At the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, legendary singer Paul Anka pays homage to a fellow legend when he sings the songbook of Frank Sinatra on March 5th.
By John Lavitt
Beverly Hills, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/15/22 – Is there anything better to experience than one legend paying tribute to another by dedicating a concert to their work and songs? Since Frank Sinatra’s death almost a quarter of a century ago in 1998, the world has longed to hear the magic of Old Blue Eyes croon his classic ballads. On Saturday, March 5th, 2022, Paul Anka revives a touch of that old magic by singing the songbook of Frank Sinatra. Indeed, with tickets still available for the show at the Saban Theatre, this is a show that should not be missed. The performance will include the grandest musical traditions of Hollywood and Las Vegas. With Paul Anka in his eightieth year on this planet, how many more chances will you get to experience such a legend alive and kicking?
According to Paul Anka, the Anka Sings Sinatra tour honors a great artist who “influenced me more than anyone else throughout my career, Frank Sinatra. (I am also excited to have a new album coming out this summer, ‘Making Memories’!) This show will also feature the hits that have spanned my career on this 65th anniversary year. It will be a night filled with his songs, my songs, my way!”
Starting in the late 1950s, Paul Anka had a bevy of hit songs. These classic tunes dominated the airwaves “Diana,” “Lonely Boy,” “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” and “(You’re) Having My Baby” dominated the airwaves for years and became part of the lexicon of music. Anka also wrote the theme song for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. As a Canadian, Paul Anka embraced America, becoming one of this country’s favorite performers. On September 6th, 1990, Anka embraced his destiny, becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States.
However, Canada never let go of Paul Anka. In 1972, a street in Ottawa was named Paul Anka Drive. In 1981, August 26th was designated as “Paul Anka Day” by the Ottawa City Council to celebrate his quarter-century in show business. After being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1980, Anka was later made an Officer of the Order of Canada in October 2004. He also was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2005. In other words, Canada forgave a favored son for becoming an American. Indeed, they celebrate his Canadian birthright to this day.
However, most people do not know how intricately connected Paul Anka is to Frank Sinatra. Although never a member of the Rat Pack, Anka wrote the English lyrics to Claude François and Jacques Revaux’s music for Frank Sinatra’s signature song “My Way”. Indeed, if it weren’t for Paul Anka, this legendary song would never have come to life, defining Old Blue Eyes’ vibe and later career. Promoted by Where Music Meets The Soul, Paul Anka singing the best of Frank Sinatra at the Saban Theatre on March 5th makes perfect sense. Going perfectly with the Los Angeles vibe of legends paying tribute to each other, there is no doubt that it will be a night to remember.
