Chapter 11: Pop Music in the 1940s and 1950s
Perry Como (1912–2001) was one of the most beloved and enduring vocalists of the 1940s and 1950s. Born Pierino Como in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1912 (some sources list 1913), Como was the seventh of thirteen children in a working-class Italian-American family. After graduating from high school, he trained as a barber, eventually running his own shop. Music remained a hobby until he auditioned for Freddie Carlone’s band, which led to his first break as a professional singer. He later joined the Ted Weems Orchestra in 1937, gaining national exposure through their appearances on radio and in live dance halls.
When Weems was drafted into World War II, Como returned to Pennsylvania to resume his barbering career. But not for long as he was soon offered a contract with Victor Records, and his 1943 debut recording, “Goodbye Sue,” became the first in a long string of hits. His recordings from the 1940s included:
“Long Ago and Far Away” (1944)
“Till the End of Time” (1945)
“Surrender” (1946)
“Prisoner of Love”
“I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now”
“Some Enchanted Evening” (1949)
From 1944 to 1958, Como had 42 songs in the Top Ten, a remarkable run of success that reflected his deep connection with American listeners. His vocal style, rooted in the crooning tradition pioneered by Bing Crosby, was known for its smooth legato phrasing, restrained crooning delivery, and gave off the impression of effortless ease.
Como’s 1949 recording of “Some Enchanted Evening”, a ballad from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, is a quintessential example of mid-century pop style. Like many Broadway hits of the time, the song is written in 32-bar AABA form, but Como imbues each repetition of the A section with a different tone and emotional inflection, showing his talent for interpretive subtlety. A lush string arrangement, complete with harp flourishes, sets the tone for Como’s wistful and romantic delivery, which helped turn the song into one of the decade’s most iconic pop recordings.
Como was also a pioneer in television, bringing his gentle charisma and musical talents to a new medium. Beginning with appearances on The Chesterfield Supper Club, he soon launched his own show, The Perry Como Show, which ran in various formats for over a decade. From 1956 to 1963, he hosted The Kraft Music Hall, one of the most successful weekly variety shows of the era. His television appearances solidified his reputation as “America’s most relaxed superstar.”
After a period of semi-retirement in the 1960s, Como made a comeback in 1970 with a highly publicized performance at the International Hotel in Las Vegas which was his first live performance in over twenty years. He soon followed this with the hit single “It’s Impossible”, which introduced his sound to a new generation of fans and led to a series of successful international tours.
Como continued to perform throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s, becoming one of the few traditional pop vocalists to remain relevant in the television age. When Perry Como passed away in 2001, he left behind a remarkable legacy as one of the most respected and popular vocalists in American music history due not just to his talent but also his modest and kind-hearted personality.