I read somewhere on line that Perry Como's Florida home was purchased by someone who had it torn down to build a new house. Preserving the Como home like Elvis' Graceland apparently never entered anyone's mind....Although Perry is still heard on the radio at Christmas time, his impact on television and his huge recording output is largely forgotten.
On a recent business trip to South Florida I visited the cemetery where Perry and his wife are buried. It's very unimpressive in an average run of the mill graveyard. Perry was supposedly as easy going and as down to earth as he was on TV. Fans leave pennies on top of the grave...supposedly for good luck. I don't think Perry is sending anyone luck from beyond the tomb, but his voice still has that great sound thanks to all of those recordings he made.
If I would be living in the area and had the money, I would have bought the house and preserved it. But then, maybe not. Perry Como never wanted to be in the public eye while he was alive and it's probably better that his house not be on display now either...
Perry's PR man apparently didn't design the grave as it has some cheap looking plastic flowers on it. I would have opted for the single rose which was displayed with class during his weekly TV solos...
Click here for Perry singing "The Way We Were." Perry's upbeat novelty songs of the 1950s are my favorites, but for good tear jerkers my melancholy personality loves songs like this, too. Especially after visiting his final resting place. Sleep well Mr. C.
