By Kim McGuire

Tony Bennett, whose professional career spanned nearly 80 years, died on Friday morning in New York City at age 96.

He would have turned 97 on August 3.

Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 but continued to perform — notably with Lady Gaga — until 2021. Bennett’s last public performance was with Lady Gaga at Radio City Music Hall in August 2021 in a show titled “One Last Time.”

Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, Bennett is perhaps best known for his signature 1962 hit “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” He released more than 70 albums in his lifetime, bringing him 19 competitive Grammys.

Bennett received a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2001, and in 2022, he received one for the best traditional pop vocal album for two recordings with Lady Gaga.

Bennett, known as a Democrat was active very in the civil rights struggle in the 1960s. He participated in the Selma-to-Montgomery civil rights march in Alabama in March 1965, and performed at the Stars for Freedom rally on the City of St. Jude campus on the outskirts of Montgomery on March 24, 1965.

FROM TV, RADIO & STAFF REPORTS