Israel loves a bit of Anka!

Well, after a memorable year for music fans in Israel, which has seen a multitude of artists performing in the Holy Land, it’s time for 60s legend Paul Anka to stake his spot.

His November 19th Tel Aviv gig is almost sold out, but he has already agreed to perform another show at the Nokia Arena the night before, bless him. And it looks like the Israeli concert-going crowd still hasn’t felt the bite of a weak economy, what with tickets selling between 340 and 1000 shekels. Power to the Anka; if people are willing to pay, then charge.

Some of his hits include the hit that every Israeli over 35 seems to know, “You Are My Destiny”, as well as “Lonely”, and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”. I have a confession: during my first love-hate relationship with Ofira (back in the early days of my Israel adventure), I got to learn “You Are My Destiny” off by heart. And yes, I still know the words.

Moving on quickly, Paul Anka hasn’t done a lot in recent years but did pop up in the headlines recently when it was revealed he was in line to receive receive half of the royalties for Michael Jackson’s new song, “This is It”, a song Anka originally wrote for himself.

And did you know that Paul Anka is actually of Lebanese descent (well, his parents are)? Another Middle Eastern tidbit for you.

Here he is performing a somewhat blasphemous version of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Doesn’t work for me…