Chretien to induct Anka into Songwriters Hall of Fame

Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Anka will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame along with several others, as well as 22 tunes, at a gala in Toronto on Saturday night.

The Ottawa-born Anka, whose long list of credits includes My Way, She's a Lady, Puppy Love, Lonely Boy, Put Your Head On My Shoulder and Diana, will be inducted by former prime minister Jean Chrétien. The two have known each other for decades.

"He knew my uncle years ago in Shawinigan," Anka revealed, referring to Chrétien's Quebec hometown.

"I said, 'I'm Canadian, and I'm proud of it. Let me get another proud Canadian,' " said the 66-year-old performer, who sang at Chrétien's Toronto tribute when the former leader stepped down as head of the Liberal party in 2003.

Anka, who has garnered membership in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Canada's Walk of Fame, says he feels especially delighted by Canadian tributes.

Living in the U.S. for some time now, he has previously said he felt snubbed by his homeland as his career skyrocketed and his songwriting business exploded, crafting tunes for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and Buddy Holly.

"I think there was always some kind of a subliminal sense of, you know, why did you leave us and go there, but I mean, it was a necessity, you couldn't really make it internationally."

Anka will perform at Saturday night's gala — co-hosted by CBC Radio's Gregory Charles — accompanied by music producer David Foster.

Oscar Peterson to get special tribute

Other major tributes will include father and son jazz artists Ellis and Branford Marsalis in a salute to the late pianist Oscar Peterson, who will be honoured with the Frank Davies Legacy Award.

Peterson passed way in December of kidney failure at his Mississauga home. He was 82.

Quebec songwriter Claude Dubois will be inducted by songwriter Raymond Lévesque and serenaded by Quebec singer Martine St. Clair.

Other inductees include Alex Kramer and francophone artist André Lejeune, with performances from Serena Ryder, jazz singer Dione Taylor, jazz pianist Oliver Jones and folk legends Anna and Kate McGarrigle.

The McGarrigles will sing Anna's song Heart Like a Wheel with Anna's daughter Lily Lanken and Kate's offspring Rufus and Martha Wainwright.

Highlights of the songwriters gala will be broadcast on CBC Radio Two on Sunday, with a special Paul Anka interview starting at 7 p.m., and on CBC Radio One on Monday. CBC-TV will also air the gala Monday night.