191 pages, 8 plates, cloth, v.g. (From the Cambridge Dictionary of Biography): Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Queens, New York. The winner of four Grammy awards, this popular crooner earned money as a singing waiter before joining the army and honing his singing skill in military bands. After he was discharged, he made an appearance on The Arthur Godfrey Talent Show and had several small-time nightclub gigs. In 1950, Bennett was discovered by Pearl Bailey and Bob Hope and was signed to an exclusive recording contract with Columbia. Just a year later, "Because of You," which ruled the charts for thirty-one weeks, became the biggest hit of 1951. "Cold, Cold Heart" also became a huge success and paved the way for the 24 top-40 hits Bennett had amassed by 1964. Unfortunately for Bennett, his popularity declined through the 1960s and in 1972, under pressure from Columbia to record pop albums, he left his old label to record and perform the songs of his choice. Although Bennett made several critically-acclaimed albums over the next few years, it took a new manager, his son Danny, to take over his career before he again found commercial success. Bennett has enjoyed an enormous comeback in the 1990s, appealing to both baby boomers and the MTV generation, that culminated in his March 1995 Grammy win for his MTV Unplugged television special.

TONY BENNETT ENTERTAINERS SINGERS POPULAR MUSIC JAZZ VOCALISTS