Andy Williams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andy Williams
Williams in 1966
Background information
Birth name	Howard Andrew Williams
Born	(1927-12-03)December 3, 1927 Wall Lake, Iowa, U.S.
Died	September 25, 2012(2012-09-25) (aged 84) Branson, Missouri, U.S.
Genres	Traditional pop, easy listening
Occupation(s)	Singer, actor
Years active	1938–2012
Labels	Cadence Columbia London Polydor
Associated acts	The Williams Brothers

Howard Andrew Williams (born December 3, 1927 – died September 25, 2012) was a famous American singer. He recorded 43 albums during his career. Many of these albums became very popular, with 15 reaching "gold" status and three reaching "platinum" status. This means they sold a lot of copies!

Andy Williams was also nominated for six Grammy Awards, which are big awards for music. He hosted his own TV show, The Andy Williams Show, from 1962 to 1971. This show was a hit and won three Emmy Awards. He sold over 45 million records around the world. Andy Williams was active in music for more than 70 years. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 84.

Early Life and School

Andy Williams was born in Wall Lake, Iowa. His parents were Florence and Jay Emerson Williams. His father worked in insurance and at the post office.

Andy went to high school in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later, his family moved to California, so he finished high school in West Los Angeles. When he was 17, Andy joined the United States Merchant Marine. He served there until World War II ended.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out: The Williams Brothers

Andy Williams had three older brothers: Bob, Don, and Dick. They formed a singing group called the Williams Brothers in 1938. They sang on the radio in the Midwest.

In 1943, the brothers moved to Los Angeles. They sang with the famous Bing Crosby on his hit song "Swinging on a Star" in 1944. They also appeared in a few musical films.

Later, the four Williams brothers teamed up with Kay Thompson, a talented former radio star. They formed a nightclub act called Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers. They became very popular in Las Vegas in 1947. They were known as one of the highest-paid nightclub acts in the world.

The group eventually split up in 1949. However, they reunited for another successful tour from 1951 to 1953. After that, the brothers went their separate ways.

Kay Thompson continued to help Andy Williams with his solo career. She coached him and wrote music for him. She helped him get a spot as a singer on the TV show Tonight Starring Steve Allen. She also helped him get his first big record deal with Cadence Records.

Becoming a Solo Star: The Cadence Years

Andy Williams started his solo singing career in 1953. He signed with Cadence Records in New York. His third song, "Canadian Sunset", became a top 10 hit in 1956.

In 1957, his song "Butterfly" became his only number-one hit in the United States. It was also number one in the UK for two weeks. More hit songs followed, like "Hawaiian Wedding Song" and "Are You Sincere?".

Big Success: The Columbia Years

In 1961, Andy Williams signed with Columbia Records. His first album with Columbia was called Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing. It was very successful.

He was then asked to sing "Moon River" from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's at the 1962 Academy Awards. The song won an award for Best Original Song. Andy's album, Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes, became a huge hit. This made him a big star.

In 1963, his song "Can't Get Used to Losing You" became a number two hit in both the US and the UK. The album that included this song, Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests, was number one on the charts for 16 weeks.

From 1962 to 1972, Andy Williams was one of the most popular singers in the country. He recorded many "gold" albums, which means they sold over 500,000 copies. By 1973, he had earned 17 gold album awards. Some of his famous albums from this time include The Andy Williams Christmas Album and Happy Heart.

Andy Williams often sang songs written by Henry Mancini, like "Moon River" and "Days of Wine and Roses". He also performed at the opening of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1966. He continued to perform there for the next 20 years.

He also had several hit songs on the UK charts, like "Almost There" and "Home Lovin' Man". His song "Happy Heart" was even used in a movie called Shallow Grave.

The Andy Williams Show

Andy Williams became the star of his own weekly TV show in 1962. It was called The Andy Williams Show. The show won three Emmy Awards for being an outstanding variety program. The famous Osmond Brothers were regular performers on his show.

He stopped doing the weekly show in 1971 but continued with three TV specials each year. His Christmas specials were especially popular. He recorded eight Christmas albums and became known as "Mr. Christmas" because of his famous song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".

Andy Williams also hosted the Grammy Awards telecasts seven times in a row, from 1971 to 1977. He performed during the halftime show of Super Bowl VII in 1973.

Moon River Theatre

In 1991, Andy Williams' brother Don invited him to Branson, Missouri. Andy decided to build his own theater there. The theater, named the Moon River Theatre after his signature song, opened on May 1, 1992. It was the first theater to be featured in Architectural Digest magazine.

The theater was designed to fit in with the Ozark Mountains. It has waterfalls, ponds with koi fish, and plants native to the Ozarks. Inside, the theater has oak floors and walls covered with pictures from The Andy Williams Show. Andy loved art, and his theater displays many paintings and sculptures from his collection.

