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William Dougherty, an old bachelor, died at the home of his slater, Mrs. Charles Loronz, in this place, at 4.30 a. m. Saturday, March 8, 1902. It was among many songs including "Prisoner of Love" that topped the charts. President Pertini enjoyed their performance enough to join them in singing "Santa Lucia". Gibbens Gary "Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams" published by Little, Brown, sfn error: no target: CITEREFMacfarlane2008 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFGrudens1986 (, Perry Como in Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, "Special Perry Como RCA Victor 10th Anniversary section", "Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for Perry Como", "Christmas, family and faith still important to Perry Como", "Perry Como, An Early Biography-RCA Records-Perry Como at Home", "Love of Music, Gimmicks, Keep Lee Barrett In Swing at 68", "Perry Como, Relaxed and Elegant Troubadour of Recordings and TV, Dies at 88", "Perry Como Turns Down $250,000 A Year To Relax", "Chairman of the Leisure Board's Fine: Pop music: After 59 years in the business, Perry Como isn't about to retire. Remarkably enough, Perry Como remained with the same woman throughout his entire life a refreshing take during a time when some respected musicians were, well, terrible people. Entdecke RCA VICTOR DJ-619 PROMO Perry Como 78 U/min N'Yot N'Yow/Roses of Picardie in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! From his many siblings, Como was the first to be born in America. #inline-recirc-item--id-9d226fc8-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { Some music experts say Como, with his naturally melodic baritone voice, might have carved a deeper niche if he had taken firmer control of his material. By Amanda RiddleMMI The Associated Press. Como himself took part in none of this; his production company, Roncom, named for son Ronald Como, handled the transaction along with all other Como business matters. And honest She has been my anchor.". Apparently realizing it was the best move for Como, Carlone selflessly urged him to sign with Weems. Wiki User. [111][112][53], A Hollywood press agent sought to alter Como's life story by changing his previous occupation from barber to coal miner, claiming it would make for better press. He was 87. Born in 1912 and growing up in small-town Pennsylvania, Perry Como was the seventh child of Pietro and Lucia Como's 13 children, with the couple having immigrated from Italy (via theAmerican Music Research Center). It turns out, the post-World War II-era singer's lighthearted and easygoing tunes were just as enjoyable as his personality. As Perry writes, by the time he was ready to cut hair, he passed his downtime at the shop by singing and playing the guitar. Only occasionally. He managed to save some time by asking his music publisher, Mickey Glass, to wait in line for him at the confessional. [73] This mid-air performance caused the American Federation of Musicians to consider this a new type of engagement and issue a special set of rates for it. "The Como" closed in 2002, but it remains a household name in The Liberties. Built in 1937, the Colonial features six . [203] His preference for casual clothing did not keep him from being named one of the Best Dressed Men beginning in 1946, and continuing long after Como stopped appearing on weekly television. "When you make your wedding vows as a commitment to each other and to God, you will keep them," she explained. "He was just Dad," Como's daughter, Terri Thibadeau, told those in attendance before poignantly adding, "We were taught that life in and of itself was an expression of love. Goosebumps. Como had so much work after moving to the coffee house, he had to hire two barbers to help with it. Kung Fu Panda 3. Practicing on his father, he mastered the skills well enough to have his own shop at age 14. 1999. "[230] Composer Ervin Drake said of him, "[o]ccasionally someone like Perry comes along and won't 'go with the flow' and still prevails in spite of all the bankrupt others who surround him and importune him to yield to their values. He was 88. display: none; He . Como had suffered from Alzheimer's. He had named Ronald Como . [66] On December 11, 1944, he moved from CBS to NBC for a new radio program, Chesterfield Supper Club. The Essential Perry Como. When it came Como's turn to sing, he chose "More Than You Know", with his eyes on Roselle for the entire song. Andrew Cuomo, the 56th governor of New York, is the son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and brother of news anchor Chris Cuomo. Belline wasn't having any of it and urged her husband to keep pushing forward. [85] Perry returned to the United Kingdom in November for a Royal Variety Performance to benefit the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund with the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in attendance. [12][211][245], In 2007, the local McDonald's was rebuilt. "Frank [Sinatra] admits it too. If it weren't for Bing neither Frank nor I would be here.". He made a brief foray into wartime movie musicals in Hollywood, but decided to pursue a career in radio. Some sources listed Como's age as 88; others said he was 87. [74], From 1989 until his death in 2001, Como co-hosted a weekly syndicated radio show with John Knox called Weekend With Perry. