Perry Como passed away in his sleep on May 12, 2001, at his home in Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida. He was 88 years old, just six days shy of his 89th birthday. His death marked the quiet close of a career that spanned more than half a century, leaving behind a template for modern pop crooners and television variety hosts alike.
Before his passing, Como spent his final years dealing with declining health, including symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Yet, the smooth baritone voice that defined mid-century American pop culture remained etched in the public consciousness. Let's look back at how a small-town barber became one of the most enduring recording artists of the twentieth century.
From Barber's Chair to Big Band Stardom
Born Pierino Ronald Como on May 18, 1912, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Como was the seventh son of Italian immigrants. Music entered his life early, but his first trade was barbering. By his early teens, he owned his own shop in his hometown.
The pivot to music happened in 1933 when bandleader Ted Weems heard him sing and invited him to join his orchestra. Como spent several years touring with the Ted Weems Orchestra, honing his relaxed stage presence. When the band broke up in the early 1940s, Como contemplated returning to his barber tools in Pennsylvania. Instead, CBS radio offered him a contract, setting off a chain reaction that caught the eye of RCA Victor.
The RCA Victor Legacy and Chart Dominance
In 1943, Como signed an exclusive recording contract with RCA Victor that would last for an unprecedented 44 years. He didn't chase vocal theatrics or belt out high notes. Instead, he relied on an intimate, conversational delivery style. It felt as though he was singing directly to a single listener sitting across a living room.
His record sales shattered contemporary benchmarks:
- Recorded over 200 songs that crossed pop, standard, and easy-listening genres.
- Placed 14 singles at the very top of the charts during an era of fierce competition.
- Sold more than 100 million records worldwide, placing him alongside elite multi-platinum acts of his generation.
Tracks like "Till the End of Time", "Catch a Falling Star", and later adult-contemporary staples like "It's Impossible" showcased an uncanny ability to adapt to changing musical landscapes without abandoning his signature warmth.
Pioneering Television Variety
While records built his reputation, television made him a household fixture. The Perry Como Show debuted in 1948 on radio before transitioning to CBS television and later NBC. Como brought an unprecedented casualness to the screen. He famously wore cardigans, greeted audiences with a warm "good evening," and projected total ease.
This relaxed demeanor wasn't an act. Offscreen, Como was famously low-key, preferring quiet family life with his wife, Roselle, whom he married in 1933 and remained with until her death in 1998. His television specials—particularly his holiday broadcasts—became annual traditions for millions of families. For his work on the small screen, Como earned multiple Emmy Awards throughout the 1950s.
Honors, Accolades, and Later Years
As musical tastes shifted toward rock and roll, Como smoothly transitioned into the adult contemporary category. He continued performing live well into his later decades, trading high-energy tours for seated theater residencies and television holiday specials.
Major institutions recognized his lasting impact on American culture:
- Won a Grammy Award in 1958 for "Catch a Falling Star".
- Received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 1987 for lifetime contributions to the performing arts.
- Inducted posthumously into various entertainment halls of fame, alongside a Library of Congress National Recording Registry inclusion for his classic 1957 recordings.
When he died in 2001, tributes poured in from across the entertainment world, celebrating a man who never let fame alter his humble, gentle disposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Perry Como's death?
Perry Como died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes compounded by age and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease at his home in Florida.
How long was Perry Como married?
He was married to his wife Roselle Belline for 65 years, from 1933 until her death in 1998. The couple had three children together.
Did Perry Como write his own songs?
No. Como was an interpretive vocalist rather than a songwriter. He chose standards, pop tunes, and show tunes, making them definitive through his unique vocal phrasing and arrangement choices.
Why was Perry Como associated with cardigans?
During his television variety shows, Como wore casual sweaters to project a relaxed, fireside-chat persona. This wardrobe choice became his trademark and influenced casual television fashion for decades.
