Post by Aerie on Jun 22, 2010 18:35:58 GMT -5
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an 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.[1] "Mr. C", as he was nicknamed, sold millions of records for RCA and 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.[2] 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."[3] One of the many factors in his success was Como's insistence on his principles of good taste; if he considered something to be in bad or poor taste, it wasn't in the broadcast or show.[4][5] While his performance of "Ave Maria" was a tradition of his holiday television programs, Como refused to sing it at live performances, saying, "It's not the time or place to do it.", even though it was the number one request of his audiences.[6]
Composer Ervin Drake said of him, "... [o]ccasionally 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."
Como received 3 Emmys (2 in 1956 and 1 in 1958), a Christopher Award (1956) and shared a Peabody Award with good friend Jackie Gleason in 1956.[7][8][9] He was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1989[10] and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1987.[11] Posthumously, Como received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002;[12] he was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2007.[13] Como has the distinction of having 3 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame-one each for his work in radio, in television, and in music.[14] Bing Crosby once described him as, "the man who invented casual".[15]
