Editing Perry Como (section)

===Como in concert===
Como had not made a nightclub appearance in 26 years when he accepted an engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in June 1970, which also resulted in his first "live" album, ''[[Perry Como in Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas]]''.<ref name="Return">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MzMsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4845,4281437&dq=perry+como&hl=en |title=Como Return a Triumph |date=November 21, 1970 |page=3 |last=O'Brian |first=Jack |publisher=Spartanburg Herald-Journal |access-date=May 7, 2010}}</ref> [[Ray Charles (musician, born 1918)|Ray Charles]], whose [[Ray Charles Singers]] were heard with Como for over 35 years, formed a special edition of the vocal group for Como's Vegas opening. Como had last appeared at New York's [[Copacabana (nightclub)|Copacabana]] in 1944.{{sfn|Grudens|2004|pp=63–69}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wCkEAAAAMBAJ&q=perry+como+intitle%3Abillboard&pg=PA50-IA12 |title=Perry Likes to Sing; Dean Has a comedy Fling |page=50 |date=September 19, 1970 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TlAxAAAAIBAJ&pg=7432,8840606&dq=perry+como&hl=en |title=Living Is Enjoying What You Do: Como |date=June 22, 1970 |page=4 |last=Boyle |first=Hal |newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner |access-date=May 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Grey">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m4gfAAAAIBAJ&pg=817,135310&dq=perry+como&hl=en |title=Como, 58 and Grey, in first Night Club Stint in 26 Years |date=July 1, 1970 |page=13 |newspaper=[[The Daytona Beach News-Journal|Daytona Beach Morning Journal]] |access-date=May 4, 2010}}</ref> Como continued to do periodic engagements in Las Vegas and [[Lake Tahoe, Nevada|Lake Tahoe]], limiting his nightclub appearances to Nevada.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bw8EAAAAMBAJ&q=perry+como+intitle%3Abillboard&pg=PA24 |title=3 Old Pros-Tony, Vic and Perry Improve MOR's Appearance |page=24 |date=November 4, 1972 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref>

Performing live again brought Como a new sense of enjoyment. In May 1974, he embarked on his first concert appearance outside the U.S., a show at the [[London Palladium]] for the [[Variety, the Children's Charity|Variety Club]] of Great Britain to aid children's charities.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.kokomo.ca/harry_smith/chapters/a_charity_feast_with_perry_como.htm |title=A Charity Feast with Perry Como |journal=Kokomo |access-date=April 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305162554/http://www.kokomo.ca/harry_smith/chapters/a_charity_feast_with_perry_como.htm |archive-date=March 5, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.kokomo.ca/harry_smith/photo_pages/hs/variety_club_1974_ticket.htm |title=Copy of Variety Club ticket |journal=Kokomo |access-date=April 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305162604/http://www.kokomo.ca/harry_smith/photo_pages/hs/variety_club_1974_ticket.htm |archive-date=March 5, 2012}}</ref> It was here where he discovered what he had been missing when the audience cheered for ten minutes after he walked onstage. At the show's end, Como sat in a chair, delightedly chatting back and forth with his equally delighted fans.<ref name="Fishing"/> Perry returned to the United Kingdom in November for a ''[[Royal Variety Performance]]'' to benefit the [[Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund]] with [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]] in attendance.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.kokomo.ca/harry_smith/photo_pages/hs/variety_1.htm |title=Royal Performance information |journal=Kokomo |access-date=April 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801070216/http://www.kokomo.ca/harry_smith/photo_pages/hs/variety_1.htm |archive-date=August 1, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.kokomo.ca/harry_smith/photo_pages/hs/variety_1.htm |title=The Royal Variety Performance |journal=Kokomo |access-date=April 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801070216/http://www.kokomo.ca/harry_smith/photo_pages/hs/variety_1.htm |archive-date= August 1, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eabf.org.uk/royal-variety-performance/archive/1970s/1974 |title=Royal Variety Performance |year=1974 |publisher=Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund |access-date=January 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120163249/http://www.eabf.org.uk/royal-variety-performance/archive/1970s/1974 |archive-date=January 20, 2016 }}</ref> Como was invited to visit [[Buckingham Palace]] the day after the show. At first, the invitation did not extend to his associates traveling and working with him, and Como politely declined.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lvgeAAAAIBAJ&pg=7039,1251576&dq=harry+sobol+como&hl=en|title=Perry Shatters London Audience, Also Protocol |last=O'Brian |first=Jack |date=December 5, 1974 |page=31 |newspaper=Sarasota Journal |access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> When word reached the Palace regarding the reason for Perry's turning down the invitation, it was then extended to include the entire Como party and Como accepted.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AtFOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5499,6008560&dq=perry+como+queen&hl=en |title=Off the Grapevine |page=82 |date=November 27, 1974 |last=O'Brian |first=Jack |newspaper=Toledo Blade |access-date=April 1, 2011}}</ref> Soon after, he announced his first concert tour that began in the UK in the spring of 1975.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fQkEAAAAMBAJ&q=perry+como+intitle%3Abillboard&pg=PA56 |title=Como UK Tour His First Ever |page=56 |date=December 7, 1974 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]d |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref>

