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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 27, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Rags to Riches

The song of the day for Saturday, May 28, 2022, is “Rags to Riches.”

About This Song

“Rags to Riches” was written in 1953 by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. When Tony Bennett first heard “Rags to Riches,” he hated the song and was forced by Mitch Miller to record it. With a very nice arrangement by Percy Faith, the recording was huge hit for Bennett and earned him a gold record. Thankfully, Bennett grew to enjoy singing the song. Martin Scorcese used the 1953 recording in the opening of Goodfellas, which helped find a new audience for this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Rags to Riches” on March 17, 1953, with a very fine arrangement by Percy Faith.

“Rags to Riches,” as well as the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 2 is available on Apple Music.

Today we’re honoring Ray Liotta, who passed away on May 26, 2022, and are remembering him from the opening of Goodfellas, where Bennett’s version of “Rags to Riches” was played.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Goodfellas, Jerry Ross, Percy Faith, Ray Liotta, Richard Adler, Tony Bennett

August 30, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Rags to Riches

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 31, 2021, is “Rags to Riches.”

About This Song

“Rags to Riches” was written in 1953 by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. When Tony Bennett first heard “Rags to Riches,” he hated the song and was forced by Mitch Miller to record it. With a very nice arrangement by Percy Faith, the recording was a huge hit for Bennett and earned him a gold record. Thankfully, Bennett grew to enjoy singing the song. Martin Scorcese used the 1953 recording in the opening of Goodfellas, which helped find a new audience for this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Rags to Riches” at his 1962 concert in Washington, DC. Bennett’s set, are more, were captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

Rags To Riches - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to Rags To Riches - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2013.

“Rags to Riches,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, Jerry Ross, Percy Faith, Richard Adler, Tony Bennett

June 25, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Rags To Riches

The song of the day for Saturday, June 26, 2021, is “Rags To Riches.”

About This Song

“Rags To Riches” was written in 1953 by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. When Tony Bennett first heard “Rags to Riches,” he hated the song and was forced by Mitch Miller to record it. With a very nice arrangement by Percy Faith, the recording was a huge hit for Bennett and earned him a gold record. Thankfully, Bennett grew to enjoy singing the song. Martin Scorcese used the 1953 recording in the opening of Goodfellas, which helped find a new audience for this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sand “Rags To Riches” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, recorded and released on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

Blue Velvet - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Blue Velvet - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Rags To Riches,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jerry Ross, Richard Adler, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall

August 14, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Rags to Riches

The song of the day for Saturday, August 15, 2020, is “Rags to Riches.”

About This Song

“Rags to Riches” was written in 1953 by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. When Tony Bennett first heard “Rags to Riches,” he hated the song and was forced by Mitch Miller to record it. With a very nice arrangement by Percy Faith, the recording was a huge hit for Bennett and earned him a gold record. Thankfully, Bennett grew to enjoy singing the song. Martin Scorcese used the 1953 recording in the opening of Goodfellas, which helped find a new audience for this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Rags to Riches” at his 1994 live performance on MTV Unplugged.

“Rags to Riches,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day, Tony Live! Tagged With: Jerry Ross, MTV Unplugged, Richard Adler, Tony Bennett

February 23, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Rags to Riches

The song of the day for Sunday, February 23, 2020, is “Rags to Riches.”

About This Song

“Rags to Riches” was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross in 1953. When Tony Bennett first heard “Rags to Riches,” he hated the song and was forced by Mitch Miller to record it. With a very nice arrangement by Percy Faith, the recording was a big hit for Bennett and earned him a gold record. Thankfully, Bennett grew to enjoy singing the song. Martin Scorcese used the 1953 recording in the opening of Goodfellas, which helped find a new audience for this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Rags to Riches” at the Washington DC concert in 1962, as captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

“Rags to Riches,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Tony Live! Tagged With: Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, Jerry Ross, Mitch Miller, Percy Faith, Richard Adler, Tony Bennett, Tony Live!

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