Las Vegas Weekly

December 24, 2008 · 10:01 AM

Paul Anka’s popular three-night Orleans stop prompts return engagement

By Robin Leach

Paul Anka at The Orleans.

Photo: TVT

It may well have been one of the best and tightest shows of his legendary 51-year career. Paul Anka thrilled and wowed the sold-out crowds at The Orleans on his three-day visit, and when I was there on closing night, it was the show of a lifetime.

It was as if he and his 17-piece band didn’t even want to pack up their instruments. Paul enthralled -- so much so that The Orleans entertainment executives promptly booked him back for another three back-to-back nights in March.

His voice was staggeringly strong. His sing-along tributes to Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra and then the extended Anka family of children and grandchildren appearing on a giant screen were masterful and emotional, winning standing ovations and frenzied applause. His band couldn’t have been more polished with their super-sounds.

Photo: TVT

Paul Anka at The Orleans.

Paul sang his way through the audience, danced with them in their seats, high-five’d them and posed for their cameras in the aisles -- and twice wound up dancing on the arms of seats to sing one of his 22 Top 10 hits. It was just under two hours of magnificent music and stellar songs.

No wonder his standing ovation ran nearly 10 minutes with three separate encores! A consummate showman! They just don’t turn them out like that anymore in the music business.

I went backstage to pay respects and say hello, and Paul happily introduced me to his wife, Anna. They were all hugs and smiles and happily posed for my camera. Remember a week ago when Internet gossip sites went into overdrive about her beaning him with an ice cube? Click HERE for Paul’s own direct version of the wildly exaggerated and overblown incident.

Photo: TVT

Paul Anka and wife Anna Anka.

Said Paul: “Vegas is like my second home. I love being here, but I also love the world travels. My daughter lives in Milan, so we’ll be off to Italy for concerts early next year. I’m really looking forward to returning to Vegas so soon.”

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