A personal anecdote: Back in 2011, my mom — a Tony Bennett superfan — went with my dad to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City to see the legendary singer perform.
They came back and marveled at the fact that, for one song, he put the microphone down and sang. At that point, Bennett was 84. But they said they could hear every single word.
MORE: The best Tony Bennett songs
This was something Bennett did into his 90s. And after he died on Friday morning — we listed Bennett’s 10 best songs here — videos of him without a microphone went viral.
Here’s a roundup of those moments as we remember the incredible singer:
In 2016 he was 90 years old – and Tony Bennett took off his mic, and blew the roof off of the Nashville Symphony. RIP to one of the greatest of all time. pic.twitter.com/qyv2TAdxGr
— Lyn Veazey Plantinga (@tnLyn) July 21, 2023
No Microphone at 90! What a talent and what a voice. Rest in peace Mr Bennett! pic.twitter.com/19jRjTM7bf
— Tony DeSanctis (@tonycornerst) July 21, 2023