By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh
On Thursday evening July 11th, Israelis got a treat at the Menorah Mivtahim Arena in Tel Aviv. Legendary singer and songwriter PAUL ANKA, had a lively concert entitled “Anka Sings Sinatra – His Songs, My Songs, My Way”. The 60’s sensation surprised by proving himself as one of the hottest selling concert performers in Israel over the past few years. This was not Anka’s first time in Israel, he had two concerts in 2009 and two more in 2011 at the Nokia Arena, which were all sold out, attesting to Israel’s love for Paul Anka.
As reported by the Jerusalem Post, the crowd enthusiastically received the performer, and in turn Anka showed that he reciprocates warm feelings towards Israel. Now close to 78 years old, Anka seemed to defy time with his energetic performance and enduring zest and motion, coupled with his extraordinary vocal capabilities which seemed to be as strong as when he began his career as a teen sensation in 1955. His performance displayed boundless energy and movement and even on the close up television screen, he looked like a youthful man, nowhere near his age. There was no warm up show needed at the two-hour show. The audience was electrified from the minute the 12-piece orchestra took the stage and the central screen behind them came to life with a video highlighting Anka’s incredible seven-decade career, starting with his earliest performances and throughout the years with a virtual “Who’s Who” of other music celebrities that he collaborated with.
Anka became unforgettably famous singing his hit songs “Diana”, “Lonely Boy”, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”, and ” Having My Baby”. He is also a renowned song writer, writing the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and one of Tom Jones’s biggest hits, “She’s a Lady”. He also wrote the English lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s classic song, “My Way”. In all he can proudly boast a career with over 600 songs, 126 albums and almost 100 million record sales across the globe. He also led a successful career in acting.
The Menorah Mivtahim arena is owned by the municipality of Tel Aviv, and is home to the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club. The hall has capacity for 10,383 with permanent seating for tennis matches, 11,060 for basketball games, and 8,000 for concerts. Other international musical performers to grace the stage have been Rod Stewart, Alicia Keys, Charles Aznavour, Westlife, Five, Sean Paul, and Julio and Enrique Iglesias.
