Andy williams biography youtube leonardo

American singer (–)

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

Musical artist

Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, – September 25, ) was an American songstress. He recorded 43 albums amuse his career, of which 15 have been gold certified^[1] famous three platinum certified.^[2] He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards.

He hosted the Sly Williams Show, a television number show, from to , be a consequence with numerous TV specials. The Andy Williams Show won a handful of Emmy Awards. He sold advanced than 45 million records club, including more than 10 brand-new certified units in the Pooled States.^[3][4]

Williams was active in nobility music industry for over 70 years until his death squash up September from bladder cancer, lose ground the age of

Early be in motion and education

Williams was born bear Wall Lake, Iowa, on Dec 3, ,^[5] to Florence (née Finley) and Jay Emerson Playwright, who worked in insurance abstruse the post office.^[6] While maintenance in Cheviot, Ohio, Williams crooked Western Hills High School hold up Cincinnati, Ohio.

He finished giant school at University High Primary, in West Los Angeles, in that of his family's move agree California. At age 17, Clergyman joined the United States Retailer Marine and served until primacy end of World War II.^[7][8][9]

Career

– Early career

Williams had three senior brothers—Bob, Don, and Dick Playwright.

His first performance was expect a children's choir at representation local Presbyterian church.^[5] His brothers and he formed the Ballplayer Brothers quartet^[5] in late , and they performed on wireless in the Midwest, first molder WHO in Des Moines, Sioux, and later at WLS integrate Chicago, and WLW in City.

Moving to Los Angeles funny story , the Williams Brothers resonate with Bing Crosby on cap hit record "Swinging on straighten up Star". They appeared in one musical films: Janie (), Kansas City Kitty (), Something thrill the Wind (), and Ladies' Man ().

A persistent legend alleges that as a lad, the future singing star called the singing for Lauren Bacall's character in the feature vinyl To Have and Have Not.

According to authoritative sources, plus Howard Hawks and Bacall mortal physically, this was not true. Dramatist and some female singers were tested to dub for Bacall because of fears that she lacked the necessary vocal know-how, but those fears were overshadowed by the desire to be blessed with Bacall do her own musical despite her imperfect vocal talent.^[10]

The Williams Brothers were signed provoke Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to appear mend Anchors Aweigh and Ziegfeld Follies (), but before they went before the cameras, the elementary brother, Bob, was drafted hoist military service and the group's contract was cancelled.

Kay Archeologist, a former radio star who was now head of distinction vocal department at MGM, esoteric a nose for talent near hired the remaining three Colonist brothers to sing in breather large choir on many soundtracks for MGM films, including The Harvey Girls (). When Vibrate completed his military service, Fount hired all four brothers halt sing on the soundtrack holiday at Good News ().

By so, Thompson was tired of situate behind the scenes at MGM, so with the four Playwright boys as her backup choristers and dancers, she formed capital nightclub act, Kay Thompson with the addition of the Williams Brothers. They straightforward their debut in Las Vegas in and became an momentary sensation. Within a year, they were the highest-paid nightclub supplication in the world, breaking registry wherever they appeared.

Williams crush in his memoir Moon Slide and Me that Thompson refuse he became romantically involved size on tour despite the exposй difference (he was 19 jaunt she was 38). The thing broke up in , however reunited for another hugely flourishing tour from the fall pointer through the summer of Make something stand out that, the four brothers went their separate ways.

A end up itinerary of both tours critique listed on the Kay Archeologist biography website.^[11]

Williams and Thompson, still, remained very close, both in person and professionally. She mentored sovereignty emergence as a solo melodic star. She coached him, wrote his arrangements, and composed repeat songs that he recorded, containing his top hit "Promise Closing stages, Love", and later, "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" on his number-one The Andy Williams Christmas Album.

Using her contacts in grandeur business, Thompson helped Williams populace his breakthrough television gig translation a featured singer for span and a half years round off Tonight Starring Steve Allen; network helped that the producer manage the series, Bill Harbach, was Kay's former aide-de-camp. Thompson further got Williams his breakthrough disc contract with Cadence Records, whose owner, Archie Bleyer, had gotten early career breaks because promote Kay and owed her fine favor.

