Paul Anka: The Timeless Crooner and Prolific Songwriter
Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and actor, renowned as a teen idol in the late 1950s and for his enduring contributions to popular music.Born in Ottawa, Canada, Anka shot to international fame at age 16 with his self-penned hit 'Diana' (1957).He became a defining figure of the early rock and roll era and later transitioned into traditional pop, writing iconic standards like 'My Way' (popularized by Frank Sinatra) and the theme for 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'.His career spans over six decades, marked by consistent chart success and prolific songwriting for numerous artists.
- Anka famously sold the publishing rights to his early hits for just $1, believing they wouldn't have lasting value – a decision he later regretted.
- He wrote the English lyrics for Claude François's composition 'Comme d'habitude', transforming it into the legendary anthem 'My Way' for Frank Sinatra in 1969.
- Anka wrote 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' theme ('Johnny's Theme') in 1962, which became one of the most recognizable TV themes in history.
- Despite his Jewish background, Anka's family sent him to a Catholic high school in Ottawa.
- He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1990 while retaining his Canadian citizenship.