Our radio pal, Jim Muma (aka Jim McKenzie) did such a magnificent job of paying tribute to Andy Williams on this second anniversary of his passing that Im sharing it with you here. Thanks, Jimmy! An engaging crooner, TV personality, and entrepreneur, Andy Williams was one of the most bankable and popular singers of his era. With his laid-back delivery, supple voice, and amiable charm, Williams rode a wave of success that took him from a childhood vocal act with his brothers to the worldwide fame as a solo artist, eventually finding latter-day success as a theater impresario in Branson, Missouri. Though he started out as a crooner in the post-Frank Sinatra style, his wide-ranging taste in music, (as evidenced by the guests on his 60s variety show), found him embracing artists and songs across generational and stylistic boundaries; and he can be heard on record interpreting songs that range from traditional pop to rock to bossa nova, country, and beyond. From the pre-rock & roll era onward, Williams was one of the most recognizable singers of the day. Born in Wall Lake, Iowa, December 3rd, 1928, Williams sang in his church choir and later formed a quartet with his three brothers. The group performed on radio throughout the Midwest, then moved to Los Angeles to make it in show business. The Williams Brothers Quartet appeared on Bing Crosbys 1944 hit Swinging on a Star and appeared with comedienne Kay Thompson during the late 40s. Andy Williams finally began his solo career in 1952, making several appearances on Steve Allens, The Tonight Show before signing a contract with Archie Bleyers Cadence Records in 1955. He hit the top 10 in 1956 with his third single for the label, Canadian Sunset. One year later, his soft-toned cover of the Charlie Gracie rockabilly tune Butterfly hit number one. Additional top ten entries Are You Sincere, Lonely Street, and The Village Of St. Bernadette followed before Williams moved to Columbia in 1961. In 1963, he scored a #2 pop hit with, Cant Get Used To Losing You, which also peaked at #1 on the A. C. charts, #7 on the R & B survey and finished its run at #2 in the UK. Andy Williams recorded 42 studio albums, 17 of which (along with the 1970 compilation Andy Williams Greatest Hits), received Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. And no Christmas season was complete without the family sitting down viewing The Andy Williams Christmas Specials. In 1991, Andy opened the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri, where he appeared regularly. In 2007, Williams opened the Moon River Grill, adjacent to the theater. In declining health, Williams returned to the theater in 2011, where he confirmed that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. He passed away September 25th, 2012, at the age of 84, at his home in Branson.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:06:35 +0000