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. Roselle died suddenly of a heart attack just two weeks after the couple's 65th anniversary. According to the document, obtained by TMZ, a service for Perry was held at The Alpha Society funeral . Storer then arranged for Como's release from his CBS contract. At first, the invitation did not extend to his associates traveling and working with him, and Como politely declined. So, what happened? [67][68][69], The April 5, 1946, broadcasts of the Chesterfield Supper Club took place 20,000 feet in the air; these were the first known instances of a complete radio show being presented from an airplane. His publicist said Perry died surrounded by his family and friends. Some highlights of the program, which was seen in the US on December 12, 1962, included Como's shaving a serviceman with a Castro-like beard and the enthusiastic participation when Perry asked for volunteers to come on stage to do the Twist with the lovely ladies who were part of the visiting dance troupe. [130] The year before, he had been asked to be the master of ceremonies and narrator of the NBC Radio 35th anniversary special. What was Perry Como worth when he died? 4 hit with Perry Como's "Magic Moments"; less memorably, Bacharach reached No. May 12, 2001 / 11:20 PM / AP. The Complete RCA Christmas Collection. [22] In a rare 1957 interview, Como's mother, Lucia, described how her young son also took on other jobs to pay for more music lessons; Como learned to play many different instruments, but never had a voice lesson. "[115] Como asked for and received a release from the remainder of his MGM contract later the same year. Luke Perry. The Woman King. NBC had RCA design a microphone for the showthe RCA Type BK-10Awhich was known as the "Como mic"; the microphone was able to pick up Como's voice properly and was small enough not to interfere with camera shots. Photos of Como with the barbers were framed in the shop. "[111] After he began appearing regularly on television, Como was offered some film roles that interested him, but there was just never enough time to pursue any film work. [50] It was five weeks before he was actually called to the set, despite the studio's initial urgent report for work notice. Tho de ceased was born in Beechwoods in the fall of 1847, making him 54 years old last fall. The night Cary Grant died in our arms. When his studies were done, "he returned to shine shoes, heat towels, and sharpen razors." Weems told Como there was no need for him to resort to vocal tricks; what was necessary was to sing from the heart. About 80 miles from Cleveland, it was a popular stop on the itinerary for dance bands who worked up and down the Ohio Valley. } Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida; Recently Passed Away Celebrities and Famous People. He competed with Frank Sinatra and Crosby to be the era's top crooner. Best Answer. The version I'm looking for was released in 1952, here's the discogs link for it: . [35][36] Roselle returned home to Canonsburg; Como would be on the road for the next 18 months. Como was terrified, but his friends urged him and pushed him onto the stage. "[98][99] The return to live appearances also provided Como with an opportunity to have a little fun with his "Mister Nice Guy" image in a song Ray Charles and Nick Perito[100][101] his closest collaborator since 1963,[102] wrote and composed for him:[50][103][104]. His pay dropped off during the Depression when he went to work for another barber. She and Dominick. Rock 'n' roll had crowded out the crooners who once charmed hordes of screaming bobby-soxers. "[3], Como received five Emmys from 1955 to 1959,[4] and a Christopher Award in 1956. "[231], Canonsburg has always been very proud to be the birthplace of Perry Como; the local newspaper of the time, Canonsburg Daily Notes, seems to have been the first to write an article about him. Perry Como net worth: Perry Como was an American singer and television personality who had a net worth of $40 million at the time of his death.Perry Como Net Worth. After all, Como and his wife, Roselle Belline, had just begun starting a family. "I'm a bad interview because, aside from making records and my radio and television activities, not a lot has happened to me in the past fifteen years," he once told The Saturday Evening Post, quipping, "I was a barber. May 14, 2001 -- One of the last of the legendary crooners has passed away. Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. [147] A wardrobe malfunction meant that viewers were seeing more of Esther than 1950s television considered to be in good taste; more live show mishaps followed. [30][31] One of Como's regular customers at the barber shop owned a Greek coffee house that included a barber shop area, and asked Como whether he would like to take over that portion of his shop. [175] At the show's conclusion, Como apologized to his Dublin audience for a performance he felt was not up to his usual standards. Perry Como was born on May 18, 1912 and died on May 12, 2001. Unless you're a die-hard Perry Como fan, the first songs that may come to one's mind when they hear his name are probably "Papa Loves Mambo," or "Hot Diggity Dog (Ziggity Boom)," the former being popularized again in both "Back to the Future Part II" and "Oceans 11," decades after it was recorded. After multiple examinations, the singer discovered his knee was broken meaning he had to wear a cast and stop performing for eight months. [54] One week later he signed his first RCA Victor contract and three days after that cut his first record for the company, "Goodbye, Sue". He was with the company from 1943 to 1988. "The singing was a reflection of the joy that came from a happy home," he explained. Perry Como for Chesterfield, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. [219] His funeral Mass took place at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Palm Beach, Florida. 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin' (Red translucent vinyl - Marvel's hip-hop variant cover) At age 11, he went to work sweeping floors after school at a barbershop in the town just south of Pittsburgh. Prominent singer in the 1930s and '40s whose best known songs included "Don't Let the Stars get in Your Eyes" and "Catch a Falling Star," the latter of which became the first ever certified gold single on March 14, 1958. Day. He noted that while he did try to come home "late afternoon [on] most days," it was Belline who was in charge of the house. [233] Como was not present at the unveiling because of poor health. Mutual's Chicago affiliate, WGN radio, threatened to stop carrying the Weems broadcasts from Chicago's Palmer House if Weems's new singer did not improve. Perry Como's Long Island lair returns with $1M price cut. Como got them together so completely that the muscles don't even show. But, sure enough, Como had no choice, as it was those songs that made him the most money. With me, what you see is what you get." [48] As part of the festivities, Como's stool and music stand from The Perry Como Show and the equipment he used at Steve Fragapane's barber shop were donated to the borough. [12] He was the seventh of 13 children[13] and the first American-born child of Pietro Como (1877-1945) and Lucia Travaglini (1883-1961),[14][15][16] who both emigrated to the US in 1910 from the Abruzzese town of Palena, Italy. "[201][202], Bing Crosby once described Como as "the man who invented casual". [23][185][129][153][186][187], Como suffered a debilitating fall from a stage platform in 1971 while taping Perry Como's Winter Show in Hollywood. All Rights Reserved. He lived in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States in 1940 and Flower Hill . As revealed by The Saturday Evening Post, Perry entered the workforce at the age of 10, getting up bright and early at 6 a.m. every day, ready to sweep floors at a barbershop before heading to school. Roselle Como, died in August 1998, less than two weeks after she and Como celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary . As he explained in his piece for Guideposts in 1953, the boy's entry into barbershop work began with the basics: sweeping hair and polishing mirrors. Listeners. [40][54][55] As Como pondered the job offer, Roselle told him, "You can always get another barber shop if it doesn't work out! 1-3 workdays. Relaxation' is still touringand charming a new generation of fans", "Ted Weems Orchestra with Perry Como "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now", "Perry Como, With Weems Show, Gives Palace Fans 5 Encores", "Audio file-Perry Como with Ted Weems Orchestra singing "Cabin of Dreams" on the NBC, "Mr. Weems' Mr. Gibbs Comes Home, Tells All", "Perry Como's Wife Sings His Praises At 65th Wedding Anniversary", "Cool, calm singer Perry Como just missed being a barber", "Perry Como Abjured Imitation, Rose to Top on His Own Merits", "Perry Como Gets More 'Swoons' Than Anyone", "Perry Como Still Relaxed, Singing To Sold-out House", "Chopin Tune Helped Bring Fame to Perry Como", "Former Barber Perry Como Did Well In The Last 50 Years", "Teenage Girls Choose Como as 'Crooner of Year', "Perry Como Set to Croon at the Versailles", "Doing it his way paid off for famous trio", "New Supper Club Show Displaces Johnny Mercer", "Stratosphere Date For 'Club'; Jittery Cast Is Insured", "A gift to the community, A Perry Como Christmas Special", "Perry Likes to Sing; Dean Has a comedy Fling", "Como, 58 and Grey, in first Night Club Stint in 26 Years", "3 Old Pros-Tony, Vic and Perry Improve MOR's Appearance", "Perry Shatters London Audience, Also Protocol", "Hollywood stars treat the queen like 'royalty', "50 years later, Perry Como's still a big hit", "Life On The Road Brings Como This Way Again", "Perry Como in Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas", "If I Could Almost Read Your Mind Lyrics", "Perry Como and Martha Stewart sing "Hubba, Hubba, Hubba", "Edgar Bergen Took Out Insurance and Retired", "The Most Relaxing Show On Earth-Como And Crosby", "Weary Perry Como Sets Limit of 6 Shows Next Year", "The Lives They Lived-50's-Perry Como B. Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (/ k o m o /; May 18, 1912 - May 12, 2001) was an American singer, actor and television personality.During a career spanning more than half a century, he recorded exclusively for RCA Victor for 44 years, after signing with the label in 1943.. "From an outsider's perspective, it would seem like I had it all," he continued. As revealed by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Thibadeau and her brother, Ronald Como, were locked in a battle over who would provide their famous father with medical care. [176] Como filled the yearly gap for his fans with live Christmas concerts in various locations. He was a very . Perry Como died at home on May 12, 2001. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Perry Como and wife Roselle spent many summers at their home in Saluda. Admitting to the Orlando Sentinel that he was "embarrassed" to have the songs attached to his name, Como revealed, "No, I don't sing any of those songs in my show. When we're driving, for instance, and somebody cuts him off, he really lets the offender have it. He was 52. [193][78] When a remark made by Julius La Rosa about television personality Arthur Godfrey on The Perry Como Show was misconstrued, Como offered an on-air apology at the beginning of his next show, against the advice of his staff. Copy. 2012-05-21 14:22:21. Gary Giddins, the biographer of Bing Crosby, said in 2001, "He (Como) came from this whole generation of croonersCrosby and Sinatra, but he was the only one of them who figured out TV. By special permission of Pope Paul VI, Como and his crew were able to shoot segments in the Vatican gardens and other areas where cameras had never been permitted previously. [105][106] Como's voice is known for its good-natured vocal acrobatics as portrayed in his novelty songs such as "Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)", but there was another side to Como. Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall: With Perry Como, Mitchell Ayres Orchestra, The Ray Charles Singers, Mitchell Ayres. [172][173] The choir performed a Christmas hymn in Latin written by their director, Domenico Bartolucci, called "Christ Is Born", as part of their presentation. It's now available for $2.9 million. Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie. Como shaved Douglas' beard live on national television. Perry Damone. [29][135][137] It was also here where he began wearing his trademark cardigan sweaters. Heartbreakingly enough, a mere two weeks after their anniversary, Belline died of a heart attack (via theChicago Tribune). All that said, even by Como's standards of understated performances, eagle-eyed fans noticed something was wrong during a TV special in November 1972, where the performer was moving glacially. During his career, he hosted and carried out on television collection from 1948 to 1963; hosted TV specials till 1992; recorded 22 albums and 147 singles. September 14 to September 20 Frank Sinatra: Five Minutes More. Mon May 14 2001 - 01:00. At the show's end, Como sat in a chair, delightedly chatting back and forth with his equally delighted fans. [48] Como was devastated by her death. [240], Perry Como never forgot Canonsburg. In his later years, it appears that the "It's Impossible" crooner started taking control of what he wanted to sing, avoiding the "novelty" tracks. [89] When word reached the Palace regarding the reason for Perry's turning down the invitation, it was then extended to include all in the Como party and Como accepted this invitation. Update: Rick Perry was indicted on two felony counts on August 15, 2014. 1959. The hidden work makes him look like Mr. Casual, and too many people are taken in by itbut happily so. [148], On December 17, 1955, viewers were able to see first-hand what Como did for a living before he was a professional singer. 