Paul Anka's four decades in music have produced some of pop's biggest hits - now Bangkok gets to hear them live

Canadian singer Paul Anka broke onto the music scene in the 1950s with "Diana", a hit that brought screams and instant teen-idol status, then followed up with "Lonely Boy" and "Put Your Head On My Shoulder".

Since then, he's racked up songwriting credits such as the theme music for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", Tom Jones' biggest hit "She's a Lady" and the lyrics for Frank Sinatra's signature "My Way".

Chart toppers in Anka's four-decade career include "(You're) Having My Baby", "I Don't Like to Sleep Alone" and "One Man Woman/One Woman Man", and he was rediscovered by a younger crowd in 2005 thanks to album "Rock Swing", his collaboration with Michael Buble.

Before Anka and his crew hit the Bangkok stage next week, let's hear what he has in store for us.

What are you working on now?

I've been touring Europe, I'm writing my book - out in 2009, getting ready to come down to Asia and doing another CD that will come out in January.

What's the book about?

It's the story of my life, going back to the '50s when I first started in the business. It doesn't have a title yet.

How do you keep yourself inspired?

Well, once you know your craft, you start writing from your experiences. My last couple of albums have been rock. I've changed over the years, which refreshes my approach to writing.

What do you think of the music business now?

It's over. Technology and marketing are destroying the business. You have major artists like the Rolling Stones leaving a record company because they know they'll be tied up with technology and the how-and-the-when to strike with a product.

So how do you see yourself in the scene?

I don't know, because I don't really care. I've built my audience. They know what my music is. I'm not a new artist trying to get an audience. The music to me is all that matters.

You're not retiring soon, are you?

Oh no, no, no. It's never on my mind. If you want to stay healthy and spirited, you need to keep working. I look for the future, I don't live in the past.

What will the Bangkok show be like this time?

It's going to be very eclectic. I'll do stuff from "Rock Swing" and also bring two very special videos with me.