Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw & Others Mourn Loss Of Legendary Tony Bennett
By Kelly Fisher
July 21, 2023
Some of country music’s biggest stars posted heartfelt tributes to Tony Bennett as they joined the world in mourning the loss of the legendary artist on Friday (July 21). Bennett’s publicist, Sylvia Weiner, confirmed that the beloved vocalist died in his hometown of New York. He was 96. Bennett’s official cause of death was not immediately disclosed on Friday, though he’d had a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” legend was set to turn 97 on August 3.
Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Kelsea Ballerini and others reflected on the memories they shared with Bennett personally and through his timeless music. Ballerini shared in a written reflection on her Instagram story, set to Bennett’s “The Way You Look Tonight,” that “my dad played Tony Bennett around the house my whole childhood. His music has always made me feel at home and safe. What a gift he brought to the world and what a classic, beautiful legacy he leaves forever.”
Keith Urban also shared a tribute to Bennett on his Instagram story, writing: “What a legacy of not only superb timeless music, but a class act study in cool, grace, and elegance.”
Others posted photos of times they’d met or worked with Bennett over the years. Brett Eldredge penned a heartfelt memory honoring the late legend: “Tony Bennett was such a gift of a human and crooner to this world…not long ago on a beautiful night in Manhattan, he and I were both taping the Rockefeller tree lighting and our dressing rooms were right next to each other. As I walked by to go to my room, there he was, eating a granola bar and smiling. 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.”
See some of the tributes to Bennett below.