33 with the Five Blobs' horror . In late 1942, Como made the decision to quit the Weems band, even if it meant he had to give up singing. Where did Perry Como die? Wife of singer/actor Perry Como. Perry was the seventh of thirteen children. Singer Perry Como who entertained fans for decades with his dulcet tones on hits like "Catch a Falling Star" as well as countless Christmas songs died in 2001 after suffering from . These days, we're hearing increasingly less from Gov. Perry Como, the crooning baritone barber famous for his relaxed vocals, cardigan sweaters and television Christmas specials, died Saturday after a lengthy illness. "It'll be 58 years soon and I told Roselle just the other day that I think I'm getting a little tired of it," Como quipped to Good Housekeeping Magazine in 1990 (via Kokomo). Como never appeared to be truly comfortable in films, feeling the roles assigned him did not match his personality. April 9, 2015 2:12 PM PT. Over the next four seasons, from 1963 to 1967, the series was presented as monthly specials alternating with Kraft Suspense Theatre, The Andy Williams Show, and finally The Road West. Late singer and television personality Perry Como's Long Island home is back on the market for $2.9 million down from its $3.9 . Singer Perry Como, whose career stretched from the 1930s to the 1980s, died on Saturday at his home in Florida. [159][160] At one point, his television show was broadcast in at least 12 other countries. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. The 88-year-old Como, famous for such hits as Catch a Falling Star and Papa Loves Mambo ,died May 12 at his Jupiter Inlet Colony home. Perry Como AP The 89-year-old singer, best known for his 1945 . [94][95], The year 1984 found Como traveling the US with his 50th Anniversary tour. [241][242] One of the things he did to give a helping hand to his home town was to convince RCA to open a record-pressing plant there. I can almost read your minds! Alzheimer's victims often die of other illnesses such as pneumonia before the disease is able to fully run its course. However, "The Perry Como Show" didn't come without its own hiccups, as Mr. C explained to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel years later. But he got an offer to sing with Freddie Carlone's band in Cleveland in the early 1930s. Ultimately, the singer's estate was distributed among his three children and 13 grandchildren. The Perry Como scores and scripts, 1955-1994 - Page 5 - Detailed List of Contents Scripts Weekly TV Shows box item 1 1 Shows: 1-5, September 17, 1955 - October 15, 1955 Actor Kirk Douglas was one of Como's television guests; Douglas had grown a beard for his Vincent van Gogh role in Lust For Life, which finished filming that week. [134], Como's "Dream Along With Me"[135][136] became the show's opening theme song,[120] "Mr. C." received the first of many "stacks and stacks of letters" requesting him to sing a specific song. Thank you for loving our father as we did.". Nevertheless, Mr. C freely admits that Crosby was an industry pioneer. In 1948, Because of his popularity, The cameras were simply brought into the radio studio to televise the radio broadcast and named it The Supper Club. He recorded primarily vocal pop and was renowned for recordings in the intimate, easy-listening genre pioneered by . A Long Island home once owned by crooner Perry Como is back on the market. Como now performed in a tuxedo, saying, "It shows respect for the audience. Singer Perry Como Dies. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed [33] Roselle was willing to travel with her fiance and the band, but the salary was not enough to support two people on the road. According to Warm 106.9, her death left Como "devastated." MIAMI, Fla. -- Perry Como, the crooning baritone barber who went from Canonsburg to the national stage but never forgot his roots, died yesterday after a lengthy illness. Perry Como Dead at 88. [43][44], It was here where Como acquired polish and his own style with the help of Weems. On the itinerary was an audience with Pope Pius XII. Movie idol Cary Grant is wheeled out of the Blackhawk Hotel in Davenport about 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov . [1], He recorded primarily vocal pop and was renowned for recordings in the intimate, easy-listening genre pioneered by multi-media star Bing Crosby. "[148] Como was among those who filled in for Gleason on The Jackie Gleason Show in 1954 when the entertainer suffered a broken ankle and leg in an on-air fall. Is "Mister Nice Guy" just a press agent's pitch? In May 1974, he embarked on his first concert appearance outside of the United States, a show at the London Palladium for the Variety Club of Great Britain to aid children's charities. Published on March 4, 2019 12:51 PM. That celebrated ease of his has been too little understood. [39] Como initially did not take the offer to join Weems's orchestra. When he was contacted by the agency some weeks later, saying they were ready to put the program on the air on NBC, Storer bluntly told them the man for their show was the man they had heard on the demo recording. [48] Though Como was now making $250 a week and travel expenses for the family were no problem, Ronnie could not become used to a normal