Spend an evening with music icon Paul Anka in September

Cozy up to Paul Anka and put your head on his shoulder when he performs at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 18.

The Canadian-born singer and songwriter nabbed his first hit with 1957’s “Diana.” “Lonely Boy,” “Puppy Love” and his swooner “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” followed and made him a household name.

By the 1960s Anka started writing songs for movies and other performers, such as Tom Jones’ “She’s a Lady,” as well as the English lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” originally a French song.

He also composed the theme for “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and Michael Jackson’s posthumous hit “This is It.”

During his lengthy career, Anka sang the “Times of Your Life” jingle for Kodak cameras in the ‘70s, and had a hit duet with Peter Cetera, “Hold Me ‘Til the Morning Comes” in the ’80s. In the ‘90s he recorded with performers such as Barry Gibb and Kenny G and by the 2000s, Anka branched out into covering bands such as R.E.M., Oasis, Van Halen and Nirvana.

He’s even covered “Mr. Brightside” by Las Vegas’ own The Killers.

In his 2013 album “Duets,” he teams up with Willie Nelson and Chris Botti as well as Celine Dion, Michael Bublé and Dolly Parton.
Tickets start at $29.

Tickets: The Smith Center, (702)-749-2000