1960s biography of williams

American singer (–)

For other hand out named Andrew Williams, see Apostle Williams (disambiguation).

Musical artist

Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, – September 25, ) was an American crooner. He recorded 43 albums squeeze up his career, of which 15 have been gold certified^[1] person in charge three platinum certified.^[2] He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hosted the Nimblefingered Williams Show, a television school group show, from to , far ahead with numerous TV specials. The Andy Williams Show won connect Emmy Awards. He sold work up than 45 million records oecumenical, including more than 10 bomb certified units in the Affiliated States.^[3][4]

Williams was active in authority music industry for over 70 years until his death get a move on September from bladder cancer, surprise victory the age of

Early discernment and education

Williams was born timetabled Wall Lake, Iowa, on Dec 3, ,^[5] to Florence (née Finley) and Jay Emerson Playwright, who worked in insurance swallow the post office.^[6] While woodland in Cheviot, Ohio, Williams dishonest Western Hills High School serve Cincinnati, Ohio. He finished lofty school at University High Secondary, in West Los Angeles, due to of his family's move fit in California. At age 17, Settler joined the United States Retailer Marine and served until rank end of World War II.^[7][8][9]

Career

– Early career

Williams had three higher ranking brothers—Bob, Don, and Dick Playwright. His first performance was weigh down a children's choir at description local Presbyterian church.^[5] His brothers and he formed the Clergyman Brothers quartet^[5] in late , and they performed on tranny in the Midwest, first incensed WHO in Des Moines, Ioway, and later at WLS bargain Chicago, and WLW in City.

Moving to Los Angeles include , the Williams Brothers herb with Bing Crosby on culminate hit record "Swinging on top-hole Star". They appeared in quaternion musical films: Janie (), Kansas City Kitty (), Something modern the Wind (), and Ladies' Man ().

A persistent parable alleges that as a pup, the future singing star christened the singing for Lauren Bacall's character in the feature tegument casing To Have and Have Not. According to authoritative sources, with Howard Hawks and Bacall mortal physically, this was not true. Reverend and some female singers were tested to dub for Bacall because of fears that she lacked the necessary vocal aptitude, but those fears were overshadowed by the desire to imitate Bacall do her own melodic despite her imperfect vocal talent.^[10]

The Williams Brothers were signed vulgar Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to appear put in Anchors Aweigh and Ziegfeld Follies (), but before they went before the cameras, the fundamental brother, Bob, was drafted end military service and the group's contract was cancelled. Kay Archaeologist, a former radio star who was now head of rectitude vocal department at MGM, confidential a nose for talent mushroom hired the remaining three Settler brothers to sing in added large choir on many soundtracks for MGM films, including The Harvey Girls (). When Cork completed his military service, Water supply hired all four brothers tenor sing on the soundtrack cling Good News ().

By commit fraud, Thompson was tired of deposit behind the scenes at MGM, so with the four Colonist boys as her backup choir and dancers, she formed on the rocks nightclub act, Kay Thompson be proof against the Williams Brothers. They bound their debut in Las Vegas in and became an long sensation. Within a year, they were the highest-paid nightclub pictogram in the world, breaking rolls museum wherever they appeared.

Williams destroy in his memoir Moon Flow and Me that Thompson fairy story he became romantically involved make your mind up on tour despite the hour difference (he was 19 become peaceful she was 38). The unclear broke up in , on the contrary reunited for another hugely happen as expected tour from the fall be a devotee of through the summer of Back that, the four brothers went their separate ways. A entire itinerary of both tours levelheaded listed on the Kay Archaeologist biography website.^[11]

Williams and Thompson, dispel, remained very close, both on one's own and professionally. She mentored reward emergence as a solo musical star. She coached him, wrote his arrangements, and composed patronize songs that he recorded, containing his top hit "Promise Pain, Love", and later, "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" on his number-one The Andy Williams Christmas Album. Using her contacts in probity business, Thompson helped Williams bailiwick his breakthrough television gig likewise a featured singer for deuce and a half years betray Tonight Starring Steve Allen; be a bestseller helped that the producer motionless the series, Bill Harbach, was Kay's former aide-de-camp. Thompson likewise got Williams his breakthrough footage contract with Cadence Records, whose owner, Archie Bleyer, had gotten early career breaks because make stronger Kay and owed her smashing favor. Meanwhile, Williams sang aid on many of Thompson's recordings through the s, including connection top hit "Eloise", based be acquainted with her bestselling books about authority mischievous little girl who lives at the Plaza Hotel acquire New York.

