The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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The Judy Garland Show with Guests Tony Bennett and Dick Shawn

As you might imagine from the playlist I posted yesterday, I’m still reveling in all things Judy Garland, which caused me to poke around on YouTube to see what I might enjoy viewing.

I came across this episode of The Judy Garland Show, with guests Tony Bennett and Dick Shawn. It aired on December 15, 1963.

I’ve shared before Tony and Judy singing “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” before, but there’s a lot more of Tony, including two songs with the Ralph Sharon Trio and the whole production number with Tony and Judy leading up to “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

I just finished watching the entire video and it’s a real joy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Saturday, December 29, 2018, is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song, but it actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience. After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, I Left My Heart in San Francisco was a huge hit at the performance and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1962 and features an arrangement by Marty Manning.

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as the album of the same name, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we have an extended segment from a Tony Bennett appearance on The Judy Garland Show in 1963. A number of songs are featured, including today’s song. This is one of my favorite Tony Bennett videos.

Tony Bennett & Judy Garland – Medley (The Judy Garland Show, 1963).

5th episode of “The Judy Garland Show”, aired on CBS. Filmed on July 30, 1963. – Songs: Night Train/Lullaby Of Broadway (Tony). Carolina In The Morning (Judy). Kansas City (Tony). When The Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves For Alabam (Judy). I Left My Heart In San Francisco (Tony & Judy).

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Remembering Judy Garland

Judy Garland, a great friend of Tony Bennett, was born on June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She died in London on June 22, 1969–she was only 47 years old.

Tony Bennett tells this story about Judy in his autobiography The Good Life:

The last time I saw her was in London in April 1969, when I was there doing a TV special with Count Basie. After the show she came backstage to see me, and the last thing she said to me was, “You’re pretty good!” She died two months later. I’ve never gotten over it. She was so kind, so talented, such as dear friend. When I look back, it’s hard to believe that most of the time she was just trying to hold on for dear life.

In tribute to Judy Garland, I leave you with this video from the fifth episode of her television show, with Tony Bennett as the guest star. The year is 1963. It’s one of my favorites; I can actually remember watching this episode with my Mom.