Perry Como

Pierino Ronald Como (May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001), known professionally as Perry Como, was an American singer who became best known for his “easy listening” type of music. Never featuring brash instrumentals, Como employed his soothing voice overlaying warm and romantic melodies.

His career spanned over half a century and throughout this time, managed to acquire three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for radio, recording, and television. He received five Emmy awards and was posthumously inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. Additionally, Como was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award–an award rewarded to “performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording”. His legacy is one hard to rival.

When Como was alive he released thirty-eight studio albums, along with copious amounts of other albums and re-releases. Much of his music was covers of songs by other artists, such as his popular “Killing Me Softly With Her Song”, a cover of Lori Lieberman’s song. His first album was released in 1951 and was Christmas-themed: Perry Como Sings Merry Christmas Music. This was released under RCA Victor on a 10" record. His next seven albums. released throughout 1952–1954, were also released in this format and featured similar themes, including Hits from Broadway Shows and I Believe.

In 1955, Como released So Smooth. This was his first album released on RCA Victor 12", the format which he would use the most over the rest of his career. Between 1956 and 1974, he swapped between the aforementioned format and RCA Camden 12", an alternative format.

On RCA Victor 12", he released twenty-nine albums before releasing 1987’s Today, his last album. He was active in other ventures until 1997. He died on May 12, 2001. Many public figures gave their regards and Billboard magazine summed his life up with:

50 years of music and a life well lived. An example to all.