I am a native of Canonsburg, PA, the hometown of Perry Como. My mother knew him when they were children, and his sister, Venzie, was my mother's best friend the last thirty-five years of their lives. When I was in second grade, Perry came to Pittsburgh to broadcast his show from the Civic Arena. The morning of the broadcast, Venzie called my mother up to ask us to come over before school began. We lived next door to her at the time, and we immediately ran next door, only to meet Perry himself. When we addressed him as Mister Como, he told us to call him Uncle Perry. From that moment on, we always called him that. We went to the Arena that night and I saw my first television show, live.
It was one of those childhood memories I will never forget. Thanks, Uncle Perry.
It was one of those childhood memories I will never forget. Thanks, Uncle Perry.