Tony Bennett, who famously sang about leaving his heart in San Francisco, is being honored by the city at a ceremony in City Hall on Valentine’s Day.
Bennett recorded the song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1962 and is returning to the city 50 years later to be honored in the Tuesday ceremony by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Mayor Ed Lee and various other current and former city leaders.
The 85-year-old Bennett first sang the song in December 1961 at the Fairmont Hotel’s Venetian Room in the city’s Nob Hill neighborhood and is returning there later Tuesday night for a sold-out benefit concert to raise money for heart research at University of California at San Francisco.
Several local choirs will sing their own versions of Bennett’s famous song at Tuesday’s noontime City Hall ceremony, which will conclude with a sing-along of the tune.
Every radio station in the city has also been asked to play “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at or near noon, and the song will be played over the public address system at both Union Square and Hallidie Plaza.
“The song reminds us of why we love our city so much and when we are away, it calls us home,” Lee said in a statement. “Mr. Bennett’s signature voice is celebrated around the world, and when he comes back to San Francisco, our hearts will surely be lifted.”
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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