Columnist Joe Delaney: Reflecting on Anka’s long, hit-filled career

Joe Delaney

Friday, May 17, 2002 | 10:14 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears on Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at joe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4066.

Quintessential performer, singer and songwriter Paul Anka, appearing in The Mirage's Siegfried & Roy Theatre through Monday, is the subject of the newest "Biography" installment on A&E (Cox cable channel 32) ... It had its premiere Monday ... It is also available on VHS as "Paul Anka, Music Man" found at whitestarvideo.com.

In a career that has spanned more than four decades, Anka is a prime example of the adage that show and business are two separate words ... He is one of very few performers who has excelled at both aspects, show and business ... A master showman, he is an equally successful businessman.

When The Beatles led the British invasion in 1964, Anka traveled abroad and established himself as an international star, recording hits in various languages ... At the end of the 1960s, back in the United States, he wrote songs for others, including the lyrics to "My Way" for Frank Sinatra and "She's a Lady" for Tom Jones.

In 1973 his record of "Having My Baby" hit No. 1 and stirred controversy with various women's groups ... His most recent albums, "Amigos," and "A Body of Work," featured duets with top Hispanic stars on the former and major mainstream stars on the latter, including Frank Sinatra, utilizing the one-take, original Sinatra recording style.

This is a personal story about Anka that bears repeating: It was in the early 1970s. This column had been on a campaign urging that singing of "My Way" should be restricted to Sinatra and Anka ... Every type of performer, including child stars, were singing the song ... The occasion was the Celebrity Star Shine, benefitting Opportunity Village, at the Sahara.

Multitalented entertainer Nelson Sardelli had conceived this idea where celebrities would shine shoes in return for donations ... It was in the convention area and I was onstage as emcee, joined by Peter Anthony, Pete Barbutti, Carme, Sardelli and others ... A voice from the back offered to donate $1,000 if I would sing "My Way."

It was Anka, who was appearing in the Congo Room at the time ... I said I would recite the song ... Anka came onstage, stood behind me and whispered special lyrics, very funny, castigating me for trying to keep from earning a living with his composition ... When we finished, he put 10 $100 bills in the goldfish bowl.

Anka then had 100 new albums delivered, which we gave away in return for contributions to Opportunity Village ... Anka and I have been friends dating back to his personal invasion of New York City in the mid-1950s ... Similar to Sinatra, Anka is always there for a good local cause ... As it was with Sinatra, an Anka performance is a very special experience.

Weekend wrap-up

"Guys and Dolls," in the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts through Sunday, stars Maurice Hines as a believable Nathan Detroit ... Newlyweds Brian and Diane Sutherland worked well as Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown, but Alexandra Foucard's Miss Adelaide was way over the top at the show caught ... Frank Loesser's music and lyrics are worth the price alone.

Check out Pauly Shore, May 24-26, in New York-New York's Broadway Theatre, as well as "The Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean," starting next week at Greek Isles ... A memorial service for local producer Harry Seybold will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Gold Coast Showroom ... Seybold worked hard for many good local causes.

We are vacationing at home this year, starting with this column, returning the week of June 17, when we start our 36th year with the Sun ... Enjoy the respite ... See you here June 21.