Debbie & Elizabeth at the Movies
The World Premiere of one of the world’s most prolific and successful singer-songwriters who started singing at age twelve, in a candid and celebratory look at his life and career.
There’s so much we learn by watching this documentary, which is the point of documentaries and why we love them so much.
Many people aren’t aware that Anka started off as a teen idol and was able to retain his success (especially when “The Beatles” and “The Rolling Stones” came along) by his ability to write songs for others. One very talented and resourceful guy.
Some of those others include Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, Michael Jackson, Céline Dion, and, later, even Toronto’s own Drake. He wrote “My Way for Sinatra. He even composed the theme song for the “Tonight Show “ starring Johnny Carson in 1962. He split the proceeds from earnings of that song with Carson fifty/fifty. Anka said that the money he made from that alone gave his kids an education and put them through school.
To date, the Ottawa-born Anka, has recorded 125 albums–including songs in Japanese, German, Spanish, French, and Italian–and sold more than 15 million worldwide.
Here’s some fascinating trivia :
I had no idea that Jason Bateman (who narrates some of the documentary) married his daughter Amanda, in 2001. Now his son-in-law.
He discovered Michael Bublé, Corey Hart and David Clayton Thomas (Blood, Sweat & Tears).
He wrote “Diana”- a love song for the 18-year old babysitter of his younger brother and sister. The song became America’s top song in September 1957.
He wrote “Lonely Boy” for his mother, who died of diabetes.
Wrote the 1960 song “Puppy Love” about his romance with Annette Funicello. In 1972 the song became a huge hit for Donny Osmond.
“My Way” is tagged as the “Killer Song” in the Philippines. It’s the top pick of drinking buddies in karaoke/videoke bars and when sung off-key, the singer is usually roughed up (or sometimes shot or stabbed; sometimes killed – hence the description) by other drunks in the bar. WOW! I was in the Philippines but luckily I never went to a karaoke bar when there. I did, however, sing “My Way” with a guy I met in a karaoke bar in Kyoto, Japan; where they’re much more civil. They clapped even though I’m pretty sure we sang it terribly.
Anka was a former co-owner of NHL’s Ottawa Senators.
Oh; there’s so much richness about him. I only touched the surface. I’ll leave you with one last little teeny weeny bit of trivia.
I met Paul Anka years ago (obviously, from the photo) in Vancouver where he was taping a variety show with CBC and I went backstage (as I often did through connections) and met him. I knew his cousin who lived in Montreal and we were neighbours. When backstage I was introduced to David Clayton Thomas (Anka’s discovery and guest star with an amazing voice), who invited me to accompany him to the private wrap party at a very nice restaurant. Once there and seated, Anka handed us all sheet music with the lyrics to “My Way” and “New York, New York.” He proceeded to play piano and sang both songs (which were very famous even then), and wanted us all to sing along with him. It was an awesome evening – food, company and all. I’ll never forget it. Anka did come over to me and mention that he had planned to introduce DCT to a woman he invited along who worked on the show (infact, he pointed her out to me; she was sitting at another table)…but now that I was there, that wouldn’t happen. I didn’t get the sense he was upset though – which was a good thing. He seemed like a gentleman and genuinely wanted us all to have a good time. We did.
“HIS WAY” will show long- time fans and newcomers alike just how far-reaching this artist’s words have been throughout the years. Elizabeth and I liked this documentary a lot.
Paul Anka; still going strong. Such a force!
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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