TORONTO - Paul Anka was saluted Saturday night with a star-studded tribute that inducted him into Canada's Songwriters Hall of Fame and which saw him re-write the words to one of his most famous songs.
Taking the stage to sing his 1969 classic, ''My Way,'' made famous by Frank Sinatra, Anka changed the lyrics to offer thanks to his homeland for recognizing his remarkable five-decade career.
''Dear Canada, you've humbled me with this prestigious legacy,'' Anka crooned to the delight of the crowd, which included fellow inductee Claude Dubois and folk icon Gordon Lightfoot in the front row.
''To each of you, I say: 'Merci beaucoup and I thank you, my way.''
Moments earlier, the 66-year-old singer took a bow before a standing ovation and embraced friend and former prime minister Jean Chretien, who inducted him into the hall of fame with a speech peppered with references to five songs specially recognized Saturday.
''That song takes me back to my early dating days,'' Chretien said of Anka's first hit, ''Diana.''
Drawing repeated chuckles, Chretien went on to say his wife Aline _ ''she's a lady,'' he mentions as an aside _ has put her head on his shoulder for 55 years.
''Paul Anka and I have had another love in our lives,'' Chretien continued.
''For you, Paul it was music and for me it was politics. And now, after more than 40 years, people will say what they will, but it does not matter any more. Because we can both say: I did it my way.''
The gala saw 23 songs inducted this year, including five by Anka: ''Diana,'' ''Put Your Head on My Shoulder,'' ''It Doesn't Matter Anymore,'' ''My Way'' and ''She's a Lady.''
Earlier, Chretien told reporters that his ties to the Anka family go back decades, noting the superstar's Lebanese parents settled in Shawinigan, Que., his hometown. The former prime minister said his brother was doctor to the Anka family and that he remembers that one of Anka's uncles played hockey.
"There is a personal link to him and I followed his career,'' Chretien said before the gala.
"He had a fabulous career going on since he was 16 or 17 and some of his songs that he composed 50 years ago are still very popular. Some of the great hits of the last 50 years were written by him, so I'm very happy that we're honouring him tonight.''
Also inducted Saturday was Quebec songwriter Claude Dubois, whose songs have been covered by French artists around the world.
Dubois was introduced by folk singer Raymond Levesque and appeared emotional as the two men embraced. In offering thanks, Dubois said he initially wondered where the hall of fame was located.
''Where is the temple, which street, which address? Because I was looking for it and finally I find out _ it's a song,'' said Dubois, whose five inducted songs include ''Artistes,'' ''Comme un million de gens,'' ''Femme de reve'', ''Le Labrador,'' and ''L'infidele.''
''Thank you.''
Other songs inducted Saturday included Oscar Peterson's ''Canadiana Suite,'' Anna McGarrigle's ''Heart Like a Wheel,'' and ''Love Child,'' made famous by Diana Ross and the Supremes, but written by a group of Canadians _ R. Dean Taylor, Deke Richards, Pam Sawyer and Frank Wilson.
Other performers Saturday included father-and-son jazz musicians Ellis and Branford Marsalis in a tribute to late pianist Oscar Peterson.
Friend and jazz pianist Oliver Jones performed Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom'' and said the Montreal-born artist has been missed by many.
"This year, I know I'm doing concerts in Switzerland and France, Japan, all these places, Spain, that are going to honour Mr. Peterson,'' Jones said before taking the stage.
"And I've been called to do at least six or seven others. It just shows you the impact that he has had on the jazz world. It's a great loss.''
Peterson's wife Kelly accepted the Frank Davies Legacy Award, which recognizes national and international contributions on the stage, on her husband's behalf, saying he was thrilled last year when told he would be recognized. Peterson passed away in December.
Before the show, Dubois offered an impromptu performance backstage when he was presented with his custom-made guitar, engraved with the name of his hit, ''Femme de reve.''
Anka was presented with a custom-made guitar with the title of his song ''She's a Lady'' engraved into one of the frets.
