Perry Como

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Perry Como

One of the most popular vocalists between the end of World War II and the rise of rock & roll in the mid-1950s, Perry Como was a popular Rock and Roll singer in the 50's. He released the hit single, "If I Loved You".

About

Perry Como or Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como in real life was born on May 18, 1912 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania to "Pietro Como", a mill hand and "Lucia Travaglini Como". Perry's first ambition when he was a kind to be a best barber someday. While studying in high school, he opened his own barbershop. While working as a singing barber in his hometown, he began touring with bandleader Freddie Carlone when he was 21.

After three years, he went to "Ted Weems" Orchestra. In the 40's after the break up of the band, Perry is offered to work with singer Jo Stafford on the Chesterfield Supper Club, a radio show broadcast Mondays through Fridays. In 1943, he signed a recording contract under RCA Victor Records.

His first recording for RCA was in that same year though he had to wait until 1945 for his couple of hit records and then he really hit the gold. In 1945, he did the song "If I Loved You" which sold a million of copies.

Pery sold more than one hundred million records and had fourteen tunes that were ranked number one musical hits. In 1946, he was named top-selling male singer by Billboard. He produces more hit singles like "Prisoner of Love" and Surrender in 1946, "Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba" in 1947, "You're Adorable", "Some Enchanted Evening in 1949, "Hoop-De-Doo" in 1950, "If" in 1951, "No Other Love" in 1953, "Wanted" in 1954, "Hot Diggity" in 1956, "Round and Round" in 1957 and "Catch A Falling Star" in 1957 which received a Gold award. Throughout the 1950s, Como’s appeal was unrivalled but, inevitably, with the dawn of Rock 'N' Roll.

His achievements during the rock-and-roll era, when ballad crooners were falling by the wayside, were particularly remarkable. He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. He was also inducted into Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2007. Resurfacing for various television appearances during the 1970s and 1980s. Perry Como passed away in his sleep in May 2001.

Awards & Certifications

Chart Toppers

News

Tours & Concerts

There are no current tour and concert schedules for Perry Como.

Announcements

There are no announcements as of this time

Discography

Albums

So Smooth 1955 RCA Victor	Dream Along With Me 1957 Camdem	We Get Letters September 1957 RCA Victor	Saturday Night With Mr. C July 1958 RCA Victor
Como Swings September 1959 RCA Victor	For the Young at Heart January 1961 RCA Victor	Sing To Me, Mr. C August 1961 RCA Victor	Mr. President November 1962 RCA
The Songs I Love 1963 RCA Victor	The Scene Changes 1965 RCA Victor	Perry Como in Italy 1966 RCA Victor	Lightly Latin 1966 RCA Victor
Look To Your Heart November 1968 RCA	Seattle June 1969 RCA Victor	Easy Listening 1970 Pair	I Think of You 1971 RCA Victor
The Shadow of Your Smile 1972 RCA	And I Love You So May 1973 RCA	Perry 1974 RCA	Perry Como 1980 RCA

Singles

Compilations & Live Releases

Other artists

Similar artists

Contemporaries

Influences

Trivia

• Perry Como's birthplace of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania is also the birth place of popular singer Bobby Vinton.

• Perry Como himself is a seventh son of a seventh son.

• His version of Jingle Bells topped Billboard magazine's Hot Ringtones chart in the December 16, 2006 issue, meaning that Como has had chart-topping songs 61 years apart.

• He has a 2 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

• Perry didn’t have a car in his youth so he traveled to work by trolley car.

• Perry was the longest popular artist who remained with his original label RCA Victor records which lasted from 1943 until 1948.

Reviews

External Links

• [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=3571

Perry Como Billboard Profile]

• Perry Como Myspace Page