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Perry Como: A Biography and Complete Career Record
Perry Como put aside his career as a barber to become one of the top American crooners of the 20th century and also one of the first multimedia stars. His record sales exceeded 100 million. In 1948, Como was the first popular singer to cross over to television and The Perry Como Show became the benchmark for a broadcast music and variety show. Como's career illuminates developments in the music and television business in the middle of the last century. This biography features 73 photographs, a complete discography, a listing of all television appearances, and a year by year chronology of Perry Como's life from 1912 to 2001.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2009
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 24, 2022
Why does one take the time and trouble to read about a dead singer from the 30's through the 90's? First of all, I have just moved to one of his old haunts and was reminded that I was curious. I always liked listening to and watching his performances. I admired how he weathered the music storms of Elvis, the Beatles, soul music and so on. He had a calming effect during turbulent times. From this book, I learned a little more about his personality: always polite, willing to help others, avuncular, true to his family and friends... This I expected.
I was a little surprised that, barring a better explanation as to why, he could pull down an "ice curtain" between himself and old colleagues, who might say or do something not to his liking and he would cut you off as if you were dead to him. I have experienced this kind of odd behavior by Italians. Greeks, Jews, as well as my own relatives and close friends who did not like my opinions of Trump for example, or felt left behind somehow. Shutting you down is their private nuclear device. It's a little cowardly, but understandable, if the person wants to hurt you, but does not have the power or the will to confront you with what's eating him or her and is unwilling to want to compromise their own view. Macfarlane reports this accurately enough but does not delve into the possible reasons as to why.
Como worked steadfastly until the very end. He was a dedicated craftsman--my most admired type of artist, like Mozart, Brahms, or Van Gogh, creating and perfecting until the very end.
He was accessible to his admirers and to his contemporaries in show business; but home was home to him and he never compromised his privacy.
He did a lot of charitable work, especially around Port Washington, NY. Also, he helped make for all of us Christmas Christmas after WWII and stuck to it for the rest of his career.
In all: an admirable human being who was a humble servant of mankind. A good book if you are interested in Perry Como. A person who spent his life making us happy.
I was a little surprised that, barring a better explanation as to why, he could pull down an "ice curtain" between himself and old colleagues, who might say or do something not to his liking and he would cut you off as if you were dead to him. I have experienced this kind of odd behavior by Italians. Greeks, Jews, as well as my own relatives and close friends who did not like my opinions of Trump for example, or felt left behind somehow. Shutting you down is their private nuclear device. It's a little cowardly, but understandable, if the person wants to hurt you, but does not have the power or the will to confront you with what's eating him or her and is unwilling to want to compromise their own view. Macfarlane reports this accurately enough but does not delve into the possible reasons as to why.
Como worked steadfastly until the very end. He was a dedicated craftsman--my most admired type of artist, like Mozart, Brahms, or Van Gogh, creating and perfecting until the very end.
He was accessible to his admirers and to his contemporaries in show business; but home was home to him and he never compromised his privacy.
He did a lot of charitable work, especially around Port Washington, NY. Also, he helped make for all of us Christmas Christmas after WWII and stuck to it for the rest of his career.
In all: an admirable human being who was a humble servant of mankind. A good book if you are interested in Perry Como. A person who spent his life making us happy.
Displaying 1 of 1 review