Perry Como
1912-2011
Singer
Level 2 biography
Level 2 biography
Fast Facts
Perry Como was a popular singer. He charmed his audience with his gentle baritone voice. Born: May 18, 1912 in Canonsburg, PA
Died: May 12, 2001 in Jupiter Beach, FL
Given name: Pierino Ronald Como
Wife: Roselle Belline Como
Children: Ronald, David, Therese
Perry Como was a popular singer. He charmed his audience with his gentle baritone voice. Born: May 18, 1912 in Canonsburg, PA
Died: May 12, 2001 in Jupiter Beach, FL
Given name: Pierino Ronald Como
Wife: Roselle Belline Como
Children: Ronald, David, Therese
Early Life
Perry Como was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on May 18, 1912. His parents named him Pierino Ronald Como. His father and mother had come to the United States from Palena, Italy. His father worked in a mill. His name was Pietro Como. His mother was named Lucia Travaglini Como. Perry was the seventh of thirteen children. At the age of 10 Perry started working in a barbershop after school. He quickly learned how to cut hair. By the time he was 14 he owned his own barbershop. He had two other barbers working for him. Perry was still going to high school during the day. He worked as a barber after school and in the evenings. He could read music, and played the organ and the baritone horn. He was the Sousaphone player for the town marching band.
Perry liked the style of a young singer named Bing Crosby. He began singing for his customers while he shaved them and gave them haircuts. On weekends he would earn some extra money singing for groups like the Sons of Italy.
Career
In 1933 Perry tried out with Freddie Carlone’s Dance Band, and was offered a job as a singer. He thought of saying no, because he was making more money cutting hair. He decided to try singing as a job. He worked with Freddy Carlone for 5 years. The well-known bandleader Ted Weems noticed him in 1938, and offered a job. Perry sang with the Ted Weems band for 6 years, until Ted Weems went into the armed forces to fight in World War II.
At this time Perry again considered going back to being a barber. An agent convinced him to keep trying. In 1943 he signed a contract with RCA Records to make a recording. His first single (a record with one song on it) was called “Goodbye Sue.” He sang on a 15-minute radio show called “The Chesterfield Supper Club” each night in New York. This lasted from 1944 to 1948, when the show moved to television.
By 1946, the three most popular singers in the United States were Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Perry Como. Perry was given nicknames like “Mr. Nice Guy” and “Mr. Class.”
In 1948, Perry Como moved to television. He hosted a show called “The Chesterfield Supper Club,” which was the program that he had done on the radio. He starred in “The Perry Como Show” from 1950 to 1955 on CBS, and from 1955 to 1959 on NBC. After that, he worked for NBC until 1963 on “The Kraft Music Hall.” These last two shows were called variety shows, which meant that they had singing, dancing, and skits. People could see Perry’s pleasant personality on these shows.
Perry was in a few movies in the 1940’s, but they were not very good. His recordings and his radio and television shows were much more popular.In 1963 Perry Como retired from doing a weekly show, and chose to do television specials and sing in concerts around the world.Perry Como’s first Christmas Special was shown on television in 1948. He had a Christmas Special every year after that until 1987.
A cardigan sweater became Perry’s trademark clothing, and the song “Dream Along with Me” became his theme song. He had a pleasant baritone voice and a relaxed performing style. Bing Crosby called him “The man who invented casual.”
Song Titles
Perry Como sang hundreds of popular songs. Here is a list of some of the songs he sang.
Goodbye Sue I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Till The End of Time When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Because Dream Along With Me
Catch a Falling Star Papa Loves Mambo
Magic Moments For the Good Times
It’s Impossible Hot Diggety Dog Ziggity Boom Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes
Awards and Achievements
Perry Como sold more than 100 million records. He made 36 albums and 160 singles. 27 of his records sold enough copies to be called Gold Records. Perry Como won the Grammy Award in 1958 for Best Male Vocalist for “Catch a Falling Star” He won five Academy Awards: Best Male Singer in 1954 and 1955, Best Emcee in 1955, Best Male Personality in 1956, and Best Actor in a Variety Show in 1959. A Christopher Award was given to Perry, and he was voted Variety Club’s Personality of the Year. The singer was involved with various charities. He sponsored the annual Golf Benefit at Duke University in North Carolina.
