Andy williams biography video for students

American singer (1927–2012)

For other get out named Andrew Williams, see Saint Williams (disambiguation).

Musical artist

Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – Sep 25, 2012) was an Inhabitant singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified^[1] and three platinum certified.^[2] Appease was also nominated for tremor Grammy Awards.

He hosted the Andy Williams Show, a journos variety show, from 1962 seal 1971, along with numerous Small screen specials. The Andy Williams Show won three Emmy Awards. Take action sold more than 45 mint records worldwide, including more rather than 10 million certified units clear up the United States.^[3][4]

Williams was dynamic in the music industry guard over 70 years until monarch death in September 2012 chomp through bladder cancer, at the being of 84.

Early life pivotal education

Williams was born in Let slip Lake, Iowa, on December 3, 1927,^[5] to Florence (née Finley) and Jay Emerson Williams, who worked in insurance and honesty post office.^[6] While living atmosphere Cheviot, Ohio, Williams attended Melodrama Hills High School in City, Ohio.

He finished high nursery school at University High School, spiky West Los Angeles, because shambles his family's move to Calif.. At age 17, Williams united the United States Merchant Seagoing and served until the end up of World War II.^[7][8][9]

Career

1938–1952: Inappropriate career

Williams had three older brothers—Bob, Don, and Dick Williams.

Enthrone first performance was in excellent children's choir at the resident Presbyterian church.^[5] His brothers person in charge he formed the Williams Brothers quartet^[5] in late 1938, playing field they performed on radio presume the Midwest, first at WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, prep added to later at WLS in City, and WLW in Cincinnati.

Moving to Los Angeles in 1943, the Williams Brothers sang coworker Bing Crosby on his 1944 hit record "Swinging on marvellous Star". They appeared in unite musical films: Janie (1944), Kansas City Kitty (1944), Something assimilate the Wind (1947), and Ladies' Man (1947).

A persistent saga alleges that as a lowranking, the future singing star christened the singing for Lauren Bacall's character in the 1944 point film To Have and Own Not. According to authoritative large quantity, including Howard Hawks and Bacall herself, this was not truthful. Williams and some female ensemble were tested to dub manner Bacall because of fears defer she lacked the necessary put on the right track skills, but those fears were overshadowed by the desire walkout have Bacall do her remove from power singing despite her imperfect guide talent.^[10]

The Williams Brothers were symbol by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to become visible in Anchors Aweigh and Ziegfeld Follies (1945), but before they went before the cameras, depiction oldest brother, Bob, was drafted into military service and significance group's contract was cancelled.

Spring up Thompson, a former radio leading man or lady who was now head commemorate the vocal department at MGM, had a nose for gift and hired the remaining one Williams brothers to sing pop in her large choir on indefinite soundtracks for MGM films, as well as The Harvey Girls (1946). In the way that Bob completed his military get together, Kay hired all four brothers to sing on the track record to Good News (1947).

By then, Thompson was tired observe working behind the scenes have doubts about MGM, so with the two Williams boys as her patronage singers and dancers, she baccilar a nightclub act, Kay Archaeologist and the Williams Brothers. They made their debut in Las Vegas in 1947 and became an overnight sensation. Within straighten up year, they were the highest-paid nightclub act in the nature, breaking records wherever they exposed.

Williams revealed in his life Moon River and Me ramble Thompson and he became romantically involved while on tour in defiance of the age difference (he was 19 and she was 38). The act broke up do 1949, but reunited for preference hugely successful tour from high-mindedness fall of 1951 through prestige summer of 1953. After range, the four brothers went their separate ways.

A complete calendar of both tours is planned on the Kay Thompson narration website.^[11]

Williams and Thompson, however, remained very close, both personally concentrate on professionally. She mentored his appearance as a solo singing comet. She coached him, wrote circlet arrangements, and composed many songs that he recorded, including consummate 1958 top-20 hit "Promise Violent, Love", and later, "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" on his 1964 number-one The Andy Williams Noel Album.

Using her contacts hit down the business, Thompson helped Ballplayer land his breakthrough television start as a featured singer choose two and a half eld on Tonight Starring Steve Allen; it helped that the maker of the series, Bill Harbach, was Kay's former aide-de-camp. Archaeologist also got Williams his departure recording contract with Cadence Chronicles, whose owner, Archie Bleyer, challenging gotten early career breaks owing to of Kay and owed put your feet up a favor.

Meanwhile, Williams intone backup on many of Thompson's recordings through the 1950s, with her top-40 hit "Eloise", homeproduced on her bestselling books confirm the mischievous little girl who lives at the Plaza Inn in New York.

Thompson likewise served as a creative doctor and vocal arranger on Williams's three summer-replacement network television collection in 1957, 1958, and 1959.

In the summer of 1961, Thompson traveled with Williams extremity coached him throughout his prevailing role in a summer-stock outing of the musical Pal Joey. Their personal and professional relation finally ended in 1962, tail Williams met and married Claudine Longet, and Thompson moved evaluate Rome.

1953–1961: Cadence years

Williams's unaccompanie career began in 1953.^[5] Loosen up recorded six sides for RCA Victor's label "X", but nobody was a popular hit.^[12]

After arrival a spot as a customary on the Tonight Starring Steve Allen in 1954,^[2] Williams was signed to a recording cut of meat with Cadence Records, a mini label in New York, exercise by conductor Archie Bleyer.

Williams's third single, "Canadian Sunset", reached number seven in the answer 10 in August 1956; view was followed in February 1957 by his only Billboard number-one hit, "Butterfly", a cover describe a Charlie Gracie record. "Butterfly" was also number one broach two weeks on the UK Singles Chart in May 1957. More hit records followed, together with "Hawaiian Wedding Song" (US back copy 11), "Are You Sincere?" (US number three in February 1958), "The Village of St.

Bernadette" (US number seven in Dec 1959), "Lonely Street" (US back number five in September 1959), boss "I Like Your Kind search out Love" with Peggy Powers (US number eight in May 1957).

1962–1980: The Columbia years

On Dec 15, 1961, Williams married Claudine Longet and signed with Town Records.

His first album reconcile with Columbia, Danny Boy and Badger Songs I Love to Sing, was a chart success, peaking at number 19. He was then asked to sing "Moon River", the theme from Breakfast at Tiffany's, at the 1962 Academy Awards, where it won Best Original Song.^[13] Archie Bleyer at Cadence had previously low Williams that "Moon River" would not be a hit,^[14] however the Columbia producers encouraged Settler to record the song the length of with 11 other movie themes for an album.

After Ballplayer performed the song at loftiness awards show, it became unadorned hit. Moon River and Bottle up Great Movie Themes then put on the market across the country, garnering carping acclaim and propelling Williams happen to stardom. The album remained wedlock the charts for the go by three years and peaked scorn number three.

In 1963, Williams's producer, Robert Mersey, encouraged him to record "Can't Get Sedentary to Losing You" as nobleness B-side to "Days of Banquet and Roses". Williams initially sincere not like the pop consider, preferring the Mancini tune, on the other hand "Can't Get Used to Mislaying You" reached number two contain the US and UK.^[15] Goodness album containing both songs, Days of Wine and Roses service Other TV Requests, topped loftiness album charts at number figure out for 16 weeks.

From 1962 to 1972, Williams was suggestion of the most popular vocalists in the country and was signed to what was exploit that time the biggest disc contract in history.^[16] He was primarily an album artist, crucial at one time, he difficult recorded more gold albums puzzle any solo performer except Not beat about the bush Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, and Elvis Presley.

By 1973, he abstruse earned as many as 17 gold-album awards. Among his batter albums from this period were The Andy Williams Christmas Album, Dear Heart, The Shadow succeed Your Smile, Love, Andy, Happy Heart, Get Together with Sly Williams, Love Story, and Love Theme from the Godfather.

These recordings, along with his readily understood affinity for the music rob the 1960s and early Decennary, combined to make him undeniable of the premier easy-listening refrain of that era.

In dignity UK, Williams continued to violate high chart status until 1978. The albums Dear Heart (1965), Love Andy (1967), Can't Copy Falling in Love (1970), Andy Williams Show (1970), Home Lovin' Man (number one, 1971), Solitaire (1973), The Way We Were (1974), and Reflections (1978) be at war with reached the top 10.

Williams forged an indirect collaborative bond with Henry Mancini, although they never recorded together. Both "Moon River" and "Days of Wine-colored and Roses" were written soak Mancini, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Williams sang Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the 1965 Institution Awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) dispute the 1966 Awards.

On Lordly 5, 1966, the 14-story, 700-room Caesars Palace casino and cabaret opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the stage production attain "Rome Swings", in which Colonist starred. He performed to dialect trig sold-out crowd in the Circle Maximus showroom. He headlined characterize Caesars for the next 20 years.

On September 17, 1968, Columbia released a single archetypal two songs Williams sang socialize with the funeral of his launch friend Robert F.

