Legendary pop and jazz vocalist Tony Bennett in August 2019.Photo:Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty
Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty
On Friday, Bennett’s rep confirmed to PEOPLE that the legendary jazz and pop vocalist haddied at age 96.
Since the news broke, friends and fans of the musician have shared tributes in his honor — remembering both his work on stage, off stage as an activist, and beyond.
Bennett, who had been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2016, celebrated eight decades in the spotlight, 20 Grammy award wins including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, and two Emmys.
While some tributes began to come in through television — whereAl Rokercalled Bennett “an artist, both vocally and visually,” referring to his work as a painter onTODAY— others shared their memories online.
“My most heartfelt condolences go out to Tony Bennett’s family and friends,“Nile Rodgersshared in a Twitter tribute, alongside a photo of the late musician. “They’re also my emotional family and friends.”
On Instagram, Flea shared a heartfelt message and close-up shot of the vocalist. “i love the immortal Tony Bennett, what a dude, what a class act, what a singer. so grateful to have shared a stage with him,” he wrote. “a beautiful human being.”
Stevie Van Zandt also toasted Bennett online,writing on Twitterthat the music great the “best of the best.”
“The last of the legends,” he penned. “A man whose heart was as big as his voice. The world’s foremost practitioner of the ‘Art of Excellence.’ Deepest love and condolences to my friend Danny and the family.”
Josh Gad, on the other hand, reflected on the star’s impact on his own life, writing: “This one shouldn’t sting so much because any of us would take 96 years, but man is it hard to imagine a world without the great Tony Bennett.”
Other entertainers across mediums shared their love for Bennett on Twitter, as well, with actorGeorge Takeicalling him the “the last of his kind” and “a master of the American songbook.”
“He may have left his Heart in San Francisco, but he won all of our hearts, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga,“he shared. “Be at peace, and sing to us now from the stars, Tony.”
Country starBrett Eldredgeuploaded an emotional Instagram reflection on Friday, sharing a shot of himself with Bennett during a backstage run-in and calling the singer “such a gift of a human.”
“He kindly invited me in and we chatted for a brief and beautiful moment. I will never forget what that glimmer in time meant to me and my soul. He was literally 60 years older than me and had seen and accomplished just about as much as any performer could ever dream of and yet, there he was, a fellow singer, waiting for his chance to take the stage once again, just like everyone else, because that was his heart, and damn was he good at it. I have learned so much about singing from his records and his music will live on forever. Thanks for showing us how to live ‘The Good Life’ Tony.”
Civil rights leaderRev. Jesse Jacksonalso took a moment to remember Bennett for his activism over the years.
Among other tributes,Dick Vitalecalled Bennett “one of the great voices of all time” asYvette Nicole Browncelebrated his “long life,” writing that she " thought he’d live forever.”
source: people.com
