Paul Anka: Music Man - The Authorized Biography (2001)

This authorized biography of one of music’s most extraordinary talents traces Paul Anka’s early beginnings as a teen idol singer to becoming a sought-after songwriter and performer. Paul Anka gained popularity for his hit records, which include Diana, Lonely Boy, Puppy Love, Put Your Head On My Shoulder, and for writing pop hits such as She’s A Lady, as well as legendary anthems including My Way. Today, part of Paul Anka’s legacy is his place on the Billboard Top 25 list of artists with the most charted Top 40 singles in history, where he’s keeping company with fellow music legends like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson and Madonna. In 1998, he became the only artist in history to have a hit in five consecutive decades as the single My Hometown hit the Top 10. Featuring rare film clips and interviews with his friends and colleagues, Paul Anka: Music Man is the remarkable story of one of the all-time greatest singer/songwriters whose talent and music have stood the test of time.

"The Simpsons" Never Come Up

This has the format of many musician's documentaries. It starts at the artist's beginnings, it explains why they are famous, and it has friends praising the artist, and as always, it's very gushy. Still, I learned that Paul Anka was a person who had success after being a teen idol. He wrote Frank Sinatra's "My Way." He's been in show business longer than a whole bunch of people.

Like Sidney Poitier and Malcolm X, Paul Anka has a huge number of daughters and no sons. One would think plastic surgery is for younger celebrities. However, like Patti LaBelle, Anka had a nose job. Like Margaret Cho and many others, he was ordered to loose weight.

Like Casey Kasem and Ralph Nader, Paul Anka is of Middle Eastern ancestry. This never comes up in the work. He has a heritage that is uncommon among celebrities in the West, yet he doesn't "represent for his peeps." This omission may have come from the Canadian television company that produced this work. Still, post-911 and during the Iraqi War, it's been very important for many Arabs to say, "I am Arab and I support peace and I don't want to be stereotyped." However, he never does any of that important, political work. Even on "The Simpsons," they painted him darker than Lisa Simpson or most other Springfield residents.

Speaking of "The Simpsons," that show has always been successful, but they don't mention his guest appearance, yet they spend a lot of time talking about his role in the Kevin Costner flop "3,000 Miles from Graceland." This work was very un-diverse in its list of interviewees.

I think people who liked Kevin Spacey's movie on Bobby Darin would like this documentary. It may make many viewers nostalgic. June 27, 2007

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