Earlier today it was reported that Paul Anka would be performing “My Way,” with lyrics customized for the incoming President, but he told TMZ that that’s actually not the case.

With so many liberals in the entertainment industry turning up their nose and thinking they are too good to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, there are those who still consider it an honor to perform for the president.

Anka said, “The President-Elect is an old friend of mine for 50 years, there was a dialogue to do it, ‘My Way’ is his favorite song, but… I’ve been in a custody battle for two years for my son Ethan, and we have a new schedule now and I’m unable to do it.”

He added, “I have a respect for the office of the Presidency and an American, and Im doing this…I was doing it in terms of what’s good for our country and respecting the Presidency.”

When asked if his views match Donald Trump’s, he said “You have a better chance getting sunrise past a rooster on that one.”

Watch the video below via TMZ.

After word broke that award-winning Broadway performer Jennifer Holliday had decided to back out of performing at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, it was reported Saturday that opera tenor Andrea Bocelli also decided against performing after receiving death threats and not because he feared boycotts as was originally reported.

The Daily Mail reports:

When blind tenor Bocelli announced he would not sing at this Friday’s celebration, it was widely reported it was because fans had said they would boycott his concerts and records.

But a source said the 58-year-old had been determined to ‘press ahead’ and sing but had pulled out on the advice of his security team after receiving threats to his life.

A source close to Bocelli, a friend of Trump’s, said: ‘Andrea is very sad to be missing the chance to sing at such a huge global event but he has been advised it is simply not worth the risk.’

Bocelli, who is blind, is a crossover Italian tenor who gained fame as an opera singer, but has also recorded pop albums. He has sold a total of 80 million records worldwide.

It was reported in December that Bocelli had decided against performing at the inauguration after approaching Trump and offering to perform. Trump, according to inaugural committee chairman Thomas J. Barrack Jr., told his friend it was not required and he would still be welcome at the White House.

Holliday pulled out after she received backlash online, particularly from her LGBT supporters.

 

ORIGINAL STORY AS REPORTED EARLIER:

From Radar Online:

President Donald Trump did it his way — and Paul Anka will let him know it!

A source close to the “(You’re) Having My Baby” crooner, 75, told Radar exclusively that he will buck the trend of most singers and perform his song “My Way” at the Inauguration January 20. . .with lyrics re-written for the incoming Commander-In-Chief!

“Paul was asked by the members of the Trump inauguration committee and he was only too happy to do it for his longtime friend,” said an Anka insider.

“While everyone else was running scared from performing at the inauguration, Paul stood fast,” the source added. “He wasn’t about to be intimated by anyone!”

Anka wrote such well-known music as the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and one of Tom Jones’s biggest hits, “She’s a Lady.”

He also wrote the English lyrics for Frank Sinatra’s signature song, “My Way,” which has been covered by many including Elvis Presley.

“Now, Paul has re-written those lyrics especially for Donald Trump, which he will perform during the inaugural dance for Donald and his lovely First Lady, Melania” said the source.

So far, we know that Jackie Evancho will be there along with the New York Rockettes and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Trump is truly a man of the people and not the Hollywood elite it would seem and this bears that out. The important people will be there… the common man. The rest can stuff it as far as America is concerned.

You know who else will be there? The military, the police and the first responders who all love Donald Trump. Bikers for Trump is bringing a huge crowd and they will be there to counter protesters against the new President-elect. It’s going to be a wild party with or without celebrities. Things are turning in the US and America is just not that into A-listers anymore. But Paul Anka’s friendship to Trump has always been solid.

And in the end, it was the common man who elected Trump, not Hollywood. The last president was Hollywood’s and look where that got us. Point made.