GLAAD Reflects on Tony Bennett’s Allyship After his Passing

After an 8 decades long career, legendary vocalist Tony Bennett has passed away. The 96 year-old whose music style was constantly evolving, leaves behind an iconic catalogue of songs, including timeless hits like “The Best is Yet to Come” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Over the years, Bennett collaborated with countless LGBTQ artists, even earning a GLAAD Media Award in 2003.

In 2002, Bennett and queer singer songwriter k.d. Lang released a full studio album together called “A Wonderful World.” The Jazz Times described the duo as “the king of laidback cool and the twangy Canadian chanteuse combine for a sublime salute to Louis Armstrong.”

The album included unique takes on classic songs like “Le Vie en Rose” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

In addition to earning the duo the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist, they were also awarded the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

A few years later, in 2006, Bennett recorded a cover of “Rags to Riches” with LGBTQ icon Elton John. The duo performed their spin on the 1953 classic showtune live multiple times over the years.

 

In 2018, Bennett attended and supported Elton John’s AIDS Foundation’s Gala in New York. 

John posted on Instagram to honor his friend’s passing.

 

 

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Bennett also famously worked with LGBTQ icon and advocate Lady Gaga on several projects in recent years.

The pair first teamed up in 2014 to record their first album together, “Cheek to Cheek.” This pop and jazz album was so successful, they earned the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Given their success and undeniable chemistry, it was clear their partnership wouldn’t end here!

Despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016, their friendship only grew stronger. From 2018 – 2020, they worked together on their second and final album “Love for Sale.”

Not only did this album earn the pair multiple Grammy Awards, but it earned Bennett a Guinness World Record as the oldest person to release an album of new material, at 95 years old.

Gaga once told The Guardian, “I tell Tony every day that he saved my life.”

 

 

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A post shared by Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett)

 

Just this past year, Bennett joined a coalition of creatives writing in support of The Equality Act. Hundreds of artists including Bennett, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Taylor Swift, and more signed this letter taking a stand against anti-LGBTQ legislation and requesting federal protections for the community.

Read the full letter here.

Bennett dedicated much of his career to uplifting the voices of other artists. Tony Bennett will go down in history as one of the most impactful voices of the century and will be remembered fondly by his family and millions of fans around the world.