Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926 in Astoria, Queens, New York City. Growing up in New York City he began singing at an early age, at 10 at the ribbon cutting of the Triborough Bridge and by thirteen singing for money in various restaurants.

Developing his technique after World War II, in 1949,Pearl Bailey recognized his talent and asked him to open for her in Greenwich Village, in which Bob Hope was in attendance. The performance ultimately had Hope taking Benedetto on the road and shortening his name to…