Perry Como was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and worked as a barber before he embarked on a career in show business in the 1930s.
His first major singing job was with The Ted Weems Band in the late 1930s.
In the six years he performed with the Weems band, Como made many hit recordings, including the bestselling Temptation and Blue Moon.
His success led to a radio show on which he co-starred with singer Jo Stafford, The Chesterfield Supper Club in the 1940s, and then the Perry Como Show, which aired between 1953 and 1955.
Perry’s smooth and easy-going singing style and his dark good looks won him a contract to appear in MGM films, and he was featured in Something For The Boys (1944), Doll Face (1945), If I’m Lucky (1946), and Words and Music (1948).
Perry – or “Mr C” as he was affectionately called – had his own television show on the air as early as 1948.
For over 16 years his show was the most popular musical/variety series on US television and made Como a major star. During that time, he also made numerous recordings that went to #1 on the hit parade, including Catch A Falling Star and It’s Impossible.
Into the late 1990s, Como continued to make personal appearances in sold-out concerts throughout the United States.
Perry Como died in his sleep on 12 May 2001, at his home in Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida – six days before his 89th birthday. He was reported to have suffered from symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease during the final two years of his life.
