The Untold Truth Of Paul Anka

Canadian singer Paul Anka has had an exceptional career by any judgment. One of the rare figures who succeeded as both singer and writer during the big band and crooner eras, Anka wrote for and performed alongside peers such as Frank Sinatra, even penning the great performer's signature song "My Way". Unlike many of the greats from that generation, Anka is still living and active at the time of this video's production. Anka has had his share of career transitions and scandals, but he's weathered them all and remains a recognizable icon to this day. This is the untold truth of Paul Anka.

#PaulAnka #Musician #Celeb

Happy childhood | 0:00
Child prodigy | 0:55
Writing career? | 1:50
For Diana | 2:38
Paul and Buddy | 3:49
Low point | 4:41
Nightclub life | 5:37
Personal tragedy | 6:46
Anka's rant | 7:58
Anka and Sinatra | 8:42
Serious songwriter | 10:15

[Ekkie]

I worked as a recording engineer in Las Vegas and often recorded Paul Anika's demos of his new songs. I was struck by his ability to come up with entire sets of lyrics on the fly. He is an incredible songwriter. This was in the seventies and being the seventies he would also bring the best weed to the studio.

[nancysneverendingcookbook]

He was terrific. I grew up loving his music, watching him on Band Stand, etc. I love the 40's, 50's, 60's music and softer music. God bless him and his music/talent.

[annakisfaludinebaan]

Paul Anka was already a star as a teenager! We already loved him in my high school years!

[gorkivalenzuela]

Paul Anka's songs talked to my heart when I was in my teens in the 50's. My girlfried, by then, introduced me to his songs and I bought his first L.P. sInce then I followed him. Later came Neil Sedaka. Those were my years and bring me memories when I was young.

[roysmallian]

Anka was/is a true hero in the music word. He did what he had to and is an example of what hard work can do in addition to having talent. I'd suspect it was not easy and it is a credit to him that he seems not to have hurt or denigrated anyone else in the process. In all the years no negative stories ever came about.

[lindajones]

The absolute best show & performance we ever saw was in the 90’s at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Paul Anka captured his audience & didn’t release us for nearly 2 hours. It was amazing & memorable.

[littlejohn]

I think he is sadly underrated or put into some oldies type category. I've heard him do modern and punchy stuff that stands up. Currently I live in the Czech Republic and even now they all remember Diana; there are even versions in Czech. One singer I know - Sarka sings it and she makes me sing the harmony in Czech. :)

[lilybond]

He wrote about 200 songs before the age of 21. Amazing. —— but when The Beatles hit the scene —— Paul Anka was history —— but the older people still liked his music.

[justdoit]

I'm a '97 baby anf I love his music. I grew up listening to his songs and others as well. Filipinos actually love him.

[Tracymmo]

I was sittng in a diner on a cold rainy day, a few hours after getting laid off from my job when this song came on, and I burst into tears. It made me think of my dad who died five months before. I could her him singing along to the record. It was a lousy day, but as much as I missed him, it felt good to have such a powerful reminder of him . Then the waitress was really sweet and gave me a free cup of tea.

[johngergen]

The year 1960: At the age of 18 and a recent high school graduate, I went to work as a busboy in the Garden Room at the Sands Hotel. This was my summer job since I was 15 years old and I had become accustomed being around big name performers. However, In the summer of 1960 I was working the dinner shift in the Garden Room. Around 11 O' clock I was instructed to take the golf cart and go to a certain room number and pick up the dinner dishes. I drove the cart into the hallway and found the room that I was suppose to pick up the dishes. When I got there, the door to the room was open and a man stood in the doorway and was talking to someone inside. The man left and the door was open so I carried my tray into the room. I told the young guy, I was here to pick up his dishes. I knew Paul Anka was performing in the Copa Room, but I was still surprised it was his room. I went directly to the table to retrieve the dishes. Paul Anka standing in his bathrobe
was listening to an LP. The record was playing big band music that was still popular for the older generation. He started up a conversation with me and asked my opinion of the music. He said he liked the arrangement and mentioned the composers name. I had no idea what he was talking about and just said that it sound good. I started to walk pass him with the tray of dishes and he reached into his bathrobe for tip money. As I started to leave his room, his manager entered. Paul asked his manager if he had any money and he said no. The last thing I heard Paul Anka say was " I get you later. " We were about the same age, but now I think of the enormous amount of pressure Paul Anka had to be under as a performer at the Sands. The Copa Room was big time entertainment.

[shirleysmith]

Paul Anka is an amazing writer and a very talented and loving ❤ He should have received more career advantages! 👌

[budblankenship]

In the mid 70s, I casted him as a lead actor in a book report. My mother shook her head in disbelief and wanted me to change that part. The reason I used him because the book character was Canadian and would have been born approximately 1940. I opened up a World Almanac and scrolled down the "Noted Personalities" I didn't even have to get past the A's to find Paul Anka fitting the bill. It kind of showed what a lazy, albeit resourceful teen I was. Years later, I'd find old movies with Paul Anka in an acting role just to say "I told you so" to my mother.

[lynneballados]

I am always in tears everytime i hear any of his songs so did my brother

[claravela]

Paul Anka is an amazing writer and so well spoken person.

[fumblerooskie]

I once read that he was paid several thousand dollars every time the Johnny Carson theme song, which he wrote, was played. That was over 7800 episodes, and it was played twice a show. He's probably still getting paid from reruns.

[malgorzatamiroslawakim]

WANDEFULL i see Mr Anka in Osaka Japan concert. People love his voice. Thank you very much for sharing video 📹.

[sallygomez]

Great singer and songwriter. He was a little before my time but I know all his songs.

[ShirleyMelnyk]

WOW! Quite a go getter! Amazing person. Some tough times too. Sad about the loss of his mom at such a young age. Losing a mother is very devastating for a young person 😢😢

[davidhechler]

My respect for Paul Anka dropped a bit when I learned that he tried to talk Elvis out of recording, or singing "MY WAY." His excuse was that the song was written exclusively for Sinatra. He apparently thought that only Sinatra did the song justice. I got news for him. There has been a few surveys that all show that most people did the song much better than Frank. For me, Elvis gave the song feeling and way better than Frank's rendition.