romance of the fifties-era of rock and roll. Delight your friends and family, by learning to play this nostalgic early
Paul Anka (born July 30, 1941) is a Canadian singer, songwriter and actor. Anka became famous with hit songs like "Diana", "Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", and "(You're) Having My Baby". He wrote such well-known music as the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and one of Tom Jones's biggest hits, "She's a Lady". He also wrote the English lyrics to Claude François and Jacques Revaux's music for Frank Sinatra's signature song, "My Way", which has been recorded by many, including Elvis Presley.
Paul's song, "Diana" has been recorded over three hundred times
in sixteen countries between 1957 and 1963. Worldwide Anka's version reportedly has sold
more then nine million copies. His next single "You Are My Destiny" reached the Top Ten in early 1958. Anka
then released singles every few months. However, they didn't do nearly as well as his past
records. By early 1959, many thought Anka's might have been a one hit wonder with
"Diana." Then, Anka was chosen to play a role in a the low budget movie
"Girl's Town". In the movie he sang "Lonely Boy," which became one of
his biggest hits. "Lonely Boy" was followed by "Put Your Head On My
Shoulder," "It's Time To Cry," "Puppy Love," and "My Home
Town," all Top Ten Hits.
Anka was now in demand around the world and appeared at the London Palladium and other
English venues in November, 1957. In January he toured Australia with Buddy Holly. n 1962, trying to reach a broader audience, Anka switched record labels and
signed with RCA Victor. His first few records sold well, but he also had some failures.
During the five years after 1963, Anka failed to place a single on the charts. In 1971, he
signed with a new label Buddah Records, whom he thought was more in tune with his record
buying audience. Anka released a few singles for Buddah, but his songwriting was clearly
out of style. In 1974, Anka signed with United Artist, a company known for it's middle of the road
music. His first release "(You're) Having My Baby" went to #1. Based on feedback
from a new feminist movement Anka began performing the song as "(You're) Having Our
Baby." His songs were now being directed to the new "adult contemporary"
market.
By the 1970s, Anka's show was built around big-band standards, his own hits, and songs
he had written for others. Anka was credited with writing twelve songs that became gold records, most of which he
recorded. However, Anka wrote a number of songs for others including "My Way,"
Frank Sinatra's signature song. He also wrote "It Doesn't Matter Anymore"
released by Buddy Holly just before his death. "She's A Lady" was a
million seller for Tom Jones. Anka also wrote the theme music for "The Tonight
Show". In the late 1970s, Kodak used his "The Times of Your Life" for a
successful advertising campaign.
Today Paul Anka is a multimillionaire, due to his night club successes, record and
publishing royalties, and investments that include two publishing houses. He owns a
personal jet, large ranch near Monterey and a home in Las Vegas. In 1991, he bought a
percentage of the Ottawa Senators hockey team. Paul Anka became a United States citizen in August, 1990.