'It's good to be back home': Performer, crowd equally pumped at Congress Centre gala

It was billed as a night to remember. And Paul Anka's home coming concert last night will be talked about for years.

The concert at the Congress Centre was part Las Vegas-style entertainment mixed with hometown pizzazz.

After a short film montage showing Mr. Anka as a teen idol, he appeared among the audience as a strain of his hit song Diana filled the hall.

"Good evening. By the way, it's good to be home," said Mr. Anka as worked his way through an admiring audience and onto the stage.

The crowd rose in appreciation and joined in singing Diana. It was quickly evident that Mr. Anka was pumped for the show as much as the audience.

"Here we are 21 years later," he said in reference to his last performance for Ottawa fans.

Earlier in the evening as guests arrived at the Congress Centre, there was a definite buzz in the air.

The guests, who were dressed in black tie and long gowns, walked up a red carpet and were greeted by Ashbury College students dressed as paparazzi who took their photos as they entered the hall for a private champagne reception. MPs mixed with lawyers, doctors, relatives of Mr. Anka and the Ottawa's movers and shakers for pre-show cocktails.

Some of the guests at the reception included former U.S. ambassador Gordon Giffin, Senator Wilbert Keon, Laurier LaPierre, Liberal MP Mac Harb, Senator Marjory Lebreton and several members of the Tannis family, including Souad Tannis, Mr. Anka's aunt.

Trudy Shepherd, mother of fashion retailer Marlene Shepherd, recalled seeing Mr. Anka for the first time in 1957.

"I was living in Vancouver and I went to see his show and I thought he was just wonderful. He put on an excellent show and I'm looking forward to another great show tonight.

Mike Duffy said one of his early assignments was to interview the young singer.

"I remember I interviewed Paul at the airport when he came back in 1971," said Mr. Duffy. He said he was struck Mr. Anka's professionalism and his confidence as an entertainer.

Deputy Prime Minster John Manley called Mr. Anka a global entertainer and said he was happy that the singer was finally returning home. "This is an exciting event," said Mr. Manley, whose riding includes Paul Anka Drive.

He said Ottawa has matured greatly and Mr. Anka is coming back at a time when the city is gladly welcoming him home.

Despite many offers from concert promoters to lure Mr. Anka home for a show, the 60-year-old singer has always declined to come back. It wasn't until the Canadian Liver Foundation approached him with an offer to do a benefit concert that he finally agreed.

Mr. Anka said he returned for the concert because his mother, Camelia, died from complications from liver disease when she was 37.

The gala, hosted by Jim Watson, president of the Canadian Tourism Commission, had more than 500 people for the five-course dinner. Mr. Manley also talked about the launch of organ donation week.

The benefit was dedicated to Haillie Crick, a 23-month-old Halifax girl who died from liver disease in December 2000. Haillie's aunt, Megan Tate, accepted a plaque on behalf of her niece.

The Canadian Liver Foundation was expected to raise $300,000 from the benefit, which also included a silent auction, raffle prizes and corporate donations.

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