Paul Anka Reflects on His Career and Health Routines
Though Paul Anka hasn’t indicated any plans to retire, he recognizes that the time will eventually come.
The 84-year-old artist, who boasts a remarkable 60-year career, shared with Page Six, “For my peers who may struggle with their voices, my advice is simple: Maintain your dignity, respect your audience, and move aside for those who can still deliver.”
But for now, it seems retirement is not on the horizon for the “Puppy Love” star. His voice remains strong, and he continues to tour around the world.
Anka attributes much of his longevity to lessons learned from his time with the famous Rat Pack in Las Vegas, specifically what choices to avoid.
“I chose not to drink,” he mentioned. “Smoking was never part of my life… I realized that to pursue my creative dreams, remaining healthy was essential. And it has truly paid off.”
He readily shares his health tips, explaining, “I consume olive oil daily and lemon juice at specific times. I also fast once a week and make sure to exercise. It’s really straightforward. It’s about respecting your body and following through.” He insists on keeping negativity out of his life. “Right now, I don’t want to add stress to anyone’s life. Just go away! Stress is the biggest killer.”
In recent years, Anka has seen a resurgence in his career. Interest in his 1959 song “Put Your Head on My Shoulders” skyrocketed among teenagers on TikTok.
“It opened up a new audience for us,” he noted, reminiscing about a recent performance in Mexico where around 10,000 fans attended, with a surprising percentage being young people enthusiastically engaging with his music.
He’s also featured in a new HBO Max documentary, titled “Paul Anka: His Path,” set to release on December 1st.
This documentary touches on how Anka came to write the iconic English lyrics for “My Way,” which became a major hit for Frank Sinatra—a feat he accomplished at just 24 years old. It also dives into how he penned the theme song for “The Tonight Show,” a decision that he does not regret, considering the substantial earnings it provided, which he humorously dubbed “school song” since it funded his children’s education.
As a versatile songwriter, Anka has written for artists like Tom Jones and Michael Jackson. He plans to drop a new album titled “Inspiration for Life and Love” early next year.
