0
0
Andy Williams was one of the most popular and beloved singers of the 20th century. He had a smooth and versatile voice that charmed millions of listeners around the world. He also hosted his own TV show, The Andy Williams Show, which won three Emmy Awards and featured many famous guests. He sold over 100 million albums and had numerous hit songs, such as “Moon River”, “Can’t Get Used to Losing You”, and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”.
Early Life and Career
Andy Williams was born on December 3, 1927, in Wall Lake, Iowa, to Jay and Florence Williams. He had three older brothers, Bob, Don, and Dick, who formed a singing group called the Williams Brothers. Andy joined them when he was eight years old, and they performed on radio stations and in movies. They sang with Bing Crosby on his hit song “Swinging on a Star” in 19441.
The group disbanded when the brothers were drafted into the military during World War II. Andy served in the Merchant Marine for a short time, and then moved to New York to pursue a solo career. He signed with Columbia Records in 1952, and had his first big hit with “Canadian Sunset” in 19562.
Music and TV Success
Andy Williams became a household name in the 1960s, when he started his own TV show, The Andy Williams Show, which ran from 1962 to 1971. The show featured comedy sketches, musical numbers, and guest stars, such as Elvis Presley, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and the Osmonds. Williams won praise for his relaxed and friendly style, and his show won three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety Series3.
Williams also recorded many successful albums and singles in the 1960s and 1970s, covering a wide range of genres, such as pop, jazz, country, and easy listening. He had 18 gold and three platinum albums, and was nominated for six Grammy Awards. Some of his most famous songs include “Moon River”, which won an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1961, “Can’t Get Used to Losing You”, which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, which became a Christmas classic4.
Personal Life and Legacy
Andy Williams married French actress and singer Claudine Longet in 1961, and they had three children, Noelle, Christian, and Robert. They divorced in 1975, after a scandal involving Longet’s shooting of her boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich. Williams stood by Longet during her trial, which resulted in a conviction of negligent homicide5.
Williams remarried in 1991, to Debbie Haas, a hotel executive. They lived in Branson, Missouri, where Williams opened his own theater, the Moon River Theatre, in 1992. He performed there regularly until 2011, when he announced that he had bladder cancer. He died on September 25, 2012, at the age of 846.
Andy Williams left behind a legacy of music and entertainment that spanned eight decades. He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. He was also honored by the Kennedy Center and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was admired by many fans and fellow artists, such as Ronald Reagan, who called him “a national treasure”, and Elton John, who said he had “the best voice in the business”7.
Andy Williams was a crooner with a golden voice and a warm personality. He had a remarkable career in music and TV, and touched the hearts of millions of people with his songs. He was a true legend and an icon of American culture.