The Moon River Theatre can hold over 2,000 people. The seats and carpets match his collection of Navajo rugs. The stage has hosted many famous guest performers like Glen Campbell and Ann-Margret.

When it first opened, it was special because it was the first non-country music show in Branson, which was mostly known for country music. Other non-country entertainers soon followed.

The Simpsons TV show even featured Andy Williams and his Moon River Theatre in an episode called "Bart on the Road". In 2007, Andy opened the Moon River Grill next to his theater. It is decorated with photos of stars from his TV show.

In 1999, his 1967 song "Music to Watch Girls By" became a big hit again in the UK. This was because it was used in TV commercials. This led to a sold-out tour in the UK. In 2007, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" also became a hit in the UK charts.

Business Ventures

In 1964, Andy Williams became the owner of the master recordings from Cadence Records. This included his own songs and those of other artists like the Everly Brothers.

In 1968, he started his own company called Barnaby Records. This company re-released old Cadence music and signed new artists. Barnaby Records had several hit songs in the 1970s with artist Ray Stevens. Barnaby also released the first album by singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

Personal Life

Andy Williams married Claudine Longet in 1961. They had three children: Noelle, Christian, and Robert. They divorced in 1975 but remained friends.

Andy Williams was also a part-owner of the Phoenix Suns NBA basketball team from 1968 to 1987.

In 1991, Andy Williams married Debbie Haas. They lived in Branson, Missouri, and La Quinta, California. Andy was known for collecting modern art, and his homes were featured in Architectural Digest. His birthplace in Iowa is now a tourist attraction.

Hobbies

Andy Williams loved to play golf. He hosted a PGA Tour golf tournament in San Diego from 1968 to 1988. It was called the "Andy Williams San Diego Open." He was also a good ice skater and sometimes skated on his TV Christmas shows.

He was a famous art collector. His collection was displayed in his homes, offices, and at the Moon River Theatre. Some of his art was even shown at the Saint Louis Art Museum. After he passed away, his art collection was sold at auctions.

Illness and Passing

In November 2011, Andy Williams announced that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. He received treatment in Houston.

On September 25, 2012, Andy Williams passed away from bladder cancer at his home in Branson, Missouri, at the age of 84. His ashes were spread into the artificial waterway called Moon River at his theater in Branson.

Awards and Achievements

The Andy Williams Show won three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety Series in 1963, 1966, and 1967.

Andy Williams also received six Grammy nominations:

Other honors include:

• Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008
• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Discography

Andy Williams' long list of recordings began in 1948. He released his first solo album, Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen, in 1956. He continued to make music for 56 years, releasing 43 studio albums and many compilation albums.

Studio Albums

• Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen (1956)
• Andy Williams Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein (1958)
• Two Time Winners (1959)
• To You Sweetheart, Aloha (1959)
• Lonely Street (1959)
• The Village of St. Bernadette (1960)
• Under Paris Skies (1960)
• Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing (1962)
• Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes (1962)
• Million Seller Songs (1962)
• Warm and Willing (1962)
• Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests (1963)
• The Andy Williams Christmas Album (1963)
• The Wonderful World of Andy Williams (1964)
• The Academy Award-Winning "Call Me Irresponsible" and Other Hit Songs from the Movies (1964)
• The Great Songs from "My Fair Lady" and Other Broadway Hits (1964)
• Andy Williams' Dear Heart (1965)
• Merry Christmas (1965)
• The Shadow of Your Smile (1966)
• In the Arms of Love (1966)
• Born Free (1967)
• Love, Andy (1967)
• Honey (1968)
• Happy Heart (1969)
• Get Together with Andy Williams (1969)
• Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head (1970)
• The Andy Williams Show (1970)
• Love Story (1971)
• You've Got a Friend (1971)
• Love Theme from "The Godfather" (1972)
• Alone Again (Naturally) (1972)
• Solitaire (1973)
• The Way We Were (1974)
• Christmas Present (1974)
• You Lay So Easy on My Mind (1974)
• The Other Side of Me (1975)
• Andy (1976)
• Let's Love While We Can (1980)
• Greatest Love Classics (1984)
• Close Enough for Love (1986)
• I Still Believe in Santa Claus (1990)
• Nashville (1991)
• We Need a Little Christmas (1995)
• I Don't Remember Ever Growing Up (2007)

Filmography

• 1944: Janie
• 1944: Kansas City Kitty
• 1947: Ladies' Man
• 1947: Something in the Wind
• 1960: The Man in the Moon
• 1964: I'd Rather Be Rich
• 1980: The Muppet Show, special guest star
• 1999: Dorival Caymmi (documentary)
• 2009: Sebring (documentary)

Images for kids

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  Williams in a publicity photo, 1960

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  Williams in 1963

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  Williams in 1966

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  Williams in 1969

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  Williams with wife Claudine Longet in 1972

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  Williams at the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament, 1986

See Also

In Spanish: Andy Williams para niños