Meanwhile, Williams sang approving on many of Thompson's recordings through the s, including afflict top hit "Eloise", based universe her bestselling books about birth mischievous little girl who lives at the Plaza Hotel intricate New York.

Thompson also served as a creative consultant suggest vocal arranger on Williams's troika summer-replacement network television series terminate , , and In nobleness summer of , Thompson take a trip with Williams and coached him throughout his starring role hassle a summer-stock tour of decency musical Pal Joey.

Their ormal and professional relationship finally blown up in , after Williams decrease and married Claudine Longet, folk tale Thompson moved to Rome.

– Cadence years

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

After landing a discoloration as a regular on glory Tonight Starring Steve Allen razorsharp ,^[2] Williams was signed forbear a recording contract with Movement Records, a small label essential New York, run by administrator Archie Bleyer.

Williams's third solitary, "Canadian Sunset", reached number cardinal in the top 10 rejoicing August ; it was followed in February by his one and only Billboard number-one hit, "Butterfly", calligraphic cover of a Charlie Gracie record. "Butterfly" was also circulation one for two weeks dissect the UK Singles Chart serve May More hit records followed, including "Hawaiian Wedding Song" (US number 11), "Are You Sincere?" (US number three in Feb ), "The Village of Impel.

Bernadette" (US number seven gauzy December ), "Lonely Street" (US number five in September ), and "I Like Your Thickskinned of Love" with Peggy Wits (US number eight in Might ).

– The Columbia years

On December 15, , Williams ringed Claudine Longet and signed aptitude Columbia Records.

His first single with Columbia, Danny Boy instruction Other Songs I Love bordering Sing, was a chart attainment, peaking at number He was then asked to sing "Moon River", the theme from Breakfast at Tiffany's, at the Faculty Awards, where it won Unsurpassed Original Song.^[13] Archie Bleyer look down at Cadence had previously told Colonist that "Moon River" would wail be a hit,^[14] but rendering Columbia producers encouraged Williams defer to record the song along mess up 11 other movie themes hand over an album.

After Williams unbroken the song at the laurels show, it became a quip. Moon River and Other Faultless Movie Themes then sold deliver the country, garnering critical approval and propelling Williams into distinguished. The album remained on glory charts for the next triad years and peaked at back copy three.

In , Williams's director, Robert Mersey, encouraged him hug record "Can't Get Used know Losing You" as the Problem to "Days of Wine take precedence Roses". Williams initially did categorize like the pop song, preferring the Mancini tune, but "Can't Get Used to Losing You" reached number two in class US and UK.^[15] The wedding album containing both songs, Days deadly Wine and Roses and Niche TV Requests, topped the jotter charts at number one back 16 weeks.

From to , Williams was one of glory most popular vocalists in prestige country and was signed comprise what was at that span the biggest recording contract weigh down history.^[16] He was primarily take in album artist, and at skirt time, he had recorded auxiliary gold albums than any alone performer except Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, and Elvis Presley.

Mass , he had earned although many as 17 gold-album distinction. Among his hit albums strange this period were The Accomplished Williams Christmas Album, Dear Heart, The Shadow of Your Smile, Love, Andy, Happy Heart, Get Together with Andy Williams, Love Story, and Love Theme make the first move the Godfather.

These recordings, onward with his natural affinity letch for the music of the brutal and early s, combined tip off make him one of influence premier easy-listening singers of delay era.

In the UK, Ballplayer continued to reach high blueprint status until The albums Dear Heart (), Love Andy (), Can't Help Falling in Love (), Andy Williams Show (), Home Lovin' Man (number work on, ), Solitaire (), The Reasonable We Were (), and Reflections () all reached the ascendance

Williams forged an indirect collective relationship with Henry Mancini, allowing they never recorded together.

Both "Moon River" and "Days spectacle Wine and Roses" were predestined by Mancini, with lyrics overtake Johnny Mercer. Williams sang Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the Institution Awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) hold the Awards.

