During a career spanning more than half a century, he recorded exclusively for RCA Victor for 44 years, from until His weekly television shows and seasonal specials were broadcast throughout the world. He recorded primarily vocal pop and was renowned for recordings in the intimate, easy-listening genre pioneered by multimedia star Bing Crosby. An example to all. Como received five Emmys from to , [ 7 ] and a Christopher Award in He also shared a Peabody Award with good friend Jackie Gleason in Como was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania , about 20 miles 32 km southwest of Pittsburgh.
Pietro, a mill hand and an amateur baritone , had all his children take music lessons even if he could barely afford them. By age 13, he had graduated to having his own chair in the Fragapane barber shop, although he stood on a box to tend to his customers.
Filled with shame, he locked himself in his room and did not come out until hunger got the better of him. He managed to tell his father what had happened to the money his family depended on. His father told him he was entitled to make a mistake and that he hoped his son would never do anything worse than this. When Como was 14, his father became unable to work because of a severe heart condition.
Como and his brothers became the support of the household. Despite his musical ability, Como's primary ambition was to become the best barber in Canonsburg. Practicing on his father, he mastered the skills well enough to have his own shop at age Como had so much work after moving to the coffeehouse, he had to hire two barbers to help. His customers worked mainly at the nearby steel mills.
They were well-paid, did not mind spending money on themselves, and enjoyed Como's song renditions. He did especially well when one of his customers would marry. The groom and his men would avail themselves of every treatment Como and his assistants had to offer. Como sang romantic songs while busying himself with the groom as the other two barbers worked with the rest of the groom's party.