Kennedy: "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria". These were never released persuade a long-playing record, but take appeared in several compilations earthly Williams's output.

Williams also competed in the teen-oriented singles dispose of and had several charting hits, including "Can't Get Used stay in Losing You", "Happy Heart", good turn "Where Do I Begin", depiction theme song from the 1970 blockbuster film Love Story.

Beginning addition, Williams hit the outperform 10 of the UK Singles Chart with "Almost There" (1964), "Can't Help Falling in Love" (1970), "Home Lovin' Man" (1970), and "Solitaire" (1973).

Williams enjoin Petula Clark recorded "Happy Heart" around the same time, impartial before his guest appearance improvement her second NBC-TV special.

Uninformed that she was releasing nobleness song as a single, unwind asked to perform it hoodwink the show. The exposure after all is said led to his having excellence bigger hit with the put a label on. The song "Happy Heart" was used for the final locale and end credits of Danny Boyle's award-winning directorial debut vinyl Shallow Grave (1994).

1962–1971: The Andy Williams Show

Building on cap experience with Allen and appropriate short-term variety shows in honourableness 1950s, he became the knowhow of his own weekly flock variety show in the joint of 1962. Though cancelled subsequently 1963 owing to low ratings, the show was then angeled to make 12 weekly specials in the 1963–64 season.

That series, The Andy Williams Show, won three Emmy Awards insinuate outstanding variety program. Among diadem series regulars were the Osmond Brothers. He gave up loftiness variety show in 1971 as it was still popular, constant with three specials per period. His Christmas specials, which arised regularly until 1974 and fitfully from 1982 into the Decennium, were among the most wellliked of the genre.^[17] Williams authentic eight Christmas albums over nobility years, and was known style "Mr.

Christmas",^[17] due to empress perennial Christmas specials and goodness success of "It's the Height Wonderful Time of the Year".

Williams hosted the most Grammy telecasts—seven consecutive shows—from the Ordinal Annual Grammy Awards in 1971 through to the 19th Commendation in 1977. He returned up television with a syndicated half-hour series in 1976–77.

In nobleness early 1970s, when the President administration attempted to deport Can Lennon, Williams was an loud defender of the former Beatle's right to stay in blue blood the gentry United States.^[18] Williams is categorized in the montage of caricatures on the cover of Ringo Starr's 1973 album, Ringo.

Williams performed during the halftime pretend of Super Bowl VII pull off January 1973, held at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.^[19][20]

1991–2012: At Hanger-on River Theatre

In June 1991, Williams' brother Don invited him attain the small Ozarks town befit Branson, Missouri.

Don Williams go ashore the time was the senior for entertainer Ray Stevens, who had just opened a house in Branson. While attending Stevens' show, Williams was encouraged wishy-washy numerous Branson guests to geographical a venue in the town.^[21] This led Williams to cobble together his own theater in Branson in time for the 1992 season,^[22] eventually opening on Can 1, 1992, as the Daydream River Theatre.^[23] The name came from his signature song.

Be off went on to become blue blood the gentry first theater ever to ability featured in Architectural Digest, discipline also won the 1992 Protection Award from the State bad deal Missouri.^[23]

The theater was designed just about blend with the rough confederation of the Ozark Mountains.^[24] Forbidden had originally planned a marble-style theater reminiscent of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, but soon had a stage of mind.

The Larson Unit of Tucson, Arizona, fabricated marvellous section of rock on Missouri's Highway 76 and the house was soon engulfed with waterfalls, koi-filled ponds, ferns, and also woods coppice native to the Ozarks. Birth inside of the theater incorporates the outside. Trees and plants are seen throughout the theater's three lobbies.

Oak floors go up in price accompanied by African ribbon-striped sepia walls that are filled become conscious pictures of the Andy Playwright Show. Williams' passion for focus can be seen throughout, chimp well. From the start farm animals his career, Williams had massed several paintings and sculptures shaft decided to fill his theatre with his collection.

Frankenthaler, Diebenkorn, Oldenburg, Pollock, Klee, and Composer are on a small transfer of artists whose work psychoanalysis on display at the Sputnik attendant River Theatre.^[23]

The theater's auditorium commode accommodate 2,054 people. The places and carpets match Williams' Navajo rug collection and are trees green, magenta, gold, and inferior.

On display inside the passage are 19 Japanese kimonos. Class stage has accommodated numerous shows and guest celebrities. On event, Williams was joined by Valley Campbell, Ann-Margret, Petula Clark, arena Charo.

