Famous Like Me > Composer > A > Paul Anka
Profile of Paul Anka
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| Name: |
Paul Anka |
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| Date of Birth: |
30th July 1941 |
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| Place of Birth: |
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
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| Profession: |
Composer |
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From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia
Paul Anka, OC (born July 30, 1941, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian-American singer and songwriter of Lebanese Maronite origin.
Anka began singing as a child and, encouraged by his parents, at age 14 he recorded his first single, "I Confess." In 1957 he went to New York City where he auditioned for ABC, singing a lovestruck verse he had written to a former babysitter, Diana Ayoub. The song, "Diana," brought Anka instant stardom as it rocketed to number one on the charts. "Diana" is one of the best selling 45s in music history. He followed up with four songs that made it into the Top 20 in 1958, making him one of the biggest teen idols of the time. He toured Britain and then, with Buddy Holly, toured Australia.
His talent went beyond singing, writing Buddy Holly's giant hit, "It Doesn't Matter Anymore," the theme for Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, Tom Jones' biggest hit record, "She's A Lady", and "My Way," Frank Sinatra's signature song.
In the 1960s, Anka would begin acting in motion pictures as well as writing songs for them, most notably the theme for the hit movie The Longest Day. From his movie work, he wrote and recorded his monster hit, "Lonely Boy." He then went on to become one of the first pop singers to perform at the Las Vegas casinos.
After more than ten years without a hit record, in 1974 he teamed up with Odia Coates to record the number 1 hit, "Having My Baby." They would record two more duets that both made it into the Top 10. In 1975, he wrote a jingle for Kodak called The Times of Your Life. The jingle became so popular, he recorded it as a full song, and it became a hit.
By the 1970s, Anka's career centered around adult contemporary and big-band standards, played regularly in Las Vegas. On September 6, 1990, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States. He returned to his home town to buy a part of the Ottawa Senators hockey team.
Born to parents of Lebanese origin, in 1999 he returned to Lebanon for sell-out performances at the Forum de Beyrouth (The Beirut Forum).
Paul Anka was elected to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1980.
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6840 Hollywood Blvd.
In 1991, the Government of France honored him with the title "Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters".
He was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in 2005.
On the WB show Gilmore Girls, Lorelai named her new dog after Paul Anka.
He was married to Anne DeZogheb from 1963 to 2000. They have five daughters: Amelia, Anthea, Alicia, Amanda (who is married to actor Jason Bateman), and Alexandra.
Discography
- 2005: Rock Swings #9 UK
- 1975: Times of Your Life
- 1974: Having My Baby (duet with Odia Coates)
- 1974: I Don't Like to Sleep Alone (duet with Odia Coates)
- 1974: One Man Woman/One Woman Man (duet with Odia Coates)
- 1961: Tonight My Love, Tonight
- 1959: It's Time to Cry
- 1959: Lonely Boy
- 1959: I Miss You So
- 1959: (All of A Sudden) My Heart Sings
- 1959: Puppy Love
- 1959: Put Your Head on My Shoulder
- 1958: Crazy Love
- 1958: You Are My Destiny
- 1957: Diana
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