Paul Anka: His Way

Just a spectacular documentary featuring one of the most amazing people in the music business. The only three comparisons I have experienced would be Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra. Longevity is the key factor for Paul Anka, but also longevity at an extremely high level. The man absolutely slices like a hammer!

There's no pretense with Paul Anka. He's very low-key, except on stage. He's very down to earth. A family man. No scandals. No drug problems, gambling or booze troubles. He married very young and stayed married, but then, according to the story herein, they just decided to split-up after 37 years. She died 8 years ago, but that's not mentioned. Then he had an 18 month marriage which is not mentioned. Then a reportedly rocky four-year marriage. Also not mentioned.

So, while we re-experienced his amazing catalogue of songs, and heard some great stories, I think a lot about him remains untold in this documentary.

I'd forgotten--or never knew--just how many now-iconic songs Anka had written for other artists. (And was completely gobsmacked to learn that he wrote the theme music for Johnny Carson's Tonight Show.) Knowing little about his remarkably eventful (and astonishingly prolific) life going in, I'm a little amazed that he hasn't received the biopic treatment yet. Especially considering how popular musical biopics have become in recent years. Anka most definitely deserves the full bells-and-whistles biopic treatment.

Greetings again from the darkness. "The needle in the arm." That's how Paul Anka describes the will and the need to carry on after all of these years. How many years, you ask ... well, he's the only singer/songwriter to have a Billboard charting song in seven consecutive decades. Paul Anka is now 84 years old and documentarian John Maggio shows us that Anka is still going strong, still touring, still writing songs, and still loving what he does.

The Canadian born Anka came to the United States with $100 in his pocket and almost immediately signed a recording contract. Not long after, he had his first number one hit, "Diana", and became part of the new wave of teen idols with Pat Boone, Frankie Avalon, and Bobby Darin. This was on the heels of the legendary Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, and Dean Martin. Musical tastes were evolving, and one thing that stands out in this documentary is Paul Anka's ability and desire to evolve. When the British Invasion hit (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, etc), Anka transitioned from teen idol to renowned songwriter, actor, and international entertainer.

Director Maggio chooses wisely in putting Paul Anka front and center and walk us through this fabulous and unique career that began in the 1950's and continues today. Anka is direct and charismatic and honest as he walks us through the various phases. How fascinating that one man has written over 900 songs, recorded more than 130 albums and sold more than 90 million units. How many songwriters can say they have had their songs recorded by Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Jackson, and even Doja Cat, Justin Timberlake, and Drake? And that's just naming a few and leaves out the highly familiar theme song to "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson".

What's truly remarkable is that Paul Anka's career would be documentary-worthy if it only covered his personal career (which began at age 15) of performing on stage (which he still does). Sure, he's the guy who wrote "My Way" (at age 25), but hearing Anka tell the story behind the song is a thrill. Anka is matter-of-fact when discussing his first divorce, as well as the challenges of balancing family life with the career. He seems humble when discussing his accomplishments with Frankie Avalon, and serious when informing us of his commitment to health all these years. This remarkable man continues to live a remarkable life ... and he's done it 'his way'.

Premieres on HBO on December 1, 2025.