Perry Como
One of the most popular vocalists between the end of World War II and the rise of rock & roll in the mid-'50s, Perry Como perfected the post-big band approach to pop music by lending his own irresistible laidback singing -- influenced by Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo -- to the popular hits of the day on radio, TV, and LP. Both his early traditional crooning style plus his later relaxed manner and focus on novelty material were heavily indebted to Bing Crosby, though Como's appeal during the early '50s was virtually unrivalled. Born in 1912 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Como was working as a singing barber in his hometown when he began touring with local bandleader Freddie Carlone at the age of 21. By the mid-'30s, he got his big break with Ted Weems & His Orchestra, who headed a popular radio show named Beat the Band. After the orchestra broke up in 1942, Como hosted a regional CBS radio show later called Supper Club. The show's success gained him a contract with RCA Victor Records by 1943, and he also began working in Hollywood with Something for the Boys.
Perry Como's real big break came with the 1945 film A Song to Remember. His rendition of "Till the End of Time" spent ten weeks at the top of the charts and became the biggest hit of the year. Como's dreamy baritone worked especially well on ballads, such as the additional 1945-47 number one hits "Prisoner of Love," "Surrender" and "Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep)." Hired by NBC for another radio show in 1948, Como crossed over to the emerging medium of television that same year with the Chesterfield Supper Club. The show quickly took off, and eventually earned him four Emmy Awards. In the mid-'50s, Como began to indulge in light novelty fare, the titles often comprising nonsense words -- "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Doo," "Hoop-Dee-Doo," "Pa-Paya Mama" and "Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)." Though he often disliked the songs, they frequently became huge hits and made his reputation as one of the singers who defined the style of music later known as middle-of-the-road pop.
Como's breezy songs had worked well at the beginning of the decade, but his appeal began to wane towards the end of the 1950s, with the emergence of rock & roll and the wave of teen idols. His last number one hit, "Catch a Falling Star," came in 1958. Como was much less visible during the 1960s, but returned in 1970 with his first live show in over two decades, and a world tour followed; a single ("It's Impossible") even made the Top Ten in late 1970. Como continued to record LPs and occasional television specials while making scattered appearances during the 1970s and '80s. On May 12, 2001 Perry Como died in his sleep at his home in Florida.
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The Best of British
Pop - Released by RCA - Legacy on 1 Apr 1977
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dinner with Perry Como
Alternative & Indie - Released by Music Manager on 3 Jul 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Love Letters
Jazz - Released by Shami Media Group 3 on 25 Jan 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Perry Como Rocks! (Somewhat.....Kind Of..Um...) (Remastered)
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24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
20 Golden Hits
Jazz - Released by Blue Pie Records USA on 1 Jan 1974
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
20 Greatest Hits
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Jazz Classics on 22 Feb 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Till The End Of Time
Jazz - Released by Jazz Masters on 2 Jun 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Merry Christmas with Perry Como
Christmas Music - Released by Tam-Tam Media on 21 Nov 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Best Of Perry Como (Remastered)
Pop - Released by CroonCo on 25 Jul 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Definitive Perry Como Collection
Pop - Released by Bofm Ltd on 1 Jan 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Magic Moments
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Performance on 1 Jan 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Christmas Music - Released by Intermusic S.A. on 18 Sep 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Silent Night, Holy Night
Billy Vaughn And His Orchestra, Mitch Miller, The Gang, Julie London, Mahalia Jackson, Perry Como
Pop - Released by Oldies But Goldies on 1 Oct 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Perry Como Christmas Hits Medley 1: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas / The Christmas Song / Jingle Bells / White Christmas / I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus / Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town / Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
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16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sing to Me Mr. C
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16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Crooners - Released by RCA Records Label on 16 Apr 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo