PERRY COMO
Name: Perry Como
Birth name: Pierino Ronald Como
Born: 18 May 1912 Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: 12 May 2001 Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida, U.S.
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (May 18, 1912 - May 12, 2001) was an Italian-American
singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a
century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with it
in 1943. "Mr. C", as he was nicknamed, sold millions of records for RCA and also
pioneered a weekly musical variety television show, which set the standards for
the genre and proved to be one of the most successful in television history. His
combined success on television and popular recordings was not matched by any
other artist of the time.
A popular television performer and recording artist, Perry Como produced
numerous hit records with record sales so high the label literally stopped
counting at Como's behest. His weekly television shows and seasonal specials
were broadcast throughout the world and his popularity seemingly had no
geographical or language boundaries. He was equally at ease in live performance
and in the confines of a recording studio. His appeal spanned generations and he
was widely respected for both his professional standards and the conduct in 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."
Well known American composer Ervin Drake said of him, " . . . occasionally
someone like Perry comes along and won't 'go with the flow' and still prevails
in spite of all the bankrupt others who surround him and importune him to yield
to their values. Only occasionally."
Perry Como received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1989, and was inducted into the
Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
Name: Perry Como
Birth name: Pierino Ronald Como
Born: 18 May 1912 Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: 12 May 2001 Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida, U.S.
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (May 18, 1912 - May 12, 2001) was an Italian-American
singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a
century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with it
in 1943. "Mr. C", as he was nicknamed, sold millions of records for RCA and also
pioneered a weekly musical variety television show, which set the standards for
the genre and proved to be one of the most successful in television history. His
combined success on television and popular recordings was not matched by any
other artist of the time.
A popular television performer and recording artist, Perry Como produced
numerous hit records with record sales so high the label literally stopped
counting at Como's behest. His weekly television shows and seasonal specials
were broadcast throughout the world and his popularity seemingly had no
geographical or language boundaries. He was equally at ease in live performance
and in the confines of a recording studio. His appeal spanned generations and he
was widely respected for both his professional standards and the conduct in 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."
Well known American composer Ervin Drake said of him, " . . . occasionally
someone like Perry comes along and won't 'go with the flow' and still prevails
in spite of all the bankrupt others who surround him and importune him to yield
to their values. Only occasionally."
Perry Como received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1989, and was inducted into the
Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006.