Tony Bennett dead at 96: Keith Richards, Ozzy Osbourne and more react
Legendary singer Tony Bennett died Friday at his New York home at the age of 96, his publicist, Sylvia Weiner, confirmed to The Post.
Tributes have poured in from celebrities and fans alike to commemorate the loss of the “Fly Me to the Moon” crooner.
Alongside a photo of the two from 2015, Rolling Stones member Keith Richards wrote on Twitter: “May you Rest in Peace, Tony Bennett!”
“Very sad to hear about Tony Bennett’s passing. Rest in Peace,” Ozzy Osbourne tweeted.
“Rest in Peace Tony Bennett,” shared singer Mariah Carey, with whom he collaborated on “When Do The Bells Ring For Me” for his 2011 “Duets II” album. “It was such an honor to work with one of the world’s most beloved, respected and legendary singers of the past century. We will miss you.”
A reflective Alec Baldwin posted a touching video tribute to him on Instagram in which he called him “a sweet guy” and “a lovely guy.”
“Everybody loved Tony. Everybody loved Tony. He was a helluva guy,” Baldwin said. “His music meant so much to me,” adding that his music got him through times when Baldwin was feeling “really down.”
“You look at someone like him, it’s hard to say this but it’s true: There will never be someone like him again,” Baldwin said while sharing an anecdote about working with him on “Saturday Night Live” — which he called “truly one of the greatest moments of my life.”
“The Nanny” alum and SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher added: “[It is] with great sadness we say farewell to the late great Tony Bennett. He exemplified a person who was good as gold, sweet like sugar & a deeply feeling, empathic human being. I wish more had the stuff you were made of Tony. RIP.”
“Star Trek” actor George Takei also shared a touching tribute to the “great” singer, tweeting in part, “He was the last of his kind, a master of the American songbook. He may have left his Heart in San Francisco, but he won all of our hearts, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Be at peace, and sing to us now from the stars, Tony.”
“A legend indeed. RIP, Tony Bennett. And thank you.🙏❤️,” “Velma” and “Hacks” actress Ming-Na Wen said.
“Sesame Street” also paid tribute to Bennett, as he appeared on the iconic children’s program in 1988.
“Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of Tony Bennett, who brought joy and music to millions of people around the world,” they stated.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration even sent out-of-this-world condolences, posting on Twitter: “Tony Bennett, legend and music icon, reminds us there’s no place in space like our own planet. Rest in peace.”
Journalist Dan Rather saluted the beloved artist: “Many people are called legends. Few embodied the word like Tony Bennett. His voice. His presence. HIs style. He was timely and timeless.”
Political strategist Joey Mannarino wrote: Rest in Peace to the great Tony Bennett. He lived a beautiful life. 96 years old is a great legacy.”
Podcaster Rex Chapman added: “Tony Bennett has passed away at the age of 96. An incredible life. Rest in peace…”
“We lost a music legend today. Rest in peace Tony Bennett,” famed New York radio station Z100 wrote.
One fan tweeted: “Very sorry to hear of the death of the great Tony Bennett who has passed away aged 96, this really is the end of an era, this his him during lockdown in 2020 singing Smile……..RIP Tony.”
“Deeply saddened by the passing of a true legend, Tony Bennett, at age 96. His timeless voice and incredible talent have left an indelible mark on the music world. Rest in peace, and thank you for the beautiful memories,” another fan sweetly wrote.
Bennett revealed in February 2021 that he was suffering from a progressive, degenerative brain disease.
“Life is a gift, even with Alzheimer’s,” he tweeted at the time.
Bennett — a 20-time Grammy winner who collaborated with the likes of Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and more — made history as one of the only artists to chart new albums each decade from the 1950s up to the present.