Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens in 1926, Tony studied painting and music in high school. He spent his time listening to Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden and Joe Venuti.
Tony Bennett Served in the Army
In 1944 he was drafted into the United States Army towards the end of World War II. The experience was intense, violent and would later influence his decision to become a pacifist:
“he was assigned as a replacement infantryman to the 255th Infantry Regiment of the 63rd Infantry Division, a unit filling in for the heavy losses suffered in the Battle of the Bulge. He moved across France, and later, into Germany.
As March 1945 began, he joined the front line and what he would later describe as a “front-row seat in hell.”Once discharged and back in New York, Bennett’s career began to grow. Throughout his years of success, he has continued to sketch or paint every day, typically under the name Anthony Benedetto. He also is the founder of the Frank Sinatra school for the arts in New York City.
Today, Bennett stays active– performing and doing appearances around the world.
