Perry Como
One of the greatest singers of all time, Perry Como was born on May 18, 1912 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. In a career spanning 7 decades, Perry enjoyed tremendous success in many mediums of Entertainment - most notably as a recording artist and radio/television personality. He scored 150 charted singles - 14 of which reached No. 1 and 36 of which made it into the top 10. This all in the USA Alone! Perry also achieved phenomenal success Worldwide; having legions of loyal followers across the globe, with sell-out tours everywhere including the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan! Perry's first ambition was to become a barber. He first began barbering at the age 10 and did so very successfully. In these early years, Perry would sing at local events as well as to customers in his Barber Shop. In 1933, Perry auditioned for Freddie Carlone's Band. Perry was successful and began to learn his craft with the band. Then in late 1935, band leader Ted Weems heard Perry singing at a gambling casino in Warren, Ohio and Perry was hired. Over the next several years, Perry toured, appeared on radio and made recordings for Decca with the band. When Ted Weems disbanded his Orchestra in 1942, Perry was seriously considering going back to Barbering. Before he had time to resume his business, agent Tommy Rockwell gave him the offer of a sustaining radio show on CBS and a recording contract with RCA Victor, which lasted until 1987! Engagements at top venues such as the Copacabana soon followed. From 1944 onwards, Perry appeared on 'The Chesterfield Supper Club', which he would eventually host. On Christmas Eve 1948, the show was first broadcast on Television. Perry was a pioneer of Television. 'The Chesterfield Supper Club' aired in 1948 and 1949 on NBC. Then, in 1950, Perry went to CBS to host 'The Perry Como Show' which began as a 15 minute program. In 1955, Perry returned to NBC TV. The show was still titled 'The Perry Como Show', but was extended to 1 hour! It would continue under this title until 1959, when Perry signed with Kraft Foods and the show became known as 'Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall' which aired weekly on NBC until 1963. Along with Perry's undeniably superb performances, watching his TV shows is like a 'Who's Who?' of the world of entertainment. Everyone wanted to be on Perry's show! His charm, warmth and genuine personality endeared him to millions worldwide. He was the perfect entertainer for Television. In 1963, after 15 years of weekly TV, the shows were broadcast monthly until the late 1960's. Perry would continue to appear on TV regularly and annually until 1986; hosting seasonal specials from locations around the World. His annual Christmas shows became essential Family viewing. He made 39 Christmas Shows between 1948 and 1994. As well as a phenomenal Television career, Perry also had a sensational recording career, leaving behind an enormous catalogue of recorded music! Perry used the medium wonderfully to his advantage. He focused many of his singles (especially in the 1950's) on up-beat numbers. The album format was the opportunity for Perry to focus on a certain theme. Perry achieved tremendous success and critical acclaim as a recording artist and rightly so! He was appealing to people of all ages and was RCA's longest running hit! Many joked about Perry's relaxed style. Some were led to believe that Perry didn't care and wasn't in control! This of course was totally untrue. Perry was a complete professional who was totally in control and comfortable in his own skin. Harriet Van Horne, New York "World-Telegram" radio critic, found him: "darkly handsome, pleasantly wholesome, and mercifully unaffected. His voice is clear, full-throated baritone, and when he sings he appears to be suffering no pain at all. Not even that private exquisite pain that is peculiar to nightclub crooners". Perry created the art of effortlessness. He defines the genre 'Easy Listening'. However, by no means was it anywhere near as easy as Perry made it look. Perry once said "People have always thought that I wasn't ambitious. They judged by appearances and were fooled. I was competitive. I wanted success and was willing to work for it". Perry had a vocal quality surpassed by none, a marvellous sense of musicianship and exquisite phrasing. It came very naturally to Perry. Perry is often remembered for his Novelty recordings. Perry and his 'team' identified the trend in Novelties and he recorded them, with outstanding success! Many crooners fought the tidal wave of Novelty Songs, whereas Perry embraced it! They were all charming songs, full of fun and innocence! However, it would be disgraceful to consider Perry Como, only capable of singing novelty songs. All these songs are a delight to hear and are superbly performed. But! Perry was a true crooner - an exquisite interpreter of any lyric. The way he handled every song he sang was truly amazing. Perry could sing anything and throughout his vast catalogue of recordings you see and hear music of many genre's - Popular Vocal, Pop, Rock 'N' Roll, Country, Jazz, Blues, Latin, Swing, Faith & Inspirational, Christmas - the list goes on! Perry's versatility is outstanding. His legacy is of the highest quality and in enormous quantity. For detailed information on Perry's recording legacy, please be sure to visit: www.kokomo.ca - a superb website that I totally recommend to Como fans to expand their knowledge of Perry's wonderful legacy. It is an excellent reference guide especially focusing on recordings made by Perry for RCA Victor. He always had a wonderfully smooth, flowing approach to his recordings, which of course was one of his trademarks. On top of this he could belt out songs like no other, as well as singing tongue twisting, off-meter songs! For example, Perry wasn't too fond of the song 'Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes'. However, he recorded it (in 1 take!) with tremendous success! Perry was a true professional - complete perfection in 1 take! As well as his undeniably impeccable singing abilities, Perry was a wonderful human being. He was a very respectful person and a true gentleman who has set a wonderful example to us all. After many years of weekly Television, Perry continued to record regularly, making countless singles and albums. In 1970, Perry re-visited the live concert stage. Before 1970, outside of the live radio/television studio atmosphere, Perry hadn't performed live in concert for 25 years. From 1970 onwards, Perry embarked on tours worldwide, with sell-out concerts everywhere. He continued to perform live from then on until 1998, when he officially retired. Family life was very important to him. He married Roselle Belline in 1933. Roselle was Perry's rock, supporting him in whatever he did. They were married for 65 years. Together they had one child, Ronnie and they adopted two children, Terri and David. Roselle passed away on August 12, 1998; she was 84. On May 15, 1999, Perry's hometown of Canonsburg unveiled a life-size statue of Perry in their town, as a permanent reminder of their most famous son. On May 12, 2001, Perry Como passed away at the age of 88, just 6 days shy of his 89th Birthday. Perry may no longer be physically with us, but his wonderful legacy both personally and professionally will live on 'Till The End Of Time'!
Matthew Long, (c) 2007
For more information regarding Perry Como and his legacy, please contact:

The Perry Como Appreciation Society Matthew Long 62 Stroud Road Shirley Solihull West Midlands B90 2JT UNITED KINGDOM

E-mail: theperrycomoappreciationsociety@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.freewebs.com/theperrycomoappreciationsociety
Channel: www.youtube.com/comofan123
Drafted: May 24, 2007
Completed: June 1, 2007
Note: This biographical information of Perry Como has been produced for the benefit of Perry Como and is welcome to be freely distributed in any format, worldwide without prior permission, provided acknowledgement is given to the original source.