Song:Catch A Falling Star
Album:The Very Best Of Perry Como
Perry Como was one of the biggest stars of the 50s mostly through his long running TV variety show. His easygoing style suited TV very well. Catch A Falling Star was one of his biggest hits in 1958 and his final number one hit during Como's prime in the 50s. He was born May 18, 1912 in Canonsburg, PA the seventh of thirteen children of Italian immigrants. His father sang so he made sure all the kids took music lessons. As a teen, Como played the trombone and organ and was set on a career as a barber. He would sing in the barber shop and many customers thought he should try a career as a singer. Eventually he went on the road with Freddy Carlone and then Ted Weems. It was with Weems that Como developed his Bing Crosby influenced singing style. He recorded with Weems and also appeared on the NBC radio show Beat The Band. Como got tired of touring and left the Weems band in 1943. He was ready to return to the barber shop when he was offered a CBS radio show and an RCA recording contract. He and his family would live in New York City but he wouldn't have to travel. He also signed a film contract at 20th Century Fox. Along with Crosby and Frank Sinatra, Como was one of the most popular crooners of the 40s. But what really made Como a star was TV. He first started hosting TV shows in 1948 and he signed with CBS to host The Perry Como Chesterfield Show in 1950. Chesterfield Cigarettes was a longtime Como sponsor. The show was a huge success and Como had some hit singles with novelty songs like Hot Diggity. He hated those songs. In 1955 he moved to NBC to host The Perry Como Show. The show was very successful and Como continued to record hit singles. Catch A Falling Star was his final number one hit in 1958. It was the very first hit written by the veteran songwriting team of Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. Though Como's recording career faded, he continued to host TV shows in the 60s. After a fall from a stage in 1971, Como slowed down considerably. But he remained with RCA Records for over 50 years and continued to perform until his death on May 12, 2001 at age 88. This budget comp is a good intro to his music. Here's Perry Como performing Magic Moments and Catch A Falling Star on the BBC.
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