Tony Bennett 1926-2023

We lost Tony Bennett today and probably the end of an era of singers of his caliber. He was ninety-six years old, thirteen days short of his next birthday. I assume he was relieved to go because he had Alzheimer’s and that illness is no joke. Imagine not being able to remember things or express yourself. It was said that even in his later years with this disease he’d perform a show and get off stage and forget what just happened.

He won twenty Grammy awards and two Emmys among his accomplishments. I have his CD somewhere. I love his collaborations with Amy Winehouse and Lady GaGa. I’ve always loved his straightforward delivery of songs with an undercurrent of their true meaning infused in the lyrics.

I’ve been playing him all day while in my car, at the gym on my cell, and at home. His music and voice are playing in the background as I write. It is relaxing and inspiring me. RIP Tony.