Paul Anka joins symphony for final Pops concert

Best known for chart-toppers “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” “Puppy Love” and “(You’re) Having My Baby,” Paul Anka is one of only a few artists in history to have a record on Billboard’s Top 50 charts for five consecutive decades. With well over 900 songs to his credit, he has been named among the most successful artist in Billboard’s history, including greats Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and collaborated with superstars such as Ricky Martin, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra.

Anka will join The Nashville Symphony for the final Pops concert of its 2001/2002 season May 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. at TPAC’s Jackson Hall.

“Paul Anka’s contributions to the entertainment industry have been tremendous. From the stage and the silver screen to television and radio, he’s done it all. I remember the first time I saw him on American Bandstand. He is an incredibly versatile and talented artist,” says Alan Valentine, executive director of the Nashville Symphony.

The Canadian first took the music world by storm in the 1950s when, by age 18, he had five Top 20 hits to his name. He maintained a household name throughout the 60s and 70s with such classics as “A Steel Guitar and a Glass of Wine,” I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone” and “One-Man Woman.” Anka also first made his mark on television during this time with his now famous theme song to “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” which has been performed more than 1.4 million times.

Many other television programs and films bear the hallmark of Anka’s unmistakable musical signature. In addition to writing the theme music for the 1962 war epic “The Longest Day,” for which he was nominated for an Academy Award, Anka has contributed to the scores for more recent films, including “No Way Out,” staring Kevin Cosner, and “3000 Miles to Graceland,” staring Kurt Russell and Christian Slater.

Anka has also enjoyed tremendous success as a songwriter and producer for other artists. In fact, the list of performers recording Anka’s songs is an honor roll of some of the most talented artists of all time: Sinatra, Presley, Barbra Streisand, Buddy Holly and the Doobie Brothers, among others.

Both Friday and Saturday’s performances will begin at 8 p.m. at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. Tickets are $20 to $60 and can be ordered by calling 615-255-ARTS.