If after all these years of success at every turn in his career, singer and songwriter Paul Anka has allowed international star status to go to his head, it would be impossible to know from his outward demeanor. “When you’re focusing and working diligently as a professional, you’re obviously aware [of fame] as the years have gone by, and you’re more grateful, thankful and amazed, in a changing world of technology, that your audience has stayed this true internationally,” he said. “I think the big bubble for me has always been [shows in] Asia one day, Israel the next, then South America. We have another tour in November, which takes me right through Europe. When you have that kind of following, after all these years, of course, it has a great impact. Hopefully, it’s based on the content of the music.
Audiences have been faithful both internationally and here at home as this original teen idol prepares for his concert Thursday evening at Wolf Trap.
| ONSTAGE |
| An Evening with Paul Anka |
| » Where: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, 1645 Trap Rd., Vienna |
| » When: 8 p.m. Thursday |
| » Info: $48 house, $25 lawn; 877-WOLFTRAP; wolftrap.org |
Since 1957, when Anka wrote “Diana,” his first No. 1 hit on both sides of the Atlantic, he has written many songs, both for himself (“Put Your Head on My Shoulder” and “You Are My Destiny”) as well as for other singing sensations such as Buddy Holly and Connie Francis. The success of “My Way,” written for Frank Sinatra, and “Having My Baby” which he recorded himself, propelled him to his status as an icon of popular music. Few people are aware that he wrote the theme for “The Tonight Show,” which, he said, “put my five kids through college.”
Anka’s two most recent albums, “Rock Swings” and “Classic Songs, My Way,” features songs originally created by artists over several decades and genres such as Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life,” Lionel Richie’s “Hello,” Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven,” even Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Here’s the twist: Anka, for a change performs other musicians’ songs and reworks them “his way.”
Many of these, along with Anka’s years of original music, will be performed at Wolf Trap in what he refers to as “a diversified program … with a lot of video presentation.” He will also bring a fairly large orchestra with him with a large rhythm section for the pop, swing and jazz tunes.
“It has always been about the music,” Anka explained. “And the paying people want the old songs. I’ll be doing the things I’m known for.”
What very few people do know is that he co-wrote a song that became a No. 1 worldwide hit and that it will have a special place in his program.
“Michael Jackson will be with me [in our song,] “This Is It.”
