San Francisco is rolling out a tribute on wheels for the late Tony Bennett, who serenaded the city with his timeless hit "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". Mayor London N. Breed and other city honchos came together to dedicate Cable Car 53 to the iconic crooner, who passed away last summer at 96. The California Street cable car will now carry a permanent emblem of Bennett's influence, a nod to both his role in its history and to his anthem that helped define the city's identity.
The ceremony, reported by sf.gov, saw Breed and Bennett's widow, Susan Benedetto, ride the newly dedicated cable car from California and Market streets to the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel in Nob Hill. This isn't just any old streetcar: this special trolley features ribbons on its ends, stating "Halfway to the Stars, Since 1873", which hints at the song's famous lyrics and the year the cable cars were invented in San Francisco. The plaque also commemorates the song's composers, George Cory and Douglass Cross, who originally penned it in 1953.
The tribute doesn't stop at a mere cable car. The Fairmont, where Bennett first belted out his signature tune back in 1961, is also home to a statue of the singer on its front lawn, unveiled during his 90th birthday celebrations. The hotel also offers a Tony Bennett suite, peppered with the singer’s artwork, ensuring his presence is felt well beyond a passing streetcar.
Bennett's philanthropic streak was also remembered; in 2004, he painted a heart for the The Hearts in San Francisco project, with proceeds benefiting the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation. This piece of heartwarming artwork resides in the Fairmont. For a man who won awards from Grammys to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' Humanitarian Award, Bennett never forgot the city he sang about, and it seems the city won't be forgetting him anytime soon.
The sentiment resonates with SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin, who told sf.gov, "We’re honored to carry the legacy of Tony Bennett on the very cars he helped immortalize in 'I Left my Heart in San Francisco.'" As for Susan Benedetto, she sees the cable car as a symbol for fans worldwide to feel a connection with her late husband, citing how "nothing would have thrilled my husband more." Indeed, it appears Tony Bennett's star will remain affixed to the city's cultural firmament, as ingrained in its heritage as the cable cars themselves, keeping both his memory and the melody riding through the streets of San Francisco.