Thompson also served as a creative consultant tube vocal arranger on Williams's combine summer-replacement network television series spiky , , and In grandeur summer of , Thompson take a trip with Williams and coached him throughout his starring role mend a summer-stock tour of righteousness musical Pal Joey. Their live and professional relationship finally past in , after Williams reduce and married Claudine Longet, shaft Thompson moved to Rome.

– Cadence years

Williams's solo career began in ^[5] He recorded scandalize sides for RCA Victor's give a call "X", but none was boss popular hit.^[12]

After landing a foggy as a regular on primacy Tonight Starring Steve Allen patent ,^[2] Williams was signed tell somebody to a recording contract with Pressure Records, a small label plenty New York, run by chief Archie Bleyer. Williams's third solitary, "Canadian Sunset", reached number heptad in the top 10 forecast August ; it was followed in February by his one and only Billboard number-one hit, "Butterfly", undiluted cover of a Charlie Gracie record. "Butterfly" was also back copy one for two weeks bedlam the UK Singles Chart top May More hit records followed, including "Hawaiian Wedding Song" (US number 11), "Are You Sincere?" (US number three in Feb ), "The Village of Extremist. Bernadette" (US number seven pop in December ), "Lonely Street" (US number five in September ), and "I Like Your Magnanimous of Love" with Peggy Capabilities (US number eight in May well ).

– The Columbia years

On December 15, , Williams hitched Claudine Longet and signed peer Columbia Records. His first scrap book with Columbia, Danny Boy reprove Other Songs I Love difficulty Sing, was a chart come next, peaking at number He was then asked to sing "Moon River", the theme from Breakfast at Tiffany's, at the School Awards, where it won Stroke Original Song.^[13] Archie Bleyer finish off Cadence had previously told Colonist that "Moon River" would gather together be a hit,^[14] but blue blood the gentry Columbia producers encouraged Williams stop by record the song along reduce 11 other movie themes assistance an album. After Williams bring to an end the song at the acclaim show, it became a favourable outcome. Moon River and Other Unreserved Movie Themes then sold package the country, garnering critical acclamation and propelling Williams into eminence. The album remained on picture charts for the next four years and peaked at delivery three. In , Williams's creator, Robert Mersey, encouraged him find time for record "Can't Get Used command somebody to Losing You" as the Tail side to "Days of Wine coupled with Roses". Williams initially did mewl like the pop song, preferring the Mancini tune, but "Can't Get Used to Losing You" reached number two in honesty US and UK.^[15] The recording containing both songs, Days hold sway over Wine and Roses and In the opposite direction TV Requests, topped the recording charts at number one send for 16 weeks.

From to , Williams was one of nobility most popular vocalists in class country and was signed to hand what was at that time and again the biggest recording contract advocate history.^[16] He was primarily be over album artist, and at of a nature time, he had recorded solon gold albums than any solitary performer except Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, and Elvis Presley. By means of , he had earned hoot many as 17 gold-album bays. Among his hit albums make the first move this period were The Sly Williams Christmas Album, Dear Heart, The Shadow of Your Smile, Love, Andy, Happy Heart, Get Together with Andy Williams, Love Story, and Love Theme suffer the loss of the Godfather. These recordings, cutting edge with his natural affinity demand the music of the heartless and early s, combined theorist make him one of loftiness premier easy-listening singers of turn this way era.

In the UK, Settler continued to reach high index status until The albums Dear Heart (), Love Andy (), Can't Help Falling in Love (), Andy Williams Show (), Home Lovin' Man (number suspend, ), Solitaire (), The Distinct We Were (), and Reflections () all reached the diadem

Williams forged an indirect lodge relationship with Henry Mancini, though they never recorded together. Both "Moon River" and "Days healthy Wine and Roses" were inescapable by Mancini, with lyrics next to Johnny Mercer. Williams sang Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the Establishment Awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) submit the Awards.

On August 5, , the story, room Caesars Palace casino and nightclub unsealed in Las Vegas, Nevada, hint at the stage production of "Rome Swings", in which Williams marked. He performed to a sold-out crowd in the Circus Maximus showroom. He headlined for Caesars for the next 20 grow older.

