Methodist Hospital brought Paul Anka back to its 22nd annual Crystal Ball fundraiser at Pasadena Civic Center Saturday night (Oct. 29). Once again, the singer/songwriter who last entertained at the event in 2008, performed many of the hits he wrote and/or recorded during his 54-year career, sparking the audience to cheer, dance and sing-along with each song from “Puppy Love” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” to “My Way” and Michael Jackson’s “This is It.” <Story continues following the 2-minute highlight video below.>
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About half-a-million dollars in profit was raised for the hospital’s emergency services through the $400 per-seat tickets and some tables sold for as much as $30,000 for the five-hour evening of dinner, appreciation of special honorees Alan and Sandy Whitman, and the live entertainment, as well as silent and live auctions that drew bids approaching $10,000 for items such as a private jet trip and tickets to an Elton John concert in Singapore. Event co-chair and Arcadia City Councilman Mickey Segal of the Methodist Hospital Foundation board coaxed tens of thousands more dollars from the audience of dignitaries and supporters by asking for and receiving dozens of voluntary donations on the spot of $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, and $500 increments for no tangible return.
— By Scott Hettrick