SINGAPORE -United Overseas Bank held its 80th anniversary dinner on Thursday night (Nov 12).
After guests had enjoyed a delicious dinner, complete with wines, dessert was served. But there was an even sweeter ending. The bank pulled out a surprise treat for the guests and employees present - legendary pop and jazz superstar Paul Anka.
The crooner opened with "Diana"and proceeded to rouse the crowd with a string of popular hits including "New York, New York" and "Times of Your Life".
Here were some highlights:
1. While singing "Times of Your Life", Mr Anka played a video he had prepared showing photos from his past and present. Some photos were of him with celebrity friends he has worked with, including Celine Dion and Michael Buble. He also showed off photos of his family. The crooner shared that he had five adult daughters and a 10-year-old son named Ethan.
2. Mr Anka often left the stage to sing and dance with the crowd, even waltzing with audience members with mic in hand. He even managed to persuade a few members of the UOB team to take the mic and sing along.
3. Mr Anka was flown in with a 10-piece band and five-member crew. In addition to his own band members, five brass musicians and the 31-piece Metropolitan Festival Orchestra from Singapore supported the performance, creating a spectacular, big band atmosphere.
4. After a rousing performance of "My Way", a song he wrote for Frank Sinatra in 1967, Mr Anka sang the song a second time - but with the lyrics changed for UOB and Singapore:
Three cheers for 80 years
The world reveres
The best in banking
Chairman E and UOB
Respectfully, it's you we're thanking
Tonight it seems so right
With great delight
The Singapore way
For all you do
This song's for you
Here's My Way
Your way
Among, the praises sung
Is Wee Ee Cheong
He's in the know here
Agreed, with style and speed
He takes the lead, as CEO here
Feels great to celebrate
This milestone date
In such resplendence
Pure glee, your jubilee, a half-century
Of independence
80 grand years as we reflect
You've earned our trust and our respect
Steeped in tradition, that's well-known
Embracing progress as you've grown
Still going strong
My way's your song
