Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96

[ificandream]

48. Loved his music. Bennett and Sinatra were the best.

True story: Many years ago, my son and I were attending a San Francisco Giants game at Pac Bell Park (the old name) and before the game started we were out in the cable car in center field. All of a sudden, the PA starts playing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." I thought, "That's weird. They don't play that until after the game." I happened to look out at the pitcher's mound and there he was singing a couple of verses of the song. The crowd, of course, cheered wildly. And that was it. He left. It was the only time I ever saw him live. At the time, he was appearing at the Fairmont Hotel. He released a DVD of that appearance and at the very end is video of him at Pac Bell Park that day. (I couldn't see myself in the video.) Anyway, that DVD is wonderful for the Fairmont performance and I recommend it. RIP, Tony, and thanks for the music.