Anka has been honored with numerous awards, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Paul Anka is a renowned Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor, known for his classic hits like "Diana" and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder."
Born in Ottawa, Anka's musical talent was nurtured from a young age, studying piano and singing in his church choir.
Biography
Early Life
Paul Albert Anka was born on July 30, 1941, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, to Camelia and Andrew Emile Anka Sr., who owned a restaurant. His family has Lebanese Christian roots, with his father hailing from Damascus, Syria, and his mother from Lebanon. Anka's musical journey began early; he studied piano and sang in the choir at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral. He attended Fisher Park High School, where he formed a vocal trio called the Bobby Soxers.
Career
Anka's career took off when he recorded his first single, "I Confess," at the age of 14. In 1956, he moved to New York City, where he auditioned for ABC Records and released the hit song "Diana," which topped charts in Canada and the U.S. This success established him as a teen idol, and he followed up with several more hits, including "Lonely Boy" and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder." Anka also composed the theme for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and wrote songs for other artists, including Buddy Holly. His versatility extended to acting, with appearances in films and television shows, including a cameo in "The Longest Day" and guest spots on series like "Gilmore Girls."
Personal Life
Anka's personal life has been as colorful as his career. He was married to Anne de Zogheb from 1963 until 2000, and they had three daughters. Anka became a U.S. citizen in 1990 and later married his personal trainer, Anna Åberg, in 2008, though they divorced in 2010. He married Lisa Pemberton in 2016, but they divorced in 2020. Anka published his autobiography, "My Way," in 2013, detailing his life and career.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
The Painter1976
- 1.(You Bring Out) The Best in Me3:57
- 2.Wildflower3:31
- 3.The Painter4:23
- 4.Closing Doors3:49
- 5.Happier4:40
- 6.Living Isn't Living3:23
- 7.Aldous (instrumental)3:54
- 8.I'll Help You3:56
- 9.Never Gonna Fall in Love Again (Like I Fell in Love with You)4:37
- 10.Do I Love You? (Yes, in Every Way)3:22
- 11.Prelude2:55
- 12.(You Bring Out) The Best in Me (Reprise)
Feelings1975
- 1.Anytime (I'll Be There)3:16
- 2.I Don't Like To Sleep Alone3:14
- 3.Out Of My Mind In Love3:16
- 4.It's Sad To See The Old Hometown Again3:24
- 5.(I Believe) There's Nothing Stronger Than Our Love3:10
- 6.Wake Up3:12
- 7.Today I Became A Fool3:19
- 8.Girl You Turn Me On2:53
- 9.Walk Away3:28
- 10.Water Runs Deep4:18
Remember Diana1975
- 1.Diana2:19
- 2.Love Me Warm and Tender2:15
- 3.Put Your Head on My Shoulder2:33
- 4.Puppy Love2:43
- 5.Eso Beso (That Kiss!)2:17
- 6.Remember Diana1:56
- 7.You Are My Destiny2:24
- 8.In the Still of the Night2:41
- 9.Love (Makes the World Go 'Round)2:25
- 10.A Steel Guitar and a Glas of Wine2:11
Times of Your Life1975
- 1.(You're) Having My Baby2:33
- 2.One Man Woman / One Woman Man3:03
- 3.Wake Up3:14
- 4.Bring the Wine4:16
- 5.Times of Your Life3:12
- 6.I Don't Like to Sleep Alone3:15
- 7.Let Me Get to Know You3:19
- 8.(I Believe) There's Nothing Stronger Than Our Love2:50
- 9.Papa3:34
- 10.Anytime (I'll Be There)3:18
Anka1974
- 1.Bring the Wine4:11
- 2.One Man Woman/One Woman Man3:00
- 3.Something About You2:50
- 4.(You're) Having My Baby2:32
- 5.Let Me Get to Know You3:18
- 6.Love Is a Lonely Song3:56
- 7.How Can Anything Be Beautiful (After You)2:37
- 8.I Gave a Little and Lost a Lot3:02
- 9.Papa3:38
- 10.It Doesn't Matter Anymore3:38
Jubilation1972
