Perry Como (real name Pierino Ronald Como) is a world music legend and famous showman. An American television star who gained fame for her soulful and velvety baritone voice. For more than six decades, his records have sold over 100 million copies.
Childhood and youth Perry Como
The musician was born on May 18, 1912 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Parents emigrated from Italy to America. In the family, in addition to Perry, there were 12 more children.
He was the seventh child. Before starting a singing career, the musician had to work for a long time as a hairdresser.
He started working at the age of 11. In the morning the boy attended school, and then cut his hair. Over time, he opened his own barbershop.
However, despite the talent of a hairdresser, the artist liked to sing more. After a few years of graduation, Perry left his native state and went to conquer the big stage.
Perry Como's career
It didn't take long for the future artist to prove that he had talent. Soon he managed to get a place in the Freddie Carlone Orchestra, where he earned money by touring the Midwest. His real success came in 1937 when he joined Ted Weems' orchestra. It was included in the Beat the Band radio program.
During the war period in 1942, the group broke up. Perry started his solo career. In 1943, the musician signed a contract with the RCA Records label, and in the future, all records were under this label.
His hits Long Ago and Far Away, I'm Gonna Love That Gal and If I Loved You were all over the radio during that period. Thanks to the ballad Till The End of Time, performed in 1945, the performer gained worldwide fame.
In the 1950s, Perry Como played such hits as Catch a Falling Star and It's Impossible, And I Love You So. In just a week in the 1940s, 4 million records of the singer were sold. In the 1950s, 11 singles sold over 1 million copies each.
The musician's shows were a significant success, thanks to the fact that Perry was able to turn them into mini-performances. In addition to the beautiful performance of compositions, the artist focused on irony and parody when singing. So, gradually Perry began to master the career of a showman, where he also succeeded.
The last concert of the singer took place in 1994 in Dublin. At that time, the musician celebrated the 60th anniversary of his singing career.
Perry Como's television work
Perry appeared in three films in the 1940s. But the roles, unfortunately, were less memorable. However, in 1948, the artist made his NBC debut on The Chesterfield Supper Club.
The program has become very popular. And in 1950 he hosted his own show The Perry Como Show on CBS. The show ran for 5 years.
Throughout his television career, Perry Como took part in a significant number of television shows, from 1948 to 1994. He was recognized as the highest paid artist of his time and included in the Guinness Book of Records.
The musician was awarded the special Kennedy Award for excellence in the arts, which was presented to him by President Reagan.
Personal life Perry Como
In the life of musician Perry Como there was only one great love, with which he lived together for 65 years. His wife's name was Roselle Beline. The first meeting took place in 1929 at a birthday party.
Perry celebrated his 17th birthday at a picnic. And in 1933, the couple got married, right after the girl graduated from high school.
They had three joint children. In 1940, the couple had their first child. Then the musician left his job for a while in order to be close to his wife and help her.
The wife of the artist died at the age of 84. The singer protected the family from show business. In his opinion, professional career and personal life should not be intertwined. Perry did not allow journalists to take pictures of his family and the house they lived in.
Death of Perry Como
The musician died a week before his birthday in 2001. He was supposed to be 89 years old. The singer suffered from Alzheimer's disease for several years. According to his relatives, the musician died in his sleep. The funeral was in Palm Beach, Florida.
After Perry's death, a monument was erected in his hometown of Canonsburg. This unique architectural creation has its own peculiarity - it sings. The statue reproduces the popular hits of the singer. And on the monument itself there was an inscription in English To This Place God Has Brought Me (“God brought me to this place”).
Interesting facts about Perry Como
In 1975, during his tour, the artist was invited to Buckingham Palace. But this invitation did not extend to his creative team, and he refused. Having learned the reason for the refusal, an exception was made for his team, after which Perry accepted the invitation.
While visiting Dublin, Perry visited a local hairdresser, where he was invited by the owners of this establishment. The barbershop was named Como after him.
One of the artist's hobbies was playing golf. The singer devoted his free time to this occupation.
Despite fame and success, people who knew him noted that Perry was a very modest person. With great reluctance, he talked about his successes and was embarrassed by excessive attention to his personality. The overall success of the musician could not be surpassed by any artist.
