Perry Como

Born on May 18th 1912 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Pierino Ronald Como was destined to be lucky, he was the seventh of thirteen children, his father, Pietro was also a seventh son.

While he was growing up young Perry worked at the local barbershop after school. He soon picked up the skills of a barber and by the time he reached high school he was running his own barbershop in the afternoons. Perry also had a keen interest in music; he could play the baritone horn and the organ as well as sing and read music. Weekends were spent playing at local weddings and parties and in 1933 he began appearing as a vocalist with Freddie Carlone's band. It was a memorable year for the young Como as he also married his high school sweetheart Roselle Belline. The couple had three children and remained happily married for sixty-five years.

After five years of singing with Carlone, Como was thinking of returning to his home town and resuming his hairdressing career, fate intervened and he started singing with the popular Ted Weems Orchestra. By the early 40's Como was gaining popularity, then the Weems orchestra folded and the barbers sheers beckoned once more.

Persuaded by his agent to keep trying he landed a contract with RCA Records and he released his first single "Goodbye Sue" in 1943. More records followed including, "When You Were Sweet Sixteen", "Papa Loves Mambo". "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes" and "It's Impossible" He was now reaping the rewards his talent deserved and was on the same level as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

Although he appeared in several movies it was clear that the big screen wasn't the perfect outlet for Como's easy going, laid back style. But in 1948 he made the move to television and "The Perry Como Show" appeared on the small screen until 1963 winning several Emmy Awards during it's 15 year run.

The fabulous Perry Como continued to record and perform until the 1980's, he passed away on May 12th 2001 at the age of 88.