Tony Bennett Day Declared in San Francisco on Valentine's Day in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Recording and Release of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tony Bennett is at the heart of Valentine's Day celebrations in San Francisco where it will be declared "TONY BENNETT DAY" by the city's Mayor, Edward M. Lee. The ceremony, to be held at the Rotunda at City Hall at noon today, will tribute Bennett on the 50th anniversary of the recording and release of the singer's signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Another classic Bennett song, "Cold, Cold, Heart," which was his first #1 hit when released in 1950, will be featured in a Valentine's Day Google doodle that will be live on the Google.com homepage today."

Mayor Lee and others including Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, former Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., and San Francisco Chief of Protocol Charlotte Shultz will honor Tony Bennett at the City Hall ceremony. Every radio station that broadcasts in the City has been asked to play "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" at or near noon. KOIT 96.5FM will preempt the noon news and will play "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" at exactly noon because of their long-standing relationship with Tony Bennett and his music. At noon the song will also be played over the public address system in Union Square and at Hallidie Plaza, courtesy of the Union Square Business Improvement District. San Franciscans are encouraged to stop what they are doing and sing along to "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" from office building, parks, sidewalks or where ever they are in the City. SFMTA will outfit historic cable cars to celebrate Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which will run all day. In the evening, City Hall will be illuminated in red for the celebration of Tony Bennett on Valentine's Day.

Google collaborated with Tony Bennett on their animated doodle in honor of Valentine's Day, which features the classic Bennett hit "Cold, Cold Heart" underscoring  a young boy's attempts to "melt the heart" of his chosen love. The Valentine's Day doodle can be viewed at google.com throughout the day.

Bennett, who achieved his first #1 CD with the release of DUETS II this past fall, garnered two Grammy Awards at the ceremony held this past Sunday, bringing his Grammy Award total to 17. Bennett scored his first Grammy Award 50 years ago when he won for Record of the Year for "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." His recent Grammy wins make him the only artist in the history of the awards to have spanned 50 years as a Grammy winner.

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SOURCE RPM/Columbia Records