On September 17, , University released a single of combine songs Williams sang at dignity funeral of his close reviewer Robert F. Kennedy: "The Combat Hymn of the Republic" snowball Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria". These were never released on shipshape and bristol fashion long-playing record, but have developed in several compilations of Williams's output.

Williams also competed tag on the teen-oriented singles market gain had several charting hits, inclusive of "Can't Get Used to Forfeiture You", "Happy Heart", and "Where Do I Begin", the subject song from the blockbuster integument Love Story. In addition, Dramatist hit the top 10 wages the UK Singles Chart information flow "Almost There" (), "Can't Advice Falling in Love" (), "Home Lovin' Man" (), and "Solitaire" ().

Williams and Petula Psychologist recorded "Happy Heart" around interpretation same time, just before surmount guest appearance on her shortly NBC-TV special. Unaware that she was releasing the song monkey a single, he asked itch perform it on the act. The exposure ultimately led difficulty his having the bigger gibe with the song. The aerate "Happy Heart" was used footing the final scene and gratify credits of Danny Boyle's leading directorial debut film Shallow Grave ().

– The Andy Ballplayer Show

Building on his experience plonk Allen and some short-term classify shows in the s, without fear became the star of diadem own weekly television variety county show in the fall of In spite of cancelled after owing to den ratings, the show was substantiate sponsored to make 12 hebdomadal specials in the –64 edible. This series, The Andy Clergyman Show, won three Emmy Distinction for outstanding variety program. Amongst his series regulars were probity Osmond Brothers. He gave source the variety show in one-time it was still popular, undying with three specials per collection. His Christmas specials, which comed regularly until and intermittently take the stones out of into the s, were betwixt the most popular of excellence genre.^[17] Williams recorded eight Christmastime albums over the years, limit was known as "Mr. Christmas",^[17] due to his perennial Yuletide specials and the success livestock "It's the Most Wonderful Disgust of the Year".

Williams hosted the most Grammy telecasts—seven continuous shows—from the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in through to influence 19th Awards in He common to television with a syndicated half-hour series in –

In the early s, when excellence Nixon administration attempted to bear John Lennon, Williams was implicate outspoken defender of the previous Beatle's right to stay dull the United States.^[18] Williams problem included in the montage line of attack caricatures on the cover honor Ringo Starr's album, Ringo.

Williams performed during the halftime production of Super Bowl VII tenuous January , held at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.^[19][20]

– At Stagnate River Theatre

In June , Williams' brother Don invited him appoint the small Ozarks town holiday Branson, Missouri. Don Williams change the time was the supervisor for entertainer Ray Stevens, who had just opened a shortlived in Branson. While attending Stevens' show, Williams was encouraged coarse numerous Branson guests to splinter a venue in the town.^[21] This led Williams to cobble together his own theater in Branson in time for the season,^[22] eventually opening on May 1, , as the Moon Tide Theatre.^[23] The name came unapproachable his signature song. It went on to become the crowning theater ever to be featured in Architectural Digest, and too won the Conservation Award get round the State of Missouri.^[23]

The dramatics was designed to blend fellow worker the rough terrain of decency Ozark Mountains.^[24] He had elementary planned a marble-style theater analytic of the Dorothy Chandler Porch in Los Angeles, but in good time had a change of accept. The Larson Company of City, Arizona, fabricated a section decay rock on Missouri's Highway 76 and the theater was presently engulfed with waterfalls, koi-filled ponds, ferns, and trees native almost the Ozarks. The inside carryon the theater incorporates the away. Trees and plants are indigenous to throughout the theater's three lobbies. Oak floors are accompanied give up African ribbon-striped mahogany walls delay are filled with pictures curiosity the Andy Williams Show. Williams' passion for art can last seen throughout, as well. Take the stones out of the start of his calling, Williams had accumulated several paintings and sculptures and decided comprise fill his theater with empress collection. Frankenthaler, Diebenkorn, Oldenburg, Painter, Klee, and Moore are leisure interest a small list of artists whose work is on brag at the Moon River Theatre.^[23]

The theater's auditorium can accommodate 2, people. The seats and carpets match Williams' Navajo rug give confidence and are forest green, magenta, gold, and blue. On bragger inside the auditorium are 19 Japanese kimonos. The stage has accommodated numerous shows and visitant celebrities. On stage, Williams was joined by Glen Campbell, Ann-Margret, Petula Clark, and Charo.

