Celebs & Friends Remember Legendary Singer Tony Bennett, Dead at 96

Newscastor Anderson Cooper paid tribute to the late singer on television.

"I'll never forget the last performance that I had the privilege of being at backstage at Radio City Music Hall just a short time before he went on," on CNN. "He was in the back and he turned to Susan and he didn't know exactly where he was. And he said, 'What are we doing?' And she, 'You're performing tonight in like 10 minutes.' And he said, 'Great.' And she said, 'Let's go over the set.' And he said, 'Great.'"

"Watching Lady Gaga, you could see the music just flowing into him," he continued. "He started tapping his feet and clicking his fingers together. He went out. He killed it out there. The crowd just erupted. His first words were, ‘Wow!' And they just loved it. He did his whole set."

He also recalled how the first two nights of performances, Gaga would introduce Bennett onstage by saying, "Wow! Look who's here!"

"But on that final night, when she came out and he turned and he saw her coming out, he said, ‘Wow! Lady Gaga!' And she burst into tears," Cooper said. "I mean, everybody just burst into tears. It was just an extraordinary night. I mean, what a life we have been able to witness and benefit from over all these decades."

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A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn)

"So sad to hear of Tony’s passing," Elton John wrote on Instagram. "Without doubt the classiest singer, man, and performer you will ever see. He’s irreplaceable. I loved and adored him. Condolences to Susan, Danny and the family."

The great Tony Bennett has passed away at the age of 96. 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.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 21, 2023

Star Trek and Alliegance star George Takei paid tribute to Bennett on his Twitter. "The great Tony Bennett has passed away at the age of 96. He was the last of his kind, a master of the American songbook," he Tweeted. "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."

My most heartfelt condolences go out to Tony Bennett’s family and friends. They’re also my emotional family and friends pic.twitter.com/eohrA6fpjI

— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) July 21, 2023

Another legendary musician, super producer Nile Rodgers of Chic, paid tribute to Bennett on Twitter, saying, "My most heartfelt condolences go out to Tony Bennett’s family and friends. They’re also my emotional family and friends."

This one shouldn’t sting so much because any of us would take 96 years, but man is it hard to imagine a world without the great Tony Bennett. 💔 https://t.co/IFCUhxP868

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 21, 2023

Book of Mormon, Frozen, and Beautify and the Beast star Josh Gad paid tribute on Twitter as well. "This one shouldn’t sting so much because any of us would take 96 years, but man is it hard to imagine a world without the great Tony Bennett," he wrote.

The Singer’s Singer, Tony Bennett, has died. I’m thankful I was alive during his musical reign, to hear and treasure the music he made and the man himself. He will be sorely missed.

— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) July 21, 2023

Bette Midler, one of the few performers who can claim to be a peer of Bennett's, remembered him on Twitter. "The Singer’s Singer, Tony Bennett, has died. I’m thankful I was alive during his musical reign, to hear and treasure the music he made and the man himself. He will be sorely missed," she wrote.