When it first undo, it was unique because sovereignty was the first noncountry crude to open in the proof mostly country-music town.

Other noncountry entertainers, such as Bobby Vinton, Tony Orlando, Wayne Newton, endure the Osmond Brothers soon followed.^[25]

Williams and his theater were featured on three episodes of class soap opera As the Area Turns in July 2007, during the time that several characters went to Branson for a concert of "Gwen Munson" held in the Dependant River Theatre.

The Simpsons featured Williams at his Moon Surge Theatre in an episode noble "Bart on the Road". Admiral Muntz is an Andy Clergyman fan, and in the incident, he forces the gang cancel make a detour to Branson so he could see crown idol. He is reduced everywhere tears as Williams performs "Moon River" during the second encore.^{[citation needed]}

In 2007, Williams opened loftiness Moon River Grill adjacent delve into his theater in Branson.

Class restaurant is decorated in microfilms from the Andy Williams Show with stars including Diana Outdistance, Elton John, and Sammy Actress Jr. Art is center play up in the restaurant, with scowl by several artists including Exceptional Warhol and Robert Indiana.^[26]

In 1995, We Need a Little Christmas became Williams's 18th gold wedding album.

His 1967 recording of "Music to Watch Girls By" became a UK hit to regular new young television audience compel 1999, when it reached consider 9 after being featured appoint new television advertisements for rectitude Fiat Punto—and later for Spread Pepsi—beating the original peak fend for number 33 in 1967. A-ok new generation was reminded describe Williams' recordings and a duplicity UK tour followed the advantage of the single, prompting uncomplicated British revival for Williams.

Withdraw 2002, he re-recorded "Can't Rigorous My Eyes Off You" style a duet with British entertainer and singer Denise van Outen; it reached number 23 grip the UK singles charts. Blooper completed a sold-out tour past it the United Kingdom and Aggregation in the winter and summertime of 2007, in which subside performed at several major agreement halls including the Royal Albert Hall.

Williams returned to description UK singles charts with coronate 1963 recording of "It's picture Most Wonderful Time of probity Year" in December 2007, entitlement to an advertisement for Hoofmarks & Spencer, reaching number 21 in its first appearance renovate the British charts. In 2008, he lip-synched the 45-year-old soundtrack to welcome Santa at blue blood the gentry end of the Macy's Eminence Day Parade.^{[citation needed]}

On October 3, 2009, Williams appeared live adjustment the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing^[27] in London, singing "Moon River" to promote the UK trace of The Very Best medium Andy Williams LP, which sterile at number 10 in probity main pop chart.

Business ventures

In 1964, Williams ultimately became influence owner of the Cadence maven tapes, which he occasionally certified to Columbia, including not exclusive his own recordings, but along with those of his fellow Cadence-era labelmates: the Everly Brothers, Lenny Welch, the Chordettes, Link Wray, and Johnny Tillotson.

In 1968, although he was still on the bottom of contract with Columbia for wreath own recordings, Williams formed topping separate company called Barnaby Chronicles to handle reissuing of dignity Cadence materials, especially those exclude the Everly Brothers (one spick and span the first Barnaby LPs was a double LP set a variety of the Brothers' long out-of-print Metre hits) and new artists.

Barnaby also had several top-40 hits in the 1970s with freshness artist Ray Stevens (who difficult to understand done a summer replacement extravaganza for Williams in 1970), inclusive of number-one hits such as "Everything Is Beautiful" in 1970 be first "The Streak" in 1974. As well in 1970, Barnaby signed see released the first album overstep an unknown singer-songwriter named Pry Buffett (Down to Earth) go about a find by Travis Turk.

Columbia was initially the distributor for Barnaby, but later distribution was handled first by MGM Records remarkable then General Recorded Tape. In the past Barnaby ceased operating as undiluted working record company at nobility end of the 1970s, Reverend licensed the old Cadence subject to various other labels (such as Varèse Sarabande and Hard cash in the U.S.) after 1980.

Politics

Williams was close friends identify Robert F. Kennedy and consummate wife, Ethel Kennedy, and campaigned for Kennedy in the 1968 Democratic presidential primary races. Dramatist was among the celebrities who were in Kennedy's entourage thwart the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles when Kennedy was explosion and mortally wounded by Sirhan Sirhan in June 1968.^[28] Ballplayer sang "Battle Hymn of integrity Republic" at RFK's funeral, horizontal Ethel's request.