- 1.Jubiliation6:58
- 2.Let Me Be the One4:13
- 3.Pretty Good3:43
- 4.You and Me Today4:37
- 5.Life Song3:05
- 6.Something Good is Coming2:59
- 7.Double Life2:50
- 8.Love Is2:48
- 9.Some Kind of Friend4:31
- 10.Kathum1:06
Paul Anka1971
- 1.We Made It Happen3:55
- 2.Everything’s Been Changed3:30
- 3.There Is Something I’d Like to Say to You3:23
- 4.Thats What Living’s About2:58
- 5.House Upon a Hill4:07
- 6.Yesterday My Life3:10
- 7.She’s a Lady2:47
- 8.Les Filles de Paris4:10
- 9.Do I Love You3:10
- 10.My Way4:34
70's1970
- 1.Medley
- 2.Midnight Mistress
- 3.Daddy
- 4.Rainy Monday
- 5.Crazy World
- 6.She's a Lady
- 7.City Life
- 8.Amanda
- 9.Anna May
- 10.I'm in Love With You
- 11.Real People
Life Goes On1969
- 1.Can't Get You Out of My Mind4:36
- 2.Find My Way2:38
- 3.Tell It Like It Is3:08
- 4.Eleanor Rigby3:32
- 5.Life Goes On3:43
- 6.Happy2:28
- 7.Do What You Gotta Do3:13
- 8.I Was There3:44
- 9.Keeping One Foot in the Door2:07
Goodnight My Love1969
- 1.Pickin' Up the Pieces3:38
- 2.Daddy's Home2:38
- 3.In the Still of the Night2:43
- 4.Next Year3:15
- 5.Forgive and Forget3:18
- 6.Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)3:19
- 7.You Send Me2:48
- 8.Think It Over Baby2:35
- 9.For Once In My Life3:03
- 10.Silhouettes3:02
- 11.I've Gotta Be Me3:05
Strictly Nashville1966
Tracklist not collected yet.
Italiano1964
- 1.Piangerò per te (Crying in the Wind)2:24
- 2.Balla con me (Dance On Little Girl)1:53
- 3.Crazy Love2:21
- 4.Eso Beso2:15
- 5.Ora triste (It's Time to Cry)2:27
- 6.Dimmi subito di si (Tonight My Love, Tonight)2:03
- 7.Abbandonati, amore (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)2:35
- 8.Voglio saper (I'd Like To Know)2:30
- 9.Ogni giorno (Love Me Warm and Tender)2:05
- 10.Diana2:20
- 11.Non è finita (Don't Ever Leave Me)2:19
- 12.Chitarra, vino e amore (A Steel Guitar and a Glass of Wine)2:12
- 13.Sei nel mio destino (You Are My Destiny)2:26
- 14.Cinderella2:05
- 15.Non giocar con l'amore (Don't Gamble with Love)2:21
- 16.Ogni notte (Every Night)2:26
3 Great Guys1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
Songs I Wish I'd Written1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
Paul Anka’s Great Hits — Strictly Instrumental1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
It’s Christmas Everywhere1960
Tracklist not collected yet.
Paul Anka1960
Tracklist not collected yet.
Paul Anka Sings His Big 151960
Tracklist not collected yet.
Swings for Young Lovers1960
Tracklist not collected yet.
Paul Anka in Italia1959
Tracklist not collected yet.
Lonely Boy1959
Tracklist not collected yet.
My Heart Sings1959
Tracklist not collected yet.
Paul Anka1958
Tracklist not collected yet.
Paul Anka’s Own Hits1958
Tracklist not collected yet.
All Gold Of The World2004
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- ABC Records
- Record label
- Columbia Records
- Record label
- EMI Records
- Record label
- RCA Records
- Record label
- United Artists Records
- Record label
- Buddah Records
- Record label
- Durium Marche Estere
- Record label
- Canadian-American Records
Achievements
- Award
- Officer of the Order of Canada
- Award
- Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year
- Award
- Canadian Music Hall of Fame
- Award
- Canada's Walk of Fame
- Award
- Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
- Award
- Johnny Mercer Award
- Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Award
- Great Immigrants Award
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Anka, P. Anka, Paul Albert Anka
Paul Albert Anka is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter, and actor. His songs include "Diana", "You Are My Destiny", "Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", "(You're) Having My Baby" and "My Way".
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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