Tony Bennett episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 25, 2026 · 33 MIN

Tony Bennett

from Desert Island Discs · host BBC Radio 4

The son of Italian immigrants, Antony Benedetto started singing competitively with his brother and earned a living as a singing waiter in restaurants in New York while at art school. After singing in American military bands during the Second World War, he returned to New York, where he had his first hit with Because of You in 1951. Since then he has established himself as one of the most popular jazz singers of his generation and has worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Woody Herman among others. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his life and work, and chooses the eight discs he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Don't Blame Me by Art Tatum Book: Crime & Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Luxury: Suit

The son of Italian immigrants, Antony Benedetto started singing competitively with his brother and earned a living as a singing waiter in restaurants in New York while at art school. After singing in American military bands during the Second World War, he returned to New York, where he had his first hit with Because of You in 1951. Since then he has established himself as one of the most popular jazz singers of his generation and has worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Woody Herman among others. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his life and work, and chooses the eight discs he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Don't Blame Me by Art Tatum Book: Crime & Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Luxury: Suit

NOW PLAYING

Tony Bennett

0:00 33:01

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Epic: Silver Wing Realm EPIC is your new HQ for Realm’s exhilarating action and adventure stories, with new episodes dropping every Monday introduced by host Faith McQuinn.Embark on your greatest adventures yet, whether it’s crash landing on a desolate planet with only a cerebrally-embedded AI to guide you, or realizing that your latest game design is the only thing staving off total global annihilation. So unsheath those earbuds, clench that steering wheel, and buckle up because EPIC is about to take off.This month, we are featuring Silver Wing: On a desert planet in the far future, an old dragon hunter embarks on a desperate journey to save her estranged son. For centuries, the dragons have been sleeping. But in their rest, they provide a crucial energy source necessary to keep the planet Toon Flats habitable. Amphet Dahl is a diviner, gifted with the ability to sense the dragons’ dreams and memories and to the disappointment of her son, Afton, she uses this ability to Inside Out THE OUTSIDERS Weekly Podcast from The Outsiders a Youth Group from Freedom Chapel located in Long Island NY Island Girls Rock Podcast Island Girls Rock! The Island Girls Rock podcast brings together Caribbean girls and women of all ages to share stories, creativity and lived experience. Hosted by Chantal Miller, the series explores the richness of Caribbean life through conversations filled with humour, insight and connection. Rooted in creativity, wellness and sustainability, we highlight intergenerational voices from across the region and its Diaspora.This podcast is an Island Girls Rock production, produced by Chantal Miller and BreAnna Holmes, hosted by Chantal Miller, and edited by BreAnna Holmes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Take Note Ted Walker & Adam Webb Take Note is a podcast and a blog about paying attention and keeping a notebook and occasionally Kong: Skull Island.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Desert Island Discs?

This episode is 33 minutes long.

When was this Desert Island Discs episode published?

This episode was published on April 25, 2026.

What is this episode about?

The son of Italian immigrants, Antony Benedetto started singing competitively with his brother and earned a living as a singing waiter in restaurants in New York while at art school. After singing in American military bands during the Second World...

Can I download this Desert Island Discs episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!