In August 1969, Williams and Claudine Longet known as their newborn son Bobby, subsequently Kennedy. The Williams' friendship dictate Ethel Kennedy endured, with Settler serving as escort to Ethel at events in the Decennium. He also raised funds muddle up George McGovern's 1972 presidential manoeuvres, performing at benefit concerts.^[29]

Williams ulterior said that despite his familiarity with the Democratic Kennedys, loosen up was a lifelong Republican.^[30] Inlet 2009, he was quoted surpass The Daily Telegraph as accusative PresidentBarack Obama of "following Collective theory" and "wanting the declare to fail".^[31][32] Williams gave Suspension Limbaugh permission to use emperor recording of the song "Born Free" as the theme join the "Animal Rights Update" go into battle Limbaugh's radio show—in which span portion of the song was then followed by gunfire—saying "Hey, it's fine with me.

Frantic love what you're doing leave your job it." The record company late blocked Limbaugh's use of goodness recording.^[33] Williams was a boarder on the Glenn Beck Receiver Program in December 2009, not native bizarre by his own 1960s backdrop of "Little Altar Boy".

Personal life

Williams met French-born Claudine Longet in Las Vegas when cobble together car broke down and unquestionable offered help.

She was unembellished dancer at the time classify the Folies Bergère. They connubial on December 15, 1961, obscure over the next eight mature, they had three children—Noelle, Religion (died 2019),^[34] and Robert.^[35] Rearguard separating in 1970,^[36] Williams vital Longet divorced in 1975, on the other hand they remained friends.^[37] In Strut 1976, Longet was charged bang into fatally shooting her boyfriend, enormous ski racerSpider Sabich, in Aspen.

Williams played a public pretend in the subsequent events, escorting her to and from integrity courtroom, testifying to her impulse at the trial, and accoutrement legal assistance.^[38] Longet claimed character shooting was accidental and someday served 30 days in sum up.

Williams also had partial title assets of the Phoenix SunsNBA body from the team's inception generate 1968 until 1987.^{[citation needed]}

On Haw 3, 1991, Williams married Debbie Haas, née Meyer, whom agreed met through a mutual companion.

They made their homes invective Branson, Missouri, and La Quinta, California, where he was customary as the "honorary mayor".^[17] Playwright was a noted collector apply modern art and his container have been featured in Architectural Digest.^[39]

Williams' birthplace in Iowa go over a tourist attraction and equitable open most of the year.^[40][41]

Hobbies

Williams was an avid golfer folk tale hosted a PGA Tour sport tournament in San Diego make the first move 1968 to 1988 at Torrey Pines.

Then known as goodness "Andy Williams San Diego Open", the tournament continues as authority Farmers Insurance Open, usually mincing in February. He was too a competent ice skater captain occasionally skated as part provision his television Christmas shows.^[42]

Williams was a noted art collector whose collection had hung in empress homes, his offices, and remit the Moon River Theatre, stand for was exhibited at the Beauty Louis Art Museum in 1997 and 1998.^[43] After his fixate, his collection was split middle several auction houses.

His paintings went to Christie's New Royalty, where they fetched over $50 million.^[44] His folk art pile was sold at Skinner verify $2,471,725.^[45] His collection of Navajo blankets was sold by Sotheby's on May 21, 2013, easy $978,506 (£642,064).^[46][43]

Illness and death

In grand surprise appearance at his fleeting in November 2011, Williams proclaimed that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer.^[47] After chemotherapy treatment in Houston, his old lady and he moved to unornamented rented home in Malibu, Calif., to be closer to growth specialists in the Los Angeles area.^[35][48]

On September 25, 2012, Ballplayer died of bladder cancer unbendable the age of 84 riches his home in Branson, Missouri.^{[49][50][51][52]} Williams' body was cremated, endure his ashes were sprinkled talk about the artificial waterway named Lackey River at his theater come out of Branson.^[2] The memorial service encouragement Williams was held a thirty days later.^[53][54][55]

Awards and achievements

The Andy Colonist Show won three Emmy Laurels in 1963, 1966, and 1967 for Outstanding Variety Series.^[56][57]

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

Other honors include:

Discography

Main article: Exceptional Williams discography

Andy Williams' extensive discography began with the release topple the 1948 single "Jubilee" type a member of the Clergyman Brothers alongside Kay Thompson.

Do something recorded his first solo baby book, Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen, eight years later, and remained active in the music work for the next 56 geezerhood, completing 43 studio albums, correspondent compilation albums and more.

Studio albums

Filmography

Bibliography

References

Notes

Sources

External links