Canadian History for Kids: Paul Anka

April 6, 1960 – Paul Anka’s single Puppy Love peaks at #1 on the Billboard pop chart.

This Canadian History for Kids exclusive, looks at the amazing career of Canadian Paul Anka.

On April 6, 1960, Paul Anka’s single, Puppy Love, hits #1 on New York’s Billboard. Puppy Love was written by Paul Anka in 1960 for the woman he was dating at the time, Annette Funicello. Twelve years later Donny Osmond made the song famous again.

Paul Albert Anka, was born on July 30, 1941, in Ottawa. At age 13 he had his own band called the Bobbysoxers. He won a trip to New York by winning a Campbell’s soup contest for IGA Food Store, and this cemented his desire to be a singer / writer. In 1956 he went to Los Angeles, where he released his first single, Blau-Wile Deverest Fontaine, with Modern Records. The next year he went back to Los Angeles and signed with Paramount Records. His song “Diana” became his first number one hit.

Paul Anka was now a star, traveling with such greats as Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly. He was also the youngest entertainer to ever perform at the Copa Cabana.

Then the Beatles came on the scene and the British invasion began. Fortunately for Paul Anka he was also a writer. He wrote for Buddy Holly, Connie Francis, and Barbra Streisand. He wrote other great hits such as My Way for Frank Sinatra and She’s a Lady for Tom Jones. One of his greatest writing accomplishments was writing the theme song for The Longest Day which was nominated for an Academy Award. He also starred in the 1962 film. He also wrote the then song for the Tonight Show which was hosted by Johnny Carson.

In 1974, he reached the number one slot again with his song Having My Baby, a duet with Odia Coates.

In 1993, Paul Anka was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2009, it was revealed that he co-wrote Michael Jackson’s posthumous #1 worldwide hit, This is It.

And that’s this week’s Canadian History for Kids, exclusive!
 

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