Paul Anka Biography | Canadian Pop Singer, Composer, Song Writer, Actor

Major Notes:

Paul Anka has been recognized as one of Canada's greatest song writers with a world-wide audience.
Anka's parents were very supportive and helped him get a head start in what was to become a successful career in music.
His early music training included playing the drums, the trumpet, and the piano as well as singing.
At age 11, Anka was singing in night clubs and by 14 had recorded his first self-written song, "I Confess".
A year later, he released a song, "Diana", which became a huge hit across North America and ignited his song writing career.
Within the next two years, Anka had written four top 20 hit songs for himself and another major hit song for the popular singer Buddy Holly.
When Holly died in a tragic airplane accident a year later, Anka directed that all composer royalties for the song be given to Holly's family.
Most of his early songs were based on teen love and became almost instant hits.
Anka signed a record contract in 1960 for RCA and also began to take some movie acting roles.
In 1962, he wrote a theme song for The Tonight Show which had an exceptionally long run.
Paul Anka wrote theme songs for several movies including the Academy Award nominated title song for "The Longest Day".
He wrote the song "My Way" for the famous Frank Sinatra and which was later recorded by several top stars including Elvis Presley.
Anka had several personal recordings of top hits in the 1970's including "(You’re) Having My Baby."
In the early 1990's, he was part owner of the Ottawa Senators hockey team but later sued the team.
He became popular around the world by recording his song albums in several languages.
Paul Anka has been honoured as a member of the Order of Canada and has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

Major Notes:

Paul Anka has been recognized as one of Canada's greatest song writers with a world-wide audience.

Anka's parents were very supportive and helped him get a head start in what was to become a successful career in music.

His early music training included playing the drums, the trumpet, and the piano as well as singing.

At age 11, Anka was singing in night clubs and by 14 had recorded his first self-written song, "I Confess".

A year later, he released a song, "Diana", which became a huge hit across North America and ignited his song writing career.

Within the next two years, Anka had written four top 20 hit songs for himself and another major hit song for the popular singer Buddy Holly.

When Holly died in a tragic airplane accident a year later, Anka directed that all composer royalties for the song be given to Holly's family.

Most of his early songs were based on teen love and became almost instant hits.

Anka signed a record contract in 1960 for RCA and also began to take some movie acting roles.

In 1962, he wrote a theme song for The Tonight Show which had an exceptionally long run.

Paul Anka wrote theme songs for several movies including the Academy Award nominated title song for "The Longest Day".

He wrote the song "My Way" for the famous Frank Sinatra and which was later recorded by several top stars including Elvis Presley.

Anka had several personal recordings of top hits in the 1970's including "(You’re) Having My Baby."

In the early 1990's, he was part owner of the Ottawa Senators hockey team but later sued the team.

He became popular around the world by recording his song albums in several languages.

Paul Anka has been honoured as a member of the Order of Canada and has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.