Celebrating Tony Bennett on what would have been his 100th birthday

NPR | By Kevin Whitehead

Published July 31, 2026 at 5:00 AM EDT

Bennett, who died in 2023, was known for a string of hits, including "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Kevin Whitehead offers an appreciation and remembers some of Bennett's lesser-known songs.

Kevin Whitehead

Kevin Whitehead is the jazz critic for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Currently he reviews for The Audio Beat and Point of Departure.

See stories by Kevin Whitehead

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Google pauses AI satellite images, after fears of deepfakes in the sky

Geoff Brumfiel

Journalists, human rights advocates and open source analysts recoiled in horror at the initial decision: "The opportunities for abuse and disinfo are literally boundless," said one.
Lexington/Richmond

Lexington residents pack public hearing on data centers. What are their concerns?

Shepherd Snyder

The urban county planning commission faced a Thursday deadline to deliver zoning regulation recommendations to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council.
NPR News

Brazil denies visas to U.S. officials ahead of election

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is accusing the U.S. of trying to interfere in his country’s elections — a claim Washington strongly denies.
NPR News

Keeping cool without AC: Our readers share their tips

Laurel Dalrymple

We asked our readers to tell us how they've fended off heat without the refrigerant blasts of an air conditioner. Here's what they shared.
The Commonwealth

Kentucky utilities sign Trump’s data center pledge. Critics say it won't shield customers

Curtis Tate

Several Kentucky utilities have signed on to the Trump administration's Ratepayer Protection Pledge.