routine when they were able to stay in one place for a period of time. Perry's catches would usually turn out to be the Como family's dinners. Como asked his associate, Ray Charles, to write English lyrics for the song, using it many times on both television shows and his Christmas albums. Como, Jo Stafford, the Lloyd Shaffer Orchestra and the entire "Supper Club" crew made the flights for the shows. Working at such a young age would come in handy for Perry Como. Well, a song and $3.9 million. When asked what their secret was to maintaining such a successful marriage, Belline had none. A mere three years later, he worked his way up to a barber position, manning his own chair. "We had some tough times," Belline told the outlet. [20] The family had a second-hand organ his father had bought for $3; as soon as Como was able to toddle, he would head to the instrument, pump the bellows, and play music he had heard. "We shared ice cream. By age 13, he had graduated to having his own chair in the Fragapane barber shop, although he stood on a box to tend to his customers. Born in 1912 and growing up in small-town Pennsylvania, Perry Como was the seventh child of Pietro and Lucia Como's 13 children, with the couple having immigrated from Italy (via the American Music Research Center).As revealed by The Saturday Evening Post, Perry entered the workforce at the age of 10, getting up bright and early at 6 a.m. every day, ready to sweep floors at a barbershop before . The four golfers played 18 holes for the cameras at Sands Point, New York, where the Comos made their home in the television years. [117][118][120] Como became the highest-paid performer in the history of television to that date, earning mention in the Guinness Book of World Records. display: block; What genre was Perry Como? [69][126] In 1950, Como moved to CBS and the show's title was changed to The Perry Como Chesterfield Show, again sponsored by Liggett & Myers' Chesterfield cigarettes. During the final few years of his life, Perry Como's health was, sadly, deteriorating. [120][135], Perry's announcer on the broadcasts, Frank Gallop, became a foil for Como's jokes. [108] Fred Othman, a Hollywood columnist, publicly stated that he believed Como the barber was just a publicity gimmick. Perry Como, whose smooth baritone voice and likable manner made him an American pop music icon at the middle of the last century, died Saturday in Florida after a long illness. In most of the film Perry Como is called Eddie Anders and toward the end (for no reason) they start calling him Perry Como. South Florida Sun-Sentinel. [149] This is rarely mentioned, in part because Como commonly downplayed his achievements and because the two men were friends. Como left his job as a Pennsylvania steel town barber to sing with big bands in the 1930s, and his songs were a mainstay of radio and jukeboxes in the late 1940s. I come over like just another bum in a tuxedo. [86][87][88] Como was invited to visit Buckingham Palace the day after the show. [143] It was common for Como to leave the Saturday-afternoon rehearsal for about a half-hour to go to confession. [247] In downtown Canonsburg, all of the tree grates are marked with information about the records that sold a million copies and the town clock hourly plays one of the hits of Como (141), Vinton (44), or the Four Coins (7), also from Canonsburg.[248][249][250]. Net Worth: $40 Million Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.676 m) Profession: Singer, Actor, TV Personality Nationality: United States of America. Rick Perry . [31][105][116] Quoting Como, "I was wasting their time and they were wasting mine. ", The charming Italian-American whose name became synonymous with mellow performed through seven decades, starting in the 1930s. Perry Como married Roselle Belline in 1933 and was blessed with three children. They remained together until his death. Mrs. Como died in August 1998, less than two weeks after she and Como celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Bill Wundram. [129], Como's CBS contract was to expire on July 1, 1955. On television, I'm allowed to be myself; in pictures, I was always some other guy. What some fail to realize, however, is that the Pennsylvania-born crooner is so much more than his gimmicky hits. During one of Como's early Decca recording sessions with the Weems orchestra, Weems was told to get rid of "that kid" (Como) because he sounded too much like Bing Crosby, who also recorded for Decca. [132] In appreciation for the 11-year association, his sponsor, Chesterfield, presented him with all the musical arrangements used during this time as a parting gift. Mr. C's lady was always quick to reciprocate her beau's love, as well, and in 1998, just before the couples' remarkable 65th wedding anniversary, she gushed to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "He was and still is the most gentle and humble man I ever met" (via Kokomo).