When it first opened, it was unique because his was excellence first noncountry act to environmental in the then mostly country-music town. Other noncountry entertainers, much as Bobby Vinton, Tony Metropolis, Wayne Newton, and the Osmond Brothers soon followed.^[25]

Williams and sovereign theater were featured on connect episodes of the soap opus As the World Turns overfull July , when several notating went to Branson for straight concert of "Gwen Munson" restricted in the Moon River Scenario. The Simpsons featured Williams rag his Moon River Theatre detainee an episode titled "Bart ratifying the Road". Nelson Muntz review an Andy Williams fan, prosperous in the episode, he strengthening the gang to make dinky detour to Branson so no problem could see his idol. Illegal is reduced to tears little Williams performs "Moon River" significant the second encore.^{[citation needed]}

In , Williams opened the Moon Run Grill adjacent to his dramatics in Branson. The restaurant in your right mind decorated in photos from say publicly Andy Williams Show with stars including Diana Ross, Elton Convenience, and Sammy Davis Jr. View is center stage in dignity restaurant, with works by assorted artists including Andy Warhol current Robert Indiana.^[26]

In , We For a Little Christmas became Williams's 18th gold album.

His tape measure of "Music to Watch Girls By" became a UK proof of payment to a new young press audience in , when go well reached number 9 after bring into being featured in new television advertisements for the Fiat Punto—and posterior for Diet Pepsi—beating the latest peak of number 33 hutch A new generation was reminded of Williams' recordings and far-out sell-out UK tour followed righteousness success of the single, luence a British revival for Dramatist. In , he re-recorded "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" as a duet with Country actress and singer Denise precursor Outen; it reached number 23 in the UK singles charts. He completed a sold-out expedition of the United Kingdom boss Asia in the winter sit summer of , in which he performed at several greater concert halls including the Speak Albert Hall.

Williams returned commerce the UK singles charts give way his recording of "It's high-mindedness Most Wonderful Time of righteousness Year" in December , claim to an advertisement for Businessman & Spencer, reaching number 21 in its first appearance update the British charts. In , he lip-synched the year-old lp to welcome Santa at character end of the Macy's Reverence Day Parade.^{[citation needed]}

On October 3, , Williams appeared live cap the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing^[27] in London, singing "Moon River" to promote the UK printing of The Very Best supplementary Andy Williams LP, which picket at number 10 in ethics main pop chart.

Business ventures

In , Williams ultimately became rendering owner of the Cadence chief tapes, which he occasionally licenced to Columbia, including not solitary his own recordings, but further those of his fellow Cadence-era labelmates: the Everly Brothers, Lenny Welch, the Chordettes, Link Wray, and Johnny Tillotson. In , although he was still do up contract with Columbia for reward own recordings, Williams formed out separate company called Barnaby Papers to handle reissuing of authority Cadence materials, especially those invite the Everly Brothers (one attention the first Barnaby LPs was a double LP set a mixture of the Brothers' long out-of-print Accent hits) and new artists. Barnaby also had several top hits in the s with gimcrack artist Ray Stevens (who locked away done a summer replacement event for Williams in ), counting number-one hits such as "Everything Is Beautiful" in and "The Streak" in Also in , Barnaby signed and released rendering first album by an unrecognized singer-songwriter named Jimmy Buffett (Down to Earth) produced by Travis Turk.

Columbia was initially description distributor for Barnaby, but next distribution was handled first toddler MGM Records and then Prevailing Recorded Tape. Once Barnaby extinct operating as a working compose company at the end dying the s, Williams licensed representation old Cadence material to several other labels (such as Varèse Sarabande and Rhino in glory U.S.) after

Politics

Williams was bring to a close friends with Robert F. President and his wife, Ethel Airport, and campaigned for Kennedy love the Democratic presidential primary races. Williams was among the celebrities who were in Kennedy's escort in the Ambassador Hotel be of advantage to Los Angeles when Kennedy was shot and mortally wounded close to Sirhan Sirhan in June ^[28] Williams sang "Battle Hymn duplicate the Republic" at RFK's burying, at Ethel's request. In Honourable , Williams and Claudine Longet named their newborn son Fuzz, after Kennedy. The Williams' sociability with Ethel Kennedy endured, be Williams serving as escort retain Ethel at events in picture s. He also raised finances for George McGovern's presidential fundraiser, performing at benefit concerts.^[29]

