Induction Year

2005

Pillar of Achievement

Arts & Entertainment

Born

Jul 30, 1941 (84 years)

Birth Place

Ottawa, Ontario

In 1957, at the age of 16, Paul made his network debut on American Bandstand singing his song, “Diana”. Less than four weeks after that appearance, “Diana” would be the Number 1 song on Billboard’s charts.

Before he turned 18, he had five Top-20 hits and was a household name. By the late ’50s, Paul Anka had established himself as a prolific and successful singer/songwriter, with numerous appearances on American Bandstand, The Perry Como Show and The Ed Sullivan Show. In the wake of the British Invasion, the music of Paul Anka remained timely, ushering in such classics as “A Steel Guitar And A Glass Of Wine” and “Love Me Warm And Tender”.

With well over 900 songs to his credit, his music has been performed by such greats as Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones, Buddy Holly, Linda Ronstadt, The Sex Pistols, Nina Simone, Gypsy Kings, and Robbie Williams – to name a few. In addition, his compositions for other artists have helped catapult their careers: “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” for Buddy Holly, “She’s a Lady” for Tom Jones, “Puppy Love” for Donny Osmond and “My Way” for Frank Sinatra. Anka has successfully collaborated with songwriters David Foster, Carol Bayer Sager, Richard Marx, Michael McDonald, Michael Jackson and many others.

A man of many talents, Paul Anka has done his fair share of acting in front of the camera, appearing in 3000 Miles to Graceland, Mad Dog Time and The Longest Day.

Interesting Facts

In 1968, he penned the lyrics to “My Way” — written for Sinatra’s impending retirement — in a single night.

He cowrote Michael Jackson’s final hit, “This Is It,” which was released after it was discovered at the singer’s home following his 2009 death. It was recorded in the early ’80s, but Anka says Jackson secretly took the demo tapes from Anka’s studio.

Memorable Moments

  • My Way – Paul Anka w/ Frank Sinatra

  • Paul Anka – It’s Time To Cry (1959)

  • Paul Anka – Lonely Boy (The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show – 1959)

Photo Highlights