Music legend and New York pop and jazz icon Tony Bennett has died at the age of 96. He was so good that fellow music icon Frank Sinatra called him "the best singer in the business."

The crooner's publicist, Sylvia Weiner, confirmed his death though she did not mention any specific cause of death. However, it is known that Tony Bennett was diagnosed and has been battling Alzheimer's disease since 2016, according to the BBC.

His Twitter account also made an official announcement, saying, "Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was 'Because of You,' his first #1 hit." The tweet added, "Tony, because of you we have your songs in our heart forever."

His career spanned eight decades and has sold millions of records. Throughout this, he won 20 Grammy awards, including a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also won two Emmy Awards and was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2005 and a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2006.

His significance to American music was so big that the White House praised Tony Bennett after his death, saying, "Tony Bennett didn't just sing the classics - he himself was an American classic." Former First Lady Hillary Clinton also added that he was a "true talent, a true gentleman, and a true friend."

Tony Bennett and His Life in Music

Tony Bennett started his music career in 1949, soon becoming one of the top musical acts in the next two decades, the 50s and the 60s. However, his music bridged generations, performing duets and collaborations with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Amy Winehouse, and Lady Gaga.

His collaborations with Lady Gaga made him known to younger audiences, appearing with the singer-actress at Radio City Music Hall in August 2021, Together, they performed "Cheek to Cheek" and its sequel, "Love for Sale," according to Variety.

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His real name was Anthony Dominick Benedetto and was born to Italian immigrant parents on Aug. 3, 1926. He was raised in poverty but his singing prowess led him to become one of music's biggest icons. As his career went on, Bennett admitted that his vocal influences included Al Jolson, Bing Crosby and, his friend, Frank Sinatra.

He was also a combat veteran, serving in the US Army in 1944, fighting in World War II at the European theater where he helped liberate a German concentration camp. After the war ended, he became a member of an Armed Forces band and the rest is history.

Tony Bennett's Biggest Hit Songs

Following his death, Billboard released a list of his 15 biggest hits, and at #1, they placed his 1951 classic, "Because of You," which was the song he was singing before he died. At #2 came "Rags to Riches" while "Cold, Cold Heart" took the #3 spot. "Stranger in Paradise" and "There'll Be No Teardrops Here Tonight" rounded out the top 5.

One of his biggest hits, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," only ranked at #15, while "Solitaire" was only ranked at #13. However, he will be remembered for much more than those.

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga - I've Got You Under My Skin (Official Music Video) - Lady Gaga