Paul Anka Heading to The Smith Center, Today

The Smith Center will welcome Paul Anka to Reynolds Hall this fall. Very few performing artists have made as great an impact on popular culture as Anka, who will perform his greatest hits accompanied by his backing band in Reynolds Hall on Friday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

The Canadian-born singer and songwriter Paul Anka has been minting musical hits since 1957's "Diana." Taking the viewpoint of an ardent teenage boy seeking to become Diana's sweetheart, the plaintive pop song hit Number 1 in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia. Anka followed with successes like "Lonely Boy," "Puppy Love" and 1959's crooning "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" - with its drawn-out "baby" refrain - is one of the most memorable songs in modern entertainment.

As the '60s ensued, Anka continued to record albums and release singles, but increasingly wrote songs for movies and other performers. Among his notable works, he penned one of Tom Jones' marquee songs, "She's a Lady," as well as the English lyrics to Frank Sinatra's signature belter, "My Way" (the original song is in French.) He also composed a gold standard in the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Years later he co-wrote "This is It," Michael Jackson's posthumous smash hit.

Anka has remained a vital recording artist for seven consecutive decades across a range of styles. He sang the indelible "Times of Your Life" jingle for Kodak cameras in the '70s, which later became a successful radio single. In the '80s he had a hit duet with Peter Cetera, "Hold Me 'Til the Morning Comes." In the '90s he recorded with musical greats like Barry Gibb and Kenny G. In the '00s Anka branched out into covering bands like R.E.M., Oasis, Van Halen and Nirvana. He's even covered "Mr. Brightside" by Las Vegas hometown heroes, the Killers. And 2013's Duets pairs Anka with Willie Nelson and Chris Botti - both alumni of The Smith Center - as well as Celine Dion, Michael Bublé and Dolly Parton.

Tickets start at $29, including main floor seating, and go on sale Friday, May 15 at 10 a.m. at The Smith Center Box Office, located at 361 Symphony Park Avenue, by phone at 702-749-2000 or 808-326-6868 (TTY) and online at www.TheSmithCenter.com. For preferred seating and special rates for groups of 10 or more, contact 702-749-2348.

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