Paul Anka Biography

Fast Facts

• Was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008
• During his childhood, he studied piano, sang in his church's choir, and took journalism courses, once working for the Ottawa Citizen newspaper
• Released his first single, "Blau-Wile Deverest Fontaine," in 1956 at Modern Records
• Started his own vocal group, the Bobbysoxers, at the age of 13 and performed at every local amateur night he could
• Quote: "I was alone, traveling, girls screaming, and I never got near them․․․That becomes 'Lonely Boy․'․․․I'm up on stage and all these kids are holding each other with heads on each other's shoulders․․․'Put Your Head on My Shoulder' was․․․that experience․"
• Quote: "After a few hits, I knew I was a writer, and with writers, the power was always in the pen․․․[Songwriting and performing] are what gave me the confidence to keep going․"
• Best known as a pop and jazz singer-songwriter whose hit songs include "Diana," "You're Having My Baby," and "Lonely Boy․"
• Both for himself and for others, he was written nearly 900 songs during his career
• Was the youngest entertainer to ever perform at the Copa Cabana
• Wrote songs for the likes of Buddy Holly and Connie Francis and was the co-writer of Michael Jackson's posthumous 2009 hit "This Is It․"