Perry Como was born in 1912 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Throughout a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. He sold millions of records for RCA and also pioneered a weekly musical variety television show which set the standard and proved one of the most successful in television history. His combined success on television and popular recordings has never been equalled by any other artist of the time. Although he always liked to sing, his first great ambition was to be the best barber in Canonsburg. After graduating from high school, he opened his own barber shop. In 1933 he married his teenage sweetheart, Rosella Belline. They remained married until her death.

 

A popular television performer and recording artist, Como achieved numerous hit records and his weekly television shows were broadcast throughout the world for which his popularity had no geographical or language boundaries. The Perry Como show made him the highest paid performer in the history of television to that date, earning mention in the Guinness Book of World Records. He became TV’s famous “Mr C” and “Mr Nice Guy”. He was equally at ease in live performances and in the confines of a recording studio. His appeal spanned generations and he was widely respected for both his professional standards and the conduct of his personal life. Como modelled his voice and style after Bing Crosby as most male singers of the 1930’s and 1940’s did. Como’s voice is widely known for it’s good-natured vocal acrobatics as portrayed in his highly popular novelty songs such as “Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)”.

 

In January 1994, Como travelled to Dublin, Ireland, for what would be auspicious moment in his long career of more than 60 years. 1993 Would’ve marked his 50th anniversary RCA Victor label as well as his 45th year of television specials celebrat- ing Christmas and it’s importance throughout the world to people of all faiths. Como’s Irish Christmas was produced for the American public television system and despite Como looking aged and unwell, has been rebroadcast annually since 1994. Como died quietly in his sleep on May 12th, 2001 at his home in Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida, 6 days before his 89th birthday. He was reported to have suffered from symptoms of Alzheimers disease throughout the final years of his life. In the official RCA Records Billboard Magazine memorial, his life was summed up in these few words: “50 years of music and a life well lived. An example to all”.

 

Keyboard & Programming: Tony Drake
Vocals: Harry Curtis
Support Vocals: Natalie Grever
Guitars: Jonny Blundell
Clarinet & Sax: Len Richey
Recorded & Mixed at Lightway Studios
Tel: +27 21 788 9443
Email: tony@lightwaymusic.com
Engineered & arranged by Tony Drake
(Lightway Studios)
Produced by: Tony Drake & Harry Curtis