Images(4)

Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee

Not currently on exhibit

Artifact TypeAward

Based on Original Design by Elizabeth Wyn Wood Canadian, 1903 - 1966

Manufacturer LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada

Date2003

Founded in 1998 by music publisher Frank Davies, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) was created to recognize excellence in Canadian songwriting and honour individuals who have had an influence on our lives and cultural identity. Since its inaugural ceremony in 2003, the Hall of Fame has inducted 50 songwriters and individuals, and over 144 songs. The award itself is a miniature bronze replica of the 1927 sculpture ‘Northern Island’, created by Canadian artist Elizabeth Wyn Wood.

On loan from the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

Plaque on bottom reads: "For his outstanding contributions to Canadian songwriters and the songwriting industry, the Board of Directors of the CSHF is pleased and honoured to hereby induct: Paul Anka (Songwriter Inductee: Modern Era 1956 to 25 years prior to the present) into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of fame on Saturday, March 1, 2008 #150535 / Based upon the sculpture "Northern Island" (1927), by Elizabeth Wyn Wood, R.C.A., S.S.C. Copyright 2003 by permissions of the Estate of Elizabeth Wyn Wood."

Operation/FunctionThis artifact consists in a black square base with a gold polished sculpture. On its base it contains the inscription: “For his outstanding contributions to Canadian songwriters and the songwriting industry, the Board of Directors of the CSHF is pleased and honoured to hereby induct Paul Anka (Songwriter Inductee: Modern Era 1956 to 25 years prior to the present) into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 1, 2008 #150535. Based on the sculpture “Northern Island” (1927) by Elizabeth Wyn Wood, R.C.A., S.S.C. Copyright 2003 by permission of the Estate of Elizabeth Wyn Wood.”Cultural SignificanceAlthough he began his career as a singer and teen idol in the late 1950s with hits such as “Diana” and “Put Your Head On My Shoulder”, Paul Anka is perhaps most highly regarded for his songwriting contributions that followed. Since its inception in 1998, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame has held an important position in the national music industry, recognizing songwriters and publishing professionals who are not applicable for induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.Users/PerformersPaul Albert Anka was born 30 July 1941 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and began his musical education at a young age singing in a church choir and studying piano. By his teenage years, he had formed his own vocal group, the Bobbysoxers. Following a series of amateur performances in Ottawa, Anka began travelling to the United States with hopes of breaking into the industry, first to Los Angeles and later to New York City. While in Los Angeles, he sought out an audition with Modern Records, which led to the release of his first albeit unsuccessful single, “Blau-Wile Deverest Fontaine”. In 1957, while in New York, Anka became acquainted with ABC-Paramount Records executive, Don Costa, who signed a contract that led to the release of the massively popular “Diana”. Anka quickly became a rising teen idol and by the late 1950s was touring extensively with additional hits such as “Lonely Boy” and “Put Your Head On My Shoulder”. His popularity waned throughout the 1960s as musical tastes shifted from crooning popular music to more aggressive rock music; Anka responded by suspending his performance career and focusing primarily on Rat Pack-style songwriting. Among his more notable contributions are the theme song for The Tonight Show, helmed at the time by Johnny Carson, “She’s a Lady”, which was sung by Tom Jones, and “My Way”, which was sung by Frank Sinatra. Throughout his career, Anka has written approximately 900 songs, sold more than 10 million records globally, is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and is an inductee into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2008) and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1980).

Object numberL.2015.03.01