Singer Paul Anka shared his experiences under the communist regimes of the Soviet Union era, highlighting the differences between such regimes and the freedoms found in America. During an appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random,” Anka discussed his performances in Poland and Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. He described the bleak conditions, noting, “We check in a hotel, one bathroom for the whole floor, no room service, and dark and bleak.”
Bill Maher criticized communism for its failures and expressed frustration over current sympathy for communism among young people. “It makes me so frustrated when I see so much sympathy for communism among kids today because they just are not taught history,” Maher said. He emphasized that personal experiences like Anka’s serve as stark reminders of communism’s inefficiencies.
Anka elaborated on the severe shortages people faced in Poland and Czechoslovakia, explaining how he and his band gave away their clothes and left with empty suitcases. “Everyone in my band and myself, we left everything we brought. I left my clothes, everything,” he explained.
Maher further condemned communism, arguing it is a system that does not work. “I don’t know what debate you were having around the bratwurst barrel there at 12:30 at night when you were 22 years old arguing for America, but my argument would be you’re standing in line for a potato,” Maher said.
Anka recounted that his journey to Poland started after meeting the country’s president on a flight, which led to a State Department invitation to perform there. His initial impressions were grim. “It wasn’t like going to Vegas. It’s Poland we’re talking about,” he recalled, noting the scarcity of amenities and food options.
During his time in Poland, Anka learned about President John F. Kennedy’s assassination from Radio Free Europe, which moved him to tears. “I think Kennedy has just been killed,” he said, adding that he informed the audience of his departure due to the tragic news.
In similar circumstances in Czechoslovakia, Anka encountered a woman who debated with him about the nature of the United States and communism. Following the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, she reached out to Anka for help with her daughter’s education. “I sent her the money. I put the kid through school,” Anka said.
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