During 1957's "Show of Stars" in Vancouver, it was my job to introduce each act as they appeared on stage, then I would rush backstage and tape a quick interview with one of the stars. The show was literally a live jukebox presentation, hit artist after hit artist and song after song. Eddie Cochran, Jimmy Bowen, Buddy Knox, Don and Phil Everly, Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, George Hamilton IV, Buddy Holly and the Crickets - an incredible assortment of talent, a Who's Who of early rock and roll.
Paul Anka was just fifteen when I first met him during this tour. He seemed arrogant, but to me this was his way of covering up his obvious inferiority complex. After all, he was the youngest performer on the show and he had to compensate. His first hit "Diana" had just been released in the summer of 1957 and it launched his career. It came across as arrogance but there was no question about his talent and his stage presence. He was, at the time, the only Canadian who had made it into the international arena of Rock and Roll. On my taped interview with him during this time he sounds cocky but if he hadn't been, who else would have listened to him, who else would have promoted him?
Paul Anka was, and always has been, his own best promoter. He works at this as much as he works at songwriting and everything that he involves himself with. One of the differences with Paul Anka was his ability to write most of his own material. He has not only written hits for himself, but for others. He wrote "My Way" for Frank Sinatra and "She's A Lady" for Tom Jones and many other hits for many other singers.
As we celebrate Paul Anka's birthday today, please join me in extending your best wishes to a genuine Canadian music icon who is still going strong. And please take time to visit Paul at paulanka.com or subscribe to his YouTube channel, PaulAnkaTV. That's where you can hear Paul's latest, "Sessions". It's a masterful work by a true pop craftsman. I know you'll enjoy it!
Happy birthday, Paul!