From “Diana” to “My Way,” Paul Anka Brings a Lifetime of Hits to Foxwoods
At a Glance
What: Paul Anka
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 7 p.m.
Location: Premier Theater, Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, CT
Admission: Ticketed event; prices vary by seat
Featuring: Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Anka
Music: Classic pop, traditional standards, and songs from Anka’s extensive catalog
Parking: The Fox Tower is the recommended parking location
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible seating available; contact the Foxwoods box office for assistance
Bag Policy: No shopping bags or backpacks; all bags subject to search
Tickets: Available through Foxwoods and Ticketmaster
Event Description
Paul Anka takes the stage at Foxwoods Resort Casino on Saturday, November 7, bringing nearly seven decades of pop music history to the Premier Theater. The legendary singer-songwriter, whose career began with the teenage sensation “Diana” in 1957, has written and performed songs that have become part of American popular culture, from “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” and “Puppy Love” to the Frank Sinatra classic “My Way.”
At 85, Anka remains one of the few performers from rock and roll’s earliest years still entertaining audiences. His concert at Foxwoods offers fans an opportunity to hear the familiar melodies, romantic ballads, and stories behind a career that has connected generations of listeners.
A Teenage Star Who Helped Shape Pop Music
Paul Anka was just 16 when “Diana” became an international sensation in 1957.
The Ottawa-born teenager had written the song himself, and its success launched a career that would take him from teenage idol to one of the entertainment industry’s most accomplished songwriters.
More hits followed.
“You Are My Destiny,” “Lonely Boy,” “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” and “Puppy Love” helped establish Anka as one of the defining voices of late-1950s and early-1960s pop.
His appeal came from more than a recognizable voice. Anka wrote songs that captured the excitement, heartbreak, and uncertainty of young love, connecting with teenagers at a time when rock and roll was transforming popular music.
While many performers from that era eventually faded from the charts, Anka continued writing, recording, and finding new audiences.
The Songwriter Behind Sinatra’s “My Way”
One of Anka’s greatest contributions to music came through a song he didn’t originally write from scratch.
In 1968, he adapted the French song “Comme d’habitude,” creating new English lyrics that would become “My Way.”
Frank Sinatra recorded the song in 1969, turning it into one of his signature performances.
The recording became a defining anthem of independence and reflection, eventually inspiring interpretations by artists across musical genres.
Anka also wrote “She’s a Lady,” a major hit for Tom Jones, and composed the familiar theme music for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
His songwriting success extended into the 1970s with his own recording of “(You’re) Having My Baby,” a No. 1 duet with Odia Coates.
More Than a Nostalgia Concert
Anka’s career has stretched across remarkable changes in popular music.
He emerged during the first wave of teenage rock and roll, shared the entertainment spotlight with the great traditional pop singers, and continued performing as new generations discovered his music through films, television, and contemporary recordings.
His repertoire includes upbeat early hits, orchestral pop arrangements, and the kind of romantic ballads that made him a favorite in concert halls and theaters around the world.
Over the years, he has also recorded interpretations of songs associated with other major artists, demonstrating his willingness to move beyond the music that first made him famous.
For longtime fans, the Foxwoods performance is a chance to revisit songs that accompanied important moments in their lives. Younger listeners may recognize more of Anka’s work than they realize, particularly the songs he wrote for other performers.
An Evening With a Pop Music Original
Few entertainers can claim a career that began before the Beatles arrived in America and continues well into the 21st century.
Anka’s music has remained familiar because so many of his compositions have outlived the era in which they were written.
His November 7 appearance at Foxwoods brings that musical legacy to the Premier Theater, offering an evening built around the songs and songwriting that made him an international star.
Guests should check their tickets and confirm the performance time with Foxwoods before attending.
Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.