JUPITER INLET BEACH COLONY, FL - Perry Como, the baritone singer barber known for his relaxed vocal style, died in his sleep Saturday after a lengthy illness at 87, AP reported today.

Como left his job as a steel town barber to sing with big bands in the 1930s and his songs were a mainstay of radio and jukeboxes in the late 1940s.

Como helped pioneer variety shows on the new medium of television in the 1950s and performed on television specials over the last four decades. His music remained popular in recent years on easy-listening radio.

In 1945, Como had his first million-selling hit, "Till the End of Time." It was among many songs including "Prisoner of Love" that topped the charts. He competed with Frank Sinatra and Crosby to be the era's top crooner.