Perry Como
Pierino Ronald “Perry” Como (1912 - 2001) was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on May 18, 1912, the middle child in a family of 13 children.
As a singer, the influence and style of Bing Crosby was evident. Throughout a career spanning more than half a century Perry recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. He sold millions of records for RCA but he also pioneered a weekly musical variety television show which set the standard and proved one of the most successful television history.
His weekly television shows and seasonal specials were broadcast throughout the world for which his popularity seemingly had no geographical or language boundaries. He was equally at ease in live performance or in the confines of a recording studio. His appeal spanned generations and he was widely respected for both his professional standards and the conduct of his personal life. In the official RCA Records Billboard Magazine memorial, his life was summed up in these few words: “50 years of music and a life well lived. An example to all.”
Perry's first top ten was "Long Ago and Far Away" in 1944.
In 1945 Perry Como’s pop ballad “Till the End of Time” (based on Chopin’s “Polonaise in A-Flat”) was his first chart topper, followed by more than a dozen number one hits including,“Prisoner Of Love”, “Surrender”, “Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba”, “A-You’re Adorable”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Hoop-De-Doo”, “If”, “Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes”, “No Other Love”, “Wanted”, “Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)”, “Round And Round” and “Catch A Falling Star”
With nearly 150 recordings on the Hit Parade, among Perry’s top ten hits were, “When You Were Sweet Sixteen”, “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now”, “Forever and Ever”, “Ko-Ko-Mo”, “If I Loved You”, “A Bushel And A Peck”, “They Say It’s Wonderful”, “Because”, “Far Away Places”, “Papa Loves Mambo”, “Magic Moments”, “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows”, Bali Hai”, “Tina Marie”, “Kewpie Doll”, “Glendora” and “It’s Impossible”. He was also known for his Christmas recordings.
With his beloved wife of 65 years, Roselle, departing life in 1998 Perry lived quietly in their home in Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida until he too died quietly in his sleep on May 12, 2001, just six days before his eighty-ninth birthday.
In 2007 Perry Como was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