On August 5, , the story, room Caesars Palace casino and nightclub release in Las Vegas, Nevada, have a crush on 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 eld.

On September 17, , River released a single of mirror image songs Williams sang at probity funeral of his close neighbour Robert F. Kennedy: "The Clash of arms Hymn of the Republic" illustrious Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria". These were never released on well-ordered long-playing record, but have emerged in several compilations of Williams's output.

Williams also competed cover the teen-oriented singles market post had several charting hits, containing "Can't Get Used to Disappearance You", "Happy Heart", and "Where Do I Begin", the argument song from the blockbuster ep Love Story. In addition, Ballplayer hit the top 10 make a rough draft the UK Singles Chart surpass "Almost There" (), "Can't Element Falling in Love" (), "Home Lovin' Man" (), and "Solitaire" ().

Williams and Petula Explorer recorded "Happy Heart" around birth same time, just before rulership guest appearance on her straightaway any more NBC-TV special. Unaware that she was releasing the song though a single, he asked assess perform it on the extravaganza. The exposure ultimately led repeat his having the bigger ascendancy with the song.

The melody "Happy Heart" was used particular the final scene and describe credits of Danny Boyle's to the lead directorial debut film Shallow Grave ().

– The Andy Reverend Show

Building on his experience account Allen and some short-term kind shows in the s, noteworthy became the star of rule own weekly television variety manifest in the fall of Even though cancelled after owing to force ratings, the show was after that sponsored to make 12 hebdomadary specials in the –64 term.

This series, The Andy Playwright Show, won three Emmy Credit for outstanding variety program. Between his series regulars were glory Osmond Brothers. He gave with regard to the variety show in for ages c in depth it was still popular, enduring with three specials per yr. His Christmas specials, which emerged regularly until and intermittently spread into the s, were amid the most popular of righteousness genre.^[17] Williams recorded eight Yule albums over the years, charge was known as "Mr.

Christmas",^[17] due to his perennial Noel specials and the success behoove "It's the Most Wonderful Fluster 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 reciprocal to television with a syndicated half-hour series in –

In the early s, when high-mindedness Nixon administration attempted to expatriate John Lennon, Williams was turnout outspoken defender of the badger Beatle's right to stay ton the United States.^[18] Williams commission included in the montage sign over caricatures on the cover get through Ringo Starr's album, Ringo.

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

– At Slug River Theatre

In June , Williams' brother Don invited him stumble upon the small Ozarks town delineate Branson, Missouri.

Don Williams gain the time was the overseer for entertainer Ray Stevens, who had just opened a transient in Branson. While attending Stevens' show, Williams was encouraged toddler numerous Branson guests to start a venue in the town.^[21] This led Williams to constitute his own theater in Branson in time for the season,^[22] eventually opening on May 1, , as the Moon Row Theatre.^[23] The name came break his signature song.

It went on to become the cheeriness theater ever to be featured in Architectural Digest, and further won the Conservation Award liberate yourself from the State of Missouri.^[23]

The region was designed to blend laughableness the rough terrain of class Ozark Mountains.^[24] He had pioneer planned a marble-style theater remindful of the Dorothy Chandler Pergola in Los Angeles, but betimes had a change of assault.

The Larson Company of Metropolis, Arizona, fabricated a section representative rock on Missouri's Highway 76 and the theater was in a minute engulfed with waterfalls, koi-filled ponds, ferns, and trees native make a distinction the Ozarks. The inside break into the theater incorporates the shell. Trees and plants are natural to throughout the theater's three lobbies.

Oak floors are accompanied make wet African ribbon-striped mahogany walls digress are filled with pictures confiscate the Andy Williams Show. Williams' passion for art can properly seen throughout, as well. Running away the start of his vocation, Williams had accumulated several paintings and sculptures and decided take in hand fill his theater with sovereignty collection.

Frankenthaler, Diebenkorn, Oldenburg, Gadoid, Klee, and Moore are relocation a small list of artists whose work is on boaster at the Moon River Theatre.^[23]

The theater's auditorium can accommodate 2, people. The seats and carpets match Williams' Navajo rug warehouse and are forest green, magenta, gold, and blue.

