Paul Anka is set to receive the BMI Icon Award at the 2026 BMI Pop Awards on May 12 at Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The pop trailblazer’s career began in 1957, when he was not yet 16, with the global smash “Diana.” He followed that song with such other hits as “Lonely Boy” and “(You’re) Having My Baby,” both of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” “Puppy Love” and “Times of Your Life,” all of which made the top 10.
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“Throughout an unparalleled and distinguished career, Paul Anka has captured timelessness, writing himself into the soundtrack of popular music where greatness isn’t just a moment, but a lifelong crescendo,” Barbara Cane, BMI’s vp, worldwide creative, said in a statement. “Paul’s words, melodies and artistry transcend decades and eras, and we’re thrilled to honor him as a BMI Icon. We’re also excited to celebrate and recognize the undeniable talent of all BMI’s brilliant, award-winning songwriters and publishers that we’re privileged to represent. It’s going to be an evening to remember.”
Anka has recorded more than 120 albums in a variety of languages. He has landed 48 songs on the Hot 100, including 10 that made the top 10. He had a top 10 album on the Billboard 200 in 1974 with Anka. His many other career highlights include writing the English-language lyric for “My Way,” which was Frank Sinatra’s signature song for more than a decade following its 1968 arrival, and composing “Johnny’s Theme,” the jaunty theme song for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Anka has received 24 BMI Awards and was honored at the 71st Annual BMI/NAB Dinner in 2019. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986 and received the SHOF’s top honor, the Johnny Mercer Award, in 2008. He is a recipient of stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Canada Walk of Fame. Recently, Anka released his newest studio album, Inspirations of Life and Love, was the subject of an HBO documentary, Paul Anka: His Way, and announced the development of an autobiographic Broadway musical written by Rupert Holmes.
Previous recipients of the BMI Icon award include Anka’s fellow Canadian David Foster, as well as Barry Manilow, Bee Gees, Brian Wilson, Carlos Santana, Carole King, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Dolly Parton, The Jacksons, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Merle Haggard, Nile Rodgers, Paul Simon, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Willie Nelson, Mike Stoller and Carole Bayer Sager.
BMI’s pop song of the year, songwriter of the year, publisher of the year and BMI’s 50 most-performed pop songs in the U.S. of the previous year will also be named at BMI Pop Awards. Cane will be joined in hosting the private event by BMI CEO Mike O’Neill; evp, chief revenue & creative officer Mike Steinberg; vp, creative, NY Samantha Cox; and vp, creative, LA Tracie Verlinde.