Paul Anka is one of those artists whose career got way bigger than the teen-idol label people first put on him. He broke out in the late 1950s with huge hits like “Diana,” then kept evolving into a singer, songwriter, businessman, and longtime live performer whose impact stretched far beyond his first wave of fame.
Born in Ottawa, Ontario in 1941, Anka was writing songs and chasing singing contests as a teenager before “Diana” turned him into an international star in 1957. From there, he stacked up major early hits like “Lonely Boy,” “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” and “Puppy Love,” then successfully moved into a more adult lane with Vegas performances, television work, film roles, and major songwriting credits that included “My Way,” “She’s a Lady,” and the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
