Tony Bennett, the iconic ruler of the American Songbook, has passed away at the age of 96.

The internationally renowned singer, whose voice epitomized the essence of the American Songbook, breathed his last on Friday morning in New York City, as confirmed by his representative. Tho

ugh diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, Bennett’s indomitable spirit led him to continue occasional live performances and release new music.

Remarkably, at the age of 94 in 2021, he achieved a Top 10 position on the Billboard charts with his second duet album alongside Lady Gaga, titled “Love For Sale.”

The same year, he bid farewell to his illustrious career with two poignant nights at the revered Radio City Music Hall.

Bennett first dazzled the scene as a sophisticated crooner during the 1950s and swiftly earned a place as one of the era’s most beloved radio artists.

A consummate showman, he exuded an intimate nightclub charm that seemed to be an inseparable part of his identity. Just like his perfectly tailored suits, he carried an age-appropriate yet timeless coolness in everything he did.

At the tender age of 20, he recorded his first tracks, which included the poignant song “St. James Infirmary Blues,” produced alongside a U.S. Army band in post-World War II Germany. Tony Bennett’s rich legacy in the world of music will forever be cherished and remembered.