Paul Anka performed “My Way,” the signature song made famous in 1969 by Frank Sinatra, onstage at a post-premiere dinner for Paul Anka: His Waya documentary about the Canadian singer-songwriter legend, which had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
The celebratory dinner at Toronto’s Union Station saw Anka, now 83, recount a career spanning decades and genres. He recalled that at Miami’s Fountainbleau Hotel, during a dinner, Sinatra told him he was leaving show business.
“I've had enough,” Anka said, but not before Sinatra added that he needed to complete one last album. With his young wife Mia Farrow at his side, the legendary singer added, “You never wrote me that song.”
Now under pressure, Anka returned to New York City and, sitting at his piano after midnight, wrote that famous ballad for an artist whose end was near and who was about to close the curtain. The next day at dawn, Anka telephoned Sinatra to tell him that his newly written song, inspired by his retirement, was ready.
“It did so much for me and for him. It was such a big hit that it stayed another ten years. It shows you what a hit record can do,” Anka added after Sinatra recorded In my own way.
Paul Anka: his way, directed by John Maggio and produced by Blue Ant Studios, PA Doc and Ark Media, traces an eight-decade career that has brought the Ottawa-born artist to global success. Anka spoke from the stage at Union Station shortly before his performance about the lessons he learned while making the documentary.
“It all comes down to one simple question, folks, what really, really matters. Everything will end: wealth, fame, and power, everything will shrink. It won't matter what you own. Grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will disappear, as will your hopes, plans, ambitions, and to-do lists. Things like victories and defeats that once seemed so vital will simply vanish,” Anka said.
“So what will matter? What will matter is not your success, but your importance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage and sacrifice that enriched, strengthened or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you met or how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live on in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you are remembered, by whom and for what,” Anka added.
The Toronto Film Festival continues through September 15.