Tony Bennett was raised in New York City and began singing at an early age. After fighting in World War II as an infantryman, he signed with Columbia Records and had his first number one song “Because of You” in 1951. He had several other top hits during the early 1950s. In the late 1950s, he released the album “The Beat of My Heart” and “Basie Swings, Bennett Sings”. He recorded his signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1962.
After some struggles, Bennett made a comeback in the late 1980s and 1990s putting out gold record albums and expanding his audience. He remains popular today, and has sold over 50 million records worldwide. He has won fifteen Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards and has been named an NEA Jazz Master and Kennedy Center Honoree. Not only is he a singer, but he is also a painter.