In 1982, Como and Frank Sinatra were invited to entertain Italian President [[Sandro Pertini]] at a [[White House]] state dinner when he made an official visit. President Pertini enjoyed their performance enough to join them in singing "Santa Lucia".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RRtKAAAAIBAJ&pg=4995,6139554&dq=perry+como+frank+sinatra&hl=en |title=Sinatra, Como White House Hit |date=March 26, 1982 |page=2 |newspaper=The Press-Courier |location=Oxnard, Calif |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=November 25, 2010}}</ref> The pair reprised this routine the next year in California as part of the entertainment for [[Queen Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth]]'s Royal visit.<ref name="Fifty"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TTwaAAAAIBAJ&pg=5770,4154691&dq=perry+como+frank+sinatra+queen&hl=en |title=Hollywood stars treat the queen like 'royalty' |page=23 |date=February 28, 1983 |newspaper=Spokane Chronicle |access-date=November 25, 2010}}</ref> Perry was on the program by special request of the Queen.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0Ow9AAAAIBAJ&pg=1517,9732&dq=perry+como&hl=en |title=Mixed reviews for Queen in Hollywood |page=1 |last=Sharp |first=Rhoderick |date=March 1, 1983 |publisher=The Glasgow Herald |access-date=December 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-9ZOAAAAIBAJ&pg=3239,7122564&dq=perry+como&hl=en |title=Royalty will visit |date=February 26, 1983 |page=16 |publisher=Star-News |location=Wilmington, NC |access-date=December 2, 2010 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

In 1984, Como traveled the US with his 50th Anniversary tour. Having spent most of his professional life in radio or recording studios and on television soundstages, he was enjoying doing live performances.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kpAzAAAAIBAJ&pg=6951,763253&dq=perry+como&hl=en |title=50 years later, Perry Como's still a big hit |date= August 17, 1984|last1=Cranford |first1=Beaufort |last2=McFarlin |first2=Jim |page=39| newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |access-date=May 4, 2010}}</ref> Even after his 80th birthday, Como continued the concert tours.<ref name="Perry">{{cite news |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-01-24/news/9301210863_1_perry-como-christmas-charles-fishman |title=A Few Moments With Perry Como |date=January 24, 1993 |last=Fishman |first=Charles |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |access-date=April 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308180207/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-01-24/news/9301210863_1_perry-como-christmas-charles-fishman |archive-date=March 8, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Concert">{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1992/12/25/on-the-concert-trail-with-mr-c/ |title=On the Concert Trail With Mr. C. |date=December 25, 1992 |last=Corr |first=John |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |access-date=April 30, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308175923/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1992-12-25/entertainment/9212240239_1_perry-como-barber-rca |archive-date=March 8, 2016}}</ref> Gone, however, were the [[Cardigan (sweater)|cardigan sweaters]] which had been a staple of his weekly television shows, and which he had actually hated wearing. Como now performed in a [[Black tie|tuxedo]], saying, "It shows respect for the audience."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-31-ca-5484-story.html |title=Life On The Road Brings Como This Way Again |date=July 31, 1985 |last=Hawn |first=Jack |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=April 30, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160309051412/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-07-31/entertainment/ca-5484_1_perry-como |archive-date=March 9, 2016 }}</ref>
<ref name="Sweaters">{{cite news |title=It's impossible! Perry Como actually hated those sweaters |date=July 24, 1985| newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |pages=1–2}}</ref>

The return to live appearances also provided Como with an opportunity to have a little fun with his "Mister Nice Guy" image in a song [[Ray Charles (musician, born 1918)|Ray Charles]] and [[Nick Perito]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2005/08/16/Composer-Nick-Perito-dead-at-81/UPI-15851124212822 |title=Composer Nick Perito dead at 81 |date=August 3, 2005 |publisher=United Press International |access-date=April 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194614/http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2005/08/16/Composer-Nick-Perito-dead-at-81/UPI-15851124212822 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://theperrycomoappreciationsociety.webs.com/thecomoteam.htm |title=The Como Team |website=Perry Como Appreciation Society |access-date=June 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513232232/http://theperrycomoappreciationsociety.webs.com/thecomoteam.htm |archive-date=May 13, 2010 }}</ref> his closest collaborator since 1963,<ref name="Allmusic Perito">{{AllMusic |class=artist |id=p113573 |tab=biography |label=Nick Perito |first=Jason |last=Ankeny |access-date=March 30, 2011}}</ref> wrote and composed for him:<ref name="Cool"/><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.kokomo.ca/album_24.htm |title=Perry Como in Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas |year=1970 |journal=Kokomo |access-date=June 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130801071615/http://www.kokomo.ca/album_24.htm |archive-date=August 1, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://kokomo.ca/pop_standards/if_i_could_almost_read_your_mind_1970.htm |title=If I Could Almost Read Your Mind Lyrics |journal=Kokomo |access-date=June 20, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325052030/http://kokomo.ca/pop_standards/if_i_could_almost_read_your_mind_1970.htm |archive-date=March 25, 2012 }}</ref><br>
{{blockquote
|text=<poem style="font-size:100%; line-height: 1.51em;">It doesn't take a guy equipped with ESP
To see what's cookin' with your curiosity!
Is "Mister Nice Guy" just a press agent's pitch?
His dearest friends say he's a ...<br>
You never thought you'd see me in Las Vegas "live"
I haven't played a "club" since 1885!
It's spelled out in dollar signs (you better believe it!)
I can almost read your minds!<br>
</poem>
|author=Nick Perito and Ray Charles
|source="If I Could Almost Read Your Mind"}}