Later Life
In his later years, Perry and his wife Roselle lived near Palm Beach, Florida.
Roselle Como, Perry’s wife, died in 1998. Perry Como died in his sleep on May 12, 2001 in Jupiter Beach, Florida.
Reading Level 8.3
Perry Como was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on May 18, 1912. His parents named him Pierino Ronald Como. His father and mother had come to the United States from Palena, Italy. His father worked in a mill. His name was Pietro Como. His mother was named Lucia Travaglini Como. Perry was the seventh of thirteen children. At the age of 10 Perry started working in a barbershop after school. He quickly learned how to cut hair. By the time he was 14 he owned his own barbershop. He had two other barbers working for him. Perry was still going to high school during the day. He worked as a barber after school and in the evenings. He could read music, and played the organ and the baritone horn. He was the Sousaphone player for the town marching band.
Perry liked the style of a young singer named Bing Crosby. He began singing for his customers while he shaved them and gave them haircuts. On weekends he would earn some extra money singing for groups like the Sons of Italy.
Career
In 1933 Perry tried out with Freddie Carlone’s Dance Band, and was offered a job as a singer. He thought of saying no, because he was making more money cutting hair. He decided to try singing as a job. He worked with Freddy Carlone for 5 years. The well-known bandleader Ted Weems noticed him in 1938, and offered a job. Perry sang with the Ted Weems band for 6 years, until Ted Weems went into the armed forces to fight in World War II.
At this time Perry again considered going back to being a barber. An agent convinced him to keep trying. In 1943 he signed a contract with RCA Records to make a recording. His first single (a record with one song on it) was called “Goodbye Sue.” He sang on a 15-minute radio show called “The Chesterfield Supper Club” each night in New York. This lasted from 1944 to 1948, when the show moved to television.
By 1946, the three most popular singers in the United States were Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Perry Como. Perry was given nicknames like “Mr. Nice Guy” and “Mr. Class.”
In 1948, Perry Como moved to television. He hosted a show called “The Chesterfield Supper Club,” which was the program that he had done on the radio. He starred in “The Perry Como Show” from 1950 to 1955 on CBS, and from 1955 to 1959 on NBC. After that, he worked for NBC until 1963 on “The Kraft Music Hall.” These last two shows were called variety shows, which meant that they had singing, dancing, and skits. People could see Perry’s pleasant personality on these shows.
Perry was in a few movies in the 1940’s, but they were not very good. His recordings and his radio and television shows were much more popular.In 1963 Perry Como retired from doing a weekly show, and chose to do television specials and sing in concerts around the world.Perry Como’s first Christmas Special was shown on television in 1948. He had a Christmas Special every year after that until 1987.
A cardigan sweater became Perry’s trademark clothing, and the song “Dream Along with Me” became his theme song. He had a pleasant baritone voice and a relaxed performing style. Bing Crosby called him “The man who invented casual.”
Song Titles
Perry Como sang hundreds of popular songs. Here is a list of some of the songs he sang.
Goodbye Sue I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Till The End of Time When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Because Dream Along With Me
Catch a Falling Star Papa Loves Mambo
Magic Moments For the Good Times
It’s Impossible Hot Diggety Dog Ziggity Boom Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes
Awards and Achievements
Perry Como sold more than 100 million records. He made 36 albums and 160 singles. 27 of his records sold enough copies to be called Gold Records. Perry Como won the Grammy Award in 1958 for Best Male Vocalist for “Catch a Falling Star” He won five Academy Awards: Best Male Singer in 1954 and 1955, Best Emcee in 1955, Best Male Personality in 1956, and Best Actor in a Variety Show in 1959. A Christopher Award was given to Perry, and he was voted Variety Club’s Personality of the Year. The singer was involved with various charities. He sponsored the annual Golf Benefit at Duke University in North Carolina.
Later Life
In his later years, Perry and his wife Roselle lived near Palm Beach, Florida.
Roselle Como, Perry’s wife, died in 1998. Perry Como died in his sleep on May 12, 2001 in Jupiter Beach, Florida.
Reading Level 8.3
