Lawrence.com

Jupiter Inlet Colony, Fla. — Perry Como, the crooning baritone barber famous for his relaxed vocals, cardigan sweaters and television Christmas specials, died Saturday after a lengthy illness.

Como died in his sleep at his home, his daughter Terry Thibadeau said. Some sources listed Como's age as 88; others said he was 87.

"We spent two beautiful hours (Friday) with dad, me and my grandson, Holden," Thibadeau told The Palm Beach Post. "We shared ice cream. It was a wonderful moment for us."

The charming Italian-American whose name became synonymous with mellow performed through seven decades, starting in the 1930s. His idol, the late singer Bing Crosby, once called Como "the man who invented casual."

Como left his job as a steel town barber to sing with big bands in the 1930s and his songs were a mainstay of radio and jukeboxes in the late 1940s. He helped pioneer variety shows on the new medium of television in the 1950s and performed on television specials over the last four decades. His music remained popular in recent years on easy-listening radio.

In 1945, Como had his first million-selling hit, "Till the End of Time." It was among many songs including "Prisoner of Love" that topped the charts. He competed with Frank Sinatra and Crosby to be the era's top crooner.

While Como emulated Crosby in his early years, some of his best-known numbers were light novelty songs like "Hot Diggity" and "Papa Loves Mambo." He made a brief foray into wartime movie musicals in Hollywood, but decided to pursue a career in radio.

Como often said he far preferred singing romantic ballads to some of the lightweight numbers, but the novelty songs were a frequent audience request.

"They get tired of hearing 'Melancholy Baby' and those mushy things," Como said in a 1994 interview. "But those are the songs that, as a singer, you love to sing."

Some music experts say Como, with his naturally melodic baritone voice, might have carved a deeper niche if he had taken firmer control of his material. Will Friedwald, author of "Jazz Singing" and an expert of music from Como's era, once called Como "a marvelous singer" who "seemed to do everything they put in front of him."

Como made his television debut in 1948 on NBC's "The Chesterfield Supper Club" and in 1950 he switched to CBS for "The Perry Como Show," which ran for five years. Como then returned to NBC for a variety show that ran for eight years, first on Saturday nights opposite Jackie Gleason, then on Tuesday night.

In 1963, he gave up the regular television show and began doing occasional specials. Rock 'n' roll had crowded out the crooners who once charmed hordes of screaming bobby-soxers.

His career saw a resurgence in the 1970s with songs like "It's Impossible," "And I Love You So" and several best-selling Christmas albums. In 1987, President Reagan presented Como with a Kennedy Center award for outstanding achievement in the performing arts. In 1994, Como put out a three-CD set including his most popular songs.

Como lived in a private semiretirement with his wife Roselle, whom he met at a picnic when he was 16 and married in 1933. They divided their time between the North Carolina mountains and the town of Jupiter where he played golf, took long, brisk walks and entertained his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Como died in August 1998, less than two weeks after she and Como celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.