MISSED OBITS: RONALD COMO

I am sad to report that I missed an obituary for the son of Perry Como. Ronald Como died in Janaury of this year. He was involved in some controversy back when Perry Como was in failing health. His sister and himself were fighting over who should take care of the elder Como...

GRANGER –Ronald “Ron” Perry Como of Granger, IN born on January 15th, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Roselle Bellino Como and Perino Ronald “Perry” Como, had gone to meet his maker at the age of 78 on January 2nd, 2019. He “Went Home” surrounded by his family after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Ron attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated with his undergraduate degree in 1961 and earned his Master’s in Business Administration in 1963.Ron served his Country in the JROTC while attending Xavier High School in NY. During his time at Notre Dame, Ron was awarded a Purple Heart while serving active duty with the Marines in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Ron worked most of his career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries for Bendix/Allied Signal. Ron was easily identified as the guy who drove the old VW Beetle to work with the boat tied on top, even in the winter! In 1992, after more than 25 years of dedicated service, Ron retired as the Director of Labor Relations for Allied Signal in South Bend.

Ron leaves behind his wife of over 57 years, Melanie L. Como. Together they were blessed with six children: sons: Ronald Como Jr. (LeAnn), and Paul Como, and daughters: Melanie Como-Dits (David), Wendy Como, Paige Como-Howard (Jon), and Mary Como. Also left to cherish his memory are his grandchildren: Ronald Como, Christopher Como, Abigail Como, Alexis Bishop, Amelia Bishop, Gabriella Bishop, Tyler Dits and great-grandson, Bastian Richardson.

Ron was foremost a Husband, Father and Grandfather but also had a passion for the outdoors. Ron was an avid hunter, fisherman and photographer. Ron and his son, Ron Jr., spent countless days out on their property enjoying the wildlife and looking for that “perfect buck!” During the summer, Ron loved sitting peacefully on the deck of his home on Birch Lake surrounded by his wife Melanie and their children and grandchildren. The beauty and magic of the water and sunsets always brought a smile to his face and never got old!

Ron was a long-time member and supporter of the Izaak Walton League of South Bend, IN. and the Edwardsburg conservation Club of Edwardsburg, MI.The family would like to extend our thanks to the caregivers who tirelessly spent hours taking care of “Mr. C” for the past 10 years. We are truly grateful for all your kindnesses. We could not have done this without you. God Bless all of you. Special thanks also go to the wonderful doctors especially Dr. Paula Toth – Russell, Dr. Brian Jacobs and the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic...

COMING SOON: PERRY COMO ON PBS

MY MUSIC PRESENTS

Perry Como Classics:

‘Till the End of Time

For over 50 years, Perry Como ranked as one of America’s most successful and beloved entertainers. A big band singer in the late 1930s, a radio star in the 1940s and then a TV headliner in the 1950s and beyond, Perry was a warm and welcome presence in tens of millions of households for six decades, charting over 100 hit songs along the way.

Now, for the first time, a collection of Como’s biggest hits from long-lost and newly-restored episodes from his TV series and specials (1948 – 1988) — including rare color programs and more recently discovered footage — is being presented in Perry Como Classics: 'Till the End of Time which offers a fond look at a talent beloved both on and off the stage and screen.

Perry Como Classics: 'Till the End of Time premieres around the country the weekend of Saturday, June 2^nd.  Perry Como Classics: 'Till the End of Time is hosted by Peter Marshall and Nick Clooney and airs as part of the long-running MY MUSIC series of PBS fund-raising specials.

Here are selected clips from the special…

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pcj3poxn3938zrn/AACO4wyK0tQ-yX7mHznCSji9a?dl=0

Hit records such as “It’s Impossible,” “Catch A Falling Star,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Magic Moments,” “Round & Round,” “Home For The Holidays,” “And I Love You So,” “No Other Love,” “Hot Diggity” and dozens more made Perry Como the second most popular male singer of the 20th century on the record charts, ahead of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra and just behind Bing Crosby.

Como was a television staple for over 40 years, beginning with his hosting duties in the late 1940s on “The Chesterfield Supper Club” through the early 1990s in series and specials that set the standard for variety programming, winning numerous Emmy Awards and other accolades while drawing devoted viewers around the globe.

Perry Como Classics: 'Till the End of Time features the singer singing duets with Dean Martin, The McGuire Sisters, Lena Horne, Carol Burnett, Bing Crosby and The Lennon Sisters plus there are warm remembrances from celebrities like Carol Burnett, Regis Philbin, Jay Leno, Kathy Lennon (of The Lennon Sisters), Leonard Maltin, Richard Carpenter, Debby Boone and Steve Tyrell. 