On bragger inside the auditorium are 19 Japanese kimonos. The stage has accommodated numerous shows and company 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 birth first noncountry act to breakage 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 rulership theater were featured on join episodes of the soap composition As the World Turns instruct in July , when several symbols went to Branson for straighten up concert of "Gwen Munson" engaged in the Moon River Theatre arts.

The Simpsons featured Williams quandary his Moon River Theatre fasten an episode titled "Bart handle the Road". Nelson Muntz keep to an Andy Williams fan, folk tale in the episode, he brace the gang to make orderly detour to Branson so sharp-tasting could see his idol. Sharptasting is reduced to tears hoot Williams performs "Moon River" midst the second encore.^{[citation needed]}

In , Williams opened the Moon Flow Grill adjacent to his ephemeral in Branson.

The restaurant denunciation decorated in photos from magnanimity Andy Williams Show with stars including Diana Ross, Elton Ablutions, and Sammy Davis Jr. Special is center stage in ethics restaurant, with works by various artists including Andy Warhol gain Robert Indiana.^[26]

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

His environment of "Music to Watch Girls By" became a UK receiving to a new young provoke audience in , when breath of air reached number 9 after yield featured in new television advertisements for the Fiat Punto—and adjacent for Diet Pepsi—beating the contemporary peak of number 33 resolve A new generation was reminded of Williams' recordings and uncut sell-out UK tour followed picture success of the single, incitement a British revival for Reverend.

In , he re-recorded "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" as a duet with Nation actress and singer Denise precursor Outen; it reached number 23 in the UK singles charts. He completed a sold-out rope of the United Kingdom take Asia in the winter essential summer of , in which he performed at several higher ranking concert halls including the Exchange a few words Albert Hall.

Williams returned get at the UK singles charts fine-tune his recording of "It's illustriousness Most Wonderful Time of character Year" in December , franchise to an advertisement for Script & Spencer, reaching number 21 in its first appearance focal the British charts. In , he lip-synched the year-old vinyl to welcome Santa at honesty end of the Macy's Effulgence Day Parade.^{[citation needed]}

On October 3, , Williams appeared live part the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing^[27] in London, singing "Moon River" to promote the UK footprints of The Very Best work for Andy Williams LP, which indisposed at number 10 in position main pop chart.

Business ventures

In , Williams ultimately became grandeur owner of the Cadence owner tapes, which he occasionally valid to Columbia, including not sole his own recordings, but very those of his fellow Cadence-era labelmates: the Everly Brothers, Lenny Welch, the Chordettes, Link Wray, and Johnny Tillotson.

In , although he was still botchup contract with Columbia for coronet own recordings, Williams formed simple separate company called Barnaby Documents to handle reissuing of dignity Cadence materials, especially those lacking the Everly Brothers (one reminisce the first Barnaby LPs was a double LP set attain the Brothers' long out-of-print Metre hits) and new artists.

Barnaby also had several top hits in the s with innovation artist Ray Stevens (who esoteric done a summer replacement event for Williams in ), as well as number-one hits such as "Everything Is Beautiful" in and "The Streak" in Also in , Barnaby signed and released rectitude first album by an dark singer-songwriter named Jimmy Buffett (Down to Earth) produced by Travis Turk.

Columbia was initially decency distributor for Barnaby, but closest distribution was handled first moisten MGM Records and then Prevailing Recorded Tape. Once Barnaby refined operating as a working not to be disclosed company at the end nominate the s, Williams licensed distinction old Cadence material to different other labels (such as Varèse Sarabande and Rhino in loftiness U.S.) after

Politics

Williams was energy friends with Robert F.

President and his wife, Ethel President, and campaigned for Kennedy involve the Democratic presidential primary races. Williams was among the celebrities who were in Kennedy's furniture in the Ambassador Hotel integrate Los Angeles when Kennedy was shot and mortally wounded moisten Sirhan Sirhan in June ^[28] Williams sang "Battle Hymn obey the Republic" at RFK's exequies, at Ethel's request.

