 Grammy awards.

Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on Aug. 3, 1926 in Queens, New York, Bennett has been a household name for more than 40 years, known for his class and musical sophistication, embodying the elegance of Frank Sinatra without the mob connections. Bennett’s signature song, his 1962 ode to the Bay, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” has come to epitomize both the city and the singer with its simple sincerity.

At the age of just 10, Bennett sang at the ceremonial opening of the Triborough Bridge, flanked by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. Bennett fought in the later days of World War II’s battle for Europe as a U.S. Army Infantry man. Bennett discussed his service, explaining that the horrors gave him an appreciation for the preciousness of life.

A bronze statue of Tony Bennett is unveiled on his birthday in front of the Fairmount Hotel in San Francisco on Aug. 19, 2016. Photo By Liz Hafalia/Getty Images.

“I really dislike war. See, to me, life is a gift, and you should enjoy it,” he said. “It’s a great gift. To be alive is the best thing to ever happen.”

Returning from war, Bennett worked with a vocal coach and cut his first single for independent label Leslie Records in 1949 as Joe Bari. Eventually, Bennett was hired as an opening act and struck up a friendship with comedian Bob Hope, who took Bennett under his wing. The following year, he signed to Columbia Records and began a long career with the label, releasing a number of successful and influential songs and albums, including “Rags to Riches,” used for the opening credits of Scorsese’s 1990 mob movie classic, “Goodfellas,” as well as the 1957 jazz album The Beat of My Heart, featuring Art Blakey on drums. Bennett also recorded two collaborations in 1959 with the Count Basie Orchestra, Strike Up the Band and In Person.

Bennett’s career waned in the ’70s, and the singer struggled with cocaine addiction. Undaunted, Tony Bennett started his own label, Improv, and released a pair of well-received albums with pianist Bill Evans. He also hired his son Danny, who became his manager and began marketing Bennett to younger audiences. In the ’90s, Bennett made appearances on “The David Letterman Show” (a daytime show) and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and was even animated into an episode of “The Simpsons.”

Bennett’s appearance on MTV’s “Unplugged” in 1994 spawned a platinum album and Grammy award for Album of the Year. In 2006, he released Duets, an album of collaborations with contemporary vocalists like Paul McCartney, Barbara Streisand, Elton John and Billy Joel. The album sold more than 200,000 copies in its first week. Duets II was released in conjunction with Bennett’s 85th birthday in 2011 and featured collaborations with Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and John Mayer. The album made Tony Bennett the oldest living musician to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 but continued to record and perform until the pandemic hit in 2020. His final album was 2021’s Love for Sale, with Lady Gaga.

He died in his home in New York.

At the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, where Bennett debuted “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1961, a memorial grew around his statue. The hotel has a suite named for him, and part of Mason Street is named Tony Bennett Way.

Flags at City Hall were lowered to half-staff to honor Bennett, and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” played over P.A. systems across the city.

“Tony Bennett provided us with a song, a spirit, and a magic that is intertwined with the history of San Francisco and who we are,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a written statement. “Tony Bennett embodied a love for this city shared by all San Franciscans.”

Bennett is survived by his wife, Susan Benedetto, his two sons, including Dae Bennett, daughters Johanna Bennett and Antonia Bennett and nine grandchildren.

Tony was one of the most splendid people who ever lived. Kind, loving, talented and generous, he never let us down.                                                          

Sending my love to Susan, Danny and their family and friends. Tony was a true champion.💙#TonyBennett pic.twitter.com/aLWnj0VOlF

— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) July 21, 2023

Rest in peace, Tony Bennett 🤍🕊️What a joy and honor to work alongside you – a true talent and friend. #tonybennett #TonyBennettRIP pic.twitter.com/9o8odc84jk

— Roberta Flack (@Roberta_Flack) July 21, 2023

A duet with an American Classic, I Wanna Be Around… Rest easy Tony Bennett. pic.twitter.com/5IGp3hpi43

— U2 (@U2) July 21, 2023

Follow writer David Gill at Twitter.com/saxum_paternus.