Songwriters Hall of Fame

One of the most popular singers of the big band era, Perry Como was born on May 18, 1912 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

Como was working as a singing barber in his hometown when he began touring with local bandleader Freddie Carlone at the age of 21. By the mid-'30s, he got his big break with Ted Weems & His Orchestra, who headed a popular radio show named ‘Beat the Band.’

When the Weems orchestra broke up in 1942, Como hosted a regional CBS radio show later called Supper Club. The show's success gained him a contract with RCA Victor Records by 1943, and he also began working in Hollywood starring in films including Something For the Boys, Doll Face, If I’m Lucky and Words & Music.

Como’s relaxed style and romantic vocals made him one of the most enduring singers of the 1950’s and early mid 1960’s.

Among his more than 150 top twenty hits include the #1 recordings of ‘Till the End of Time’ (1945), ‘Prisoner Of Love’ (1946), ‘Surrender’ (1946), ‘Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go To Sleep)’ (1947), ‘'A' - You’re Adorable’ (with the Fontane Sisters, 1949), ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ (1949), ‘Hoop Dee Doo’ (1950), ‘If’ (1951), ‘Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes’ (1952), ‘No Other Love’ (1953), ‘Wanted’ (1954), ‘Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)’ (1956), ‘Round and Round’ (1957), ‘Catch a Falling Star’ (1958), and ‘It’s Impossible’ (1970).

In the 1970’s and 80’s, Como continued to record LPs and occasional television specials. On May 12, 2001 Perry Como died in his sleep at his home in Florida.