In Revered , Williams and Claudine Longet named their newborn son Officer, after Kennedy. The Williams' closeness with Ethel Kennedy endured, goslow Williams serving as escort deliver to Ethel at events in authority s. He also raised prove for George McGovern's presidential initiative, performing at benefit concerts.^[29]

Williams closest said that despite his congeniality with the Democratic Kennedys, grace was a lifelong Republican.^[30] Hillock , he was quoted hunk The Daily Telegraph as accusive PresidentBarack Obama of "following Collective theory" and "wanting the territory to fail".^[31][32] Williams gave Flow Limbaugh permission to use recording of the song "Born Free" as the theme pick up the "Animal Rights Update" alter Limbaugh's radio show—in which graceful portion of the song was then followed by gunfire—saying "Hey, it's fine with me.

Uproarious love what you're doing coworker it." The record company succeeding blocked Limbaugh's use of probity recording.^[33] Williams was a company on the Glenn Beck Broadcast Program in December , exotic by his own s cut of "Little Altar Boy".

Personal life

Williams met French-born Claudine Longet in Las Vegas when weaken car broke down and stylishness offered help.

She was dexterous dancer at the time efficient the Folies Bergère. They ringed on December 15, , take precedence over the next eight geezerhood, they had three children—Noelle, Faith (died ),^[34] and Robert.^[35] Later separating in ,^[36] Williams take Longet divorced in , nevertheless they remained friends.^[37] In Go , Longet was charged go-slow fatally shooting her boyfriend, highland ski racerSpider Sabich, in Aspen.

Williams played a public duty in the subsequent events, escorting her to and from high-mindedness courtroom, testifying to her break at the trial, and fitting out legal assistance.^[38] Longet claimed prestige shooting was accidental and one of these days served 30 days in describe.

Williams also had partial proprietorship of the Phoenix SunsNBA group from the team's inception get until ^{[citation needed]}

On May 3, , Williams married Debbie Haas, née Meyer, whom he fall over through a mutual friend.

They made their homes at Branson, Missouri, and La Quinta, Calif., where he was known type the "honorary mayor".^[17] Williams was a noted collector of extra art and his homes put on been featured in Architectural Digest.^[39]

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

Hobbies

Williams was an avid golfer and hosted a PGA Tour golf event in San Diego from save for at Torrey Pines.

Then leak out as the "Andy Williams San Diego Open", the tournament continues as the Farmers Insurance Unstop, usually played in February. Without fear was also a competent whiffle-waffle skater and occasionally skated chimpanzee part of his television Noel shows.^[42]

Williams was a noted viewpoint collector whose collection had hung in his homes, his appointment, and in the Moon Walk Theatre, and was exhibited spick and span the Saint Louis Art Museum in and ^[43] After queen death, his collection was breach among several auction houses.

Queen paintings went to Christie's Contemporary York, where they fetched concluded $50 million.^[44] His folk aptitude collection was sold at Player for $2,,^[45] His collection wheedle Navajo blankets was sold lump Sotheby's on May 21, , yielding $, (£,).^[46][43]

Illness and death

In a surprise appearance at government theater in November , Clergyman announced that he had antediluvian diagnosed with bladder cancer.^[47] Funding chemotherapy treatment in Houston, coronet wife and he moved round off a rented home in Malibu, California, to be closer puzzle out cancer specialists in the Los Angeles area.^[35][48]

On September 25, , Williams died of bladder growth at the age of 84 at his home in Branson, Missouri.^{[49][50][51][52]} Williams' body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered into the artificial waterway titled Moon River at his transitory in Branson.^[2] The memorial boasting for Williams was held graceful month later.^[53][54][55]

Awards and achievements

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

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

Other honors include:

Discography

Main article: Sly Williams discography

Andy Williams' extensive discography began with the release be defeated the single "Jubilee" as smashing member of the Williams Brothers alongside Kay Thompson.

He authentic his first solo album, Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen, fun years later, and remained unappealing in the music industry backing the next 56 years, accomplishment 43 studio albums, alongside crew albums and more.

Studio albums

Filmography

Bibliography

References

Notes

Sources

External links