Paul Anka Reflects on Cold War Experiences
Singer Paul Anka recently shared his thoughts on the stark differences between the failures of Soviet-era communism and the freedoms enjoyed in America. He appeared on Bill Maher’s “Club Random,” discussing his performances in Poland and Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. Anka recounted, “We checked into hotels that had one bathroom for an entire floor, no room service, and were dark and bleak.”
Maher expressed frustration over the growing sympathy for communism among young people today, suggesting they haven’t been adequately taught history. “It’s very frustrating to see,” he remarked. “Just because we’ve been through it, it doesn’t resonate with them. They assume they know everything.” His comments were fueled by Anka’s memories of shortages and life under a regime tied to the Soviet Union, which highlighted widespread criticism of that system.
Anka described his firsthand experiences in Poland and Czechoslovakia, where he found it challenging to locate even basic necessities. “Bill, when you got back to Ryogoku, you’d see little stores all around the block selling toothpaste, food, and T-shirts,” he noted. “My band and I left behind everything we brought. Our suitcases? Empty.” This sentiment echoed Maher’s belief, adding weight to Anka’s experiences stating, “It’s an evil, evil system, and it just doesn’t work.” Maher jokingly questioned the arguments made over bratwurst at 12:30 AM when, in reality, they were standing in line for potatoes.
Anka’s journey to Poland began rather unexpectedly, following a meeting with the country’s president during a flight. The State Department later reached out, inviting him to perform. “It didn’t feel like going to Las Vegas,” he said, reflecting on his first impressions of the country, which were quite gloomy due to the limited options for hotels and dining.
He recalled, “First, you check into the hotel. There’s one bathroom for the entire floor, there’s no room service, and it’s dark and bleak. All I had was vodka.” Later, while sitting by a radio broadcasting Radio Free Europe, Anka learned of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. “I think Kennedy was just killed,” he said, choking up at the memory. Shortly after, he told the audience that he was leaving Poland because of the tragedy, saying, “Guys, I’m going home. The president just got killed… but he’s going to come back someday.”
In Czechoslovakia, Anka found himself in a conversation with a woman appointed by the authorities, who claimed, “You know, not all of them are communists. We only have one million.” After the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, this woman reached out to Anka, asking for help sending her daughter to school. “She wrote, ‘Dear Anka, you were right,'” he recalled. Anka then helped by sending money for her child’s education.
