In 1945, Como had his first of more than a dozen million-selling hits, Till the End of Time; many of his songs, including Prisoner of Love, were chart toppers. Menu. [50] It was five weeks before he was actually called to the set, despite the studio's initial urgent report for work notice. [29][135][137] It was also here where he began wearing his trademark cardigan sweaters. 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. [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. They get tired of hearing Melancholy Baby and those mushy things, Como said in a 1994 interview. [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. "I'm not very high-strung or animated by nature," the crooner once told Good Housekeeping (via Kokomo). Rock n roll had crowded out the crooners who once charmed hordes of screaming bobby-soxers. Guideposts Classics: Perry Como on Faith, Family and Prayer Terri Como Biography Trivia (1) Adopted daughter of Perry Como. [99][122] The show's closing theme was, "You Are Never Far Away From Me". . Nevertheless, 1933 saw Como choosing to "sing for a living" and it also marked the first year of his life as a married man since he finally wed his longtime love. [47] The weekly radio show, Beat the Band, which ran on NBC from 19401944, was a "stump the band"-type musical quiz show on which Weems and his orchestra were the featured band from 19401941.[43]. [171][172] The show featured the first television appearance of the Sistine Chapel Choir, and also the first time a non-choir member (Como) sang with them. During the final few years of his life, Perry Como's health was, sadly, deteriorating. During the course of Perry Como's life on the A-list, it was difficult to find a single soul who had a negative thing to say. JUPITER INLET COLONY, Fla. Perry Como, the crooning baritone barber famous for his relaxed vocals, cardigan sweaters and television Christmas specials, died Saturday at his home. [189][190] In 1993, he was successfully treated for bladder cancer. His weekly television shows and seasonal specials were broadcast throughout the world. [49] Como decided life on the road was no place to try raising a child, and Roselle and the baby went back to Canonsburg. A thorough check of both the Como and NBC publicity offices found that neither was responsible for the release of the photos to the media; it was done by the Vatican's press department. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) _ The children of crooner Perry Como battled over their father's medical care before he died, court records show. [220] Como and his wife, Roselle, are buried at Riverside Memorial Park, Tequesta, Palm Beach County, Florida.