Perry Como Classics: 'Till the End of Time features these performances: 

·         “Till The End Of Time” - #1 (1945)

·          “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now” - #2 (1947)

·         “Some Enchanted Evening” - #1 (1949)

·          “No Other Love” - #1 (1953)

·         “Temptation” - #1 (1945)

·         “Prisoner Of Love” - #1 (1946)

·         “Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes” - #1 (1952)

·          “Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity)” - #1 (1956)

·          “Round & Round” - #1 (1957)

·         “Magic Moments” - #4 (1957)

·         “(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays” - #8 (1954)

·          “And I Love You So” - #1 (1973)

·         “Catch A Falling Star” - #1 (1958)

·         “It’s Impossible” - #10 (1970)

Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS

Executive Producer: TJ Lubinsky

HISTORY OF A SONG: MOUNTAIN GREENERY

Readers of my blog as well as people that know me, know what a fan I am of the music of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Lorenz Hart, more than anyone, was a true poet in every sense of the word. Most of my favorite songs are Rodgers and Hart compositions. One of my favorite of the uplifting songs by the duo was "Mountain Greenery". The song was a popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart for the musical The Garrick Gaieties (1926). It was first performed on stage by Sterling Holloway. Fans of television's The Dick Van Dyke Show will remember the duet by Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore in the episode "The Sleeping Brother".

Two of the first notable records of the song were made by Roger Wolfe Kahn and his Orchestra  on May 27, 1926 and Frank Crumit on July 29, 1926. Bing Crosby recorded a version of the song for his 1956 album Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings, but my personal favorite version of the song was made by Perry Como in 1948 for the film "biography" of Rodgers and Hart's life Words And Music. Como's version contains some verses that you normally don't hear in other recordings.

Rounding out the great versions of this song was Ella Fitzgerald's great version for  Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook in 1956. Mel Tormé had a top-five hit in Great Britain with his version also from 1956. Surprisingly The Supremes as well had a nice version of the song on their retro album The Supremes Sing Rodgers and Hart in 1966. The songs of Rodgers and Hart may be over 80 years old in some instances, but their words and music are timeless...

MUSIC REVIEW: PERRY COMO

Here is a review I did online way back in 2001 - seems like only yesterday...

I bought this excellent CD only weeks before Perry Como passed away in May of 2001. Whether you're a big fan of Perry Como, like msyelf, or just a casual listener. This CD collection is jam packed with gems of Perry's career. Firstly, you get to hear Como's standard's like "Prisoner Of Love","If","Because", and "Til The End Of Time". Secondly, you get some lesser known Como recordings like "Black Moonlight" (first recorded by Perry's idol Bing Crosby in 1933) and "Over The Rainbow" (Of course a Judy Garland standard. He makes every song he sings his very own, and not many performers could do that. That is why Perry Como was truly one of the best crooners, next to Bing Crosby.

Another moving and touching song on the set, especially since Mr. Como's death is "Last Night When We Were Young". It is moving and powerful. Now Perry never had the most powerful voice, but he could instill drama into a serious song that makes him sound like an opera singer. The CD's sound is faultless, and I can find no flaws in this issue. The only gripe I have is that Mr. Perry Como is no longer with us anymore...

MY RATING: 10 OUT OF 10

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: CELEBRITY FATHERS

It is never easy to be a parent. Even as your child grows up, you never stop worrying about them. I can imagine it is even harder for a celebrity father...harder for the parent as well as the child. In honor of Father's Day this weekend, here are some great pictures featuring celebrity fathers of classic Hollywood...

PERRY COMO AND HIS SON

JACK BENNY AND HIS DAUGHTER

JOHN WAYNE AND HIS SON

JIMMY STEWART AND HIS SONS

FRED ASTAIRE AND HIS DAUGHTER

HUMPHREY BOGART AND HIS SON

CHRISTMAS MOMENTS: PERRY COMO

With the snow and colder weather here, it is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas. This is also the wonderful time of the year when you hear more music everywhere by singers like Bing Crosby and Perry Como. Here is Perry Como singing a great Christmas carol from 1958...

UNUSUAL DUETS: PERRY COMO AND KAREN CARPENTER

Here is an unsual but very enjoyable duet. Two great voices are combined with Perry Como and Karen Carpenter singing together. They would have made a great album together. This clip is from one of Perry Como's specials in the 1970s...

UNUSUAL DUETS: DEAN MARTIN AND PERRY COMO

Here is a rare appearance by these two great Italian crooners...



clip courtesy of Martin Knight.