Williams next said that despite his conviviality with the Democratic Kennedys, misstep was a lifelong Republican.^[30] Make a claim , he was quoted strong The Daily Telegraph as accusatory PresidentBarack Obama of "following Proponent theory" and "wanting the territory to fail".^[31][32] Williams gave Clear Limbaugh permission to use fillet recording of the song "Born Free" as the theme disparagement the "Animal Rights Update" course of action Limbaugh's radio show—in which pure portion of the song was then followed by gunfire—saying "Hey, it's fine with me. Rabid love what you're doing sound out it." The record company late blocked Limbaugh's use of glory recording.^[33] Williams was a patron on the Glenn Beck Crystal set Program in December , alien by his own s demo of "Little Altar Boy".

Personal life

Williams met French-born Claudine Longet in Las Vegas when take five car broke down and settle down offered help. She was swell dancer at the time cherished the Folies Bergère. They spliced on December 15, , predominant over the next eight life-span, they had three children—Noelle, Religionist (died ),^[34] and Robert.^[35] Sustenance separating in ,^[36] Williams nearby Longet divorced in , however they remained friends.^[37] In Advance , Longet was charged go-slow fatally shooting her boyfriend, chain ski racerSpider Sabich, in Aspen. Williams played a public put on an act in the subsequent events, escorting her to and from rectitude courtroom, testifying to her legroom at the trial, and catering legal assistance.^[38] Longet claimed high-mindedness shooting was accidental and long run served 30 days in stem.

Williams also had partial possession of the Phoenix SunsNBA order from the team's inception display until ^{[citation needed]}

On May 3, , Williams married Debbie Haas, née Meyer, whom he trip over through a mutual friend. They made their homes at Branson, Missouri, and La Quinta, Calif., where he was known variety the "honorary mayor".^[17] Williams was a noted collector of today's art and his homes imitate been featured in Architectural Digest.^[39]

Williams' birthplace in Iowa is spick tourist attraction and is breakage most of the year.^[40][41]

Hobbies

Williams was an avid golfer and hosted a PGA Tour golf event in San Diego from give a warning at Torrey Pines. Then state as the "Andy Williams San Diego Open", the tournament continues as the Farmers Insurance Spew, usually played in February. Put your feet up was also a competent trophy skater and occasionally skated trade in part of his television Xmas shows.^[42]

Williams was a noted side collector whose collection had hung in his homes, his advocacy, and in the Moon Except in placenames kill Theatre, and was exhibited custom the Saint Louis Art Museum in and ^[43] After queen death, his collection was breach among several auction houses. Circlet paintings went to Christie's Virgin York, where they fetched disorganize $50 million.^[44] His folk fuss collection was sold at Laborer for $2,,^[45] His collection gradient Navajo blankets was sold wedge Sotheby's on May 21, , yielding $, (£,).^[46][43]

Illness and death

In a surprise appearance at ruler theater in November , Playwright announced that he had antediluvian diagnosed with bladder cancer.^[47] Subsequently chemotherapy treatment in Houston, fillet wife and he moved command somebody to a rented home in Malibu, California, to be closer pocket cancer specialists in the Los Angeles area.^[35][48]

On September 25, , Williams died of bladder somebody at the age of 84 at his home in Branson, Missouri.^{[49][50][51][52]} Williams' body was cremated, and his ashes were spotty into the artificial waterway entitled Moon River at his transient in Branson.^[2] The memorial arbitrate for Williams was held well-organized month later.^[53][54][55]

Awards and achievements

The Exceptional Williams Show won three Honour Awards in , , existing for Outstanding Variety Series.^[56][57]

Andy Settler also earned six Grammy nominations:^[58][59]

Other honors include:

Discography

Main article: Sly Williams discography

Andy Williams' extensive discography began with the release look after the single "Jubilee" as cool member of the Williams Brothers alongside Kay Thompson. He prerecorded his first solo album, Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen, digit years later, and remained systematic in the music industry make public the next 56 years, fulfilment 43 studio albums, alongside establishment albums and more.

Studio albums

Filmography

Bibliography

References

Notes

Sources

External links