To many of his fans and followers, Tony Bennett perfectly embodied New York City, his smooth, velvety voice seamlessly merging with the rhythms of Manhattan, his style and outlook firmly in tune with that special X-factor that pulses through the bustling metropolis on the Hudson and imbues it with life. The born and bred New Yorker was loyal to the city he loved (and that loved him back) ’til his dying day, capturing the light of its seasons in his multitude of paintings and artistic renderings, immortalizing its tone and candor on his many best-selling records. From birth to his final farewell It was his muse and his playground, but most of all, it was his home.

Tony Bennett’s story is a New York Story if there ever was one. It’s therefore a little funny that Bennett’s biggest hit is actually dedicated to an entirely different city, no less lovely but on the opposite end of the country and quite different in most respects. One he never lived in, but one in which he found much inspiration for his artistry and remained for him a safe haven throughout his illustrious career.

Yes, even though it sits almost 2,600 miles away from his beloved New York, it was San Fransisco that inspired the song which made Tony Bennett a household name, the aptly titled “I Left My Heart In San Fransisco.” Originally written for an opera singer, Bennett instantly fell in love with the tune when he heard it. He premiered it in 1961 at the Venetian Room in Nob Hill’s Fairmont Hotel (where he would perform steadily for the rest of his career), and released it as a single in 1962. Although the song was only a modest success on the charts, it had a lingering appeal that ultimately saw it winning two Grammys (“Record of the Year” and “Best Male Solo Vocal Performance”) and become Bennett’s signature song.

In public and private, Tony Bennett had nothing but love for the city by the bay, speaking fondly of his experiences there and the warm reception he continually received there. In interviews, he described San Fransisco as a source of inspiration and a hub of creativity and culture, which always felt like home away from home.

Be sure to visit Julien’s very own San Francisco exhibition at the historical Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, April 8, 9 & 10 from 10AM to 6PM in the Garden Room.