Andy Williams Has Died

Andy Williams died at his home in Branson following a yearlong battle with bladder cancer.

ST. LOUIS — With a string of gold albums, a hit TV series and the signature "Moon River," Andy Williams was a voice of the 1960s, although not the '60s we usually hear about.

"The old cliche says that if you can remember the 1960s, you weren't there," the singer once recalled. "Well, I was there all right, but my memory of them is blurred — not by any drugs I took but by the relentless pace of the schedule I set myself."

Williams' plaintive tenor, boyish features and easy demeanor helped him outlast many of the rock stars who had displaced him and such fellow crooners as Frank Sinatra and Perry Como. He remained on the charts into the 1970s, and continued to perform in his 80s at the Moon River Theatre he built in Branson, Mo. In November 2011, when Williams announced that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, he vowed to return to performing the following year: His 75th in show business.

Williams died Tuesday night at his home in Branson following a yearlong battle with the disease, his Los Angeles-based publicist, Paul Shefrin, said Wednesday. He was 84.

He became a major star the same year as Elvis Presley, 1956, with the Sinatra-like swing "Canadian Sunset," and for a time he was pushed into such Presley imitations as "Lips of Wine" and the No. 1 smash "Butterfly." But he mostly stuck to what he called his "natural style," and kept it up throughout his career. In 1970, when even Sinatra had given up and (temporarily) retired, Williams was in the top 10 with the theme from "Love Story," the Oscar-winning tearjerker. He had 18 gold records and three platinum, was nominated for five Grammy awards and hosted the Grammy ceremonies for several years.

Movie songs became a specialty, from "Love Story" and "Days of Wine and Roses" to "Moon River." The longing Johnny Mercer-Henry Mancini ballad was his most famous song, even though he never released it as a single because his record company feared such lines as "my huckleberry friend" were too confusing and old-fashioned for teens. The song was first performed by Audrey Hepburn in the beloved 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's," but Mancini thought "Moon River" ideal for Williams, who recorded it in "pretty much one take" and also sang it at the 1962 Academy Awards. Although "Moon River" was covered by countless artists and became a hit single for Jerry Butler, Williams made the song his personal brand. In fact, he insisted on it


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My Mom will be so sad. She loved going to his shows in Branson. He was such a talent!
Many prayers for his family.

This has special meaning for me. Moon River has been my parents' song for as long as I can remember---they have been married for 50 years. Only 2 weeks ago, my dad told me that my mom (who suffers from Alzheimers) heard this song come on their CD player in the house, and 'found' my dad and told him that their song was playing. He couldn't believe that she remembered!!

This song is beautiful.....may Andy rest in peace.

My dad liked his music. Rest In Peace, Mr.Williams.

I am so sad about Andy William's passing. He was an amazing singer. He was also one of my grandmother's favorites (God rest her soul). I can't think of him without thinking about my grandma. She especially loved the song "Love Story."

He will be missed! I can't believe the people we lost in 2012.

Amy wrote:

This has special meaning for me. Moon River has been my parents' song for as long as I can remember---they have been married for 50 years.

One of the prettiest songs ever.

My mom was a huge Andy Williams fan. I was sadden to hear about this. It makes you realize that the stars you grew up with are getting older--and we are too.

As I said on another site, nobody knows how horribly depressing a death of someone like his is to me. I have always been a fan of his. And yes, I thought he was kind of cute, too. But then again, it is a known fact that I am quite a sucker for crooners.

But now that he has died, the sad realization of who is left just depresses me so much. He is someone from my childhood. He is classic Christmas. So he was always in my life because of that. But I started to really get into all of the crooners when I was about 12. So I discovered their non-Christmas songs then and he was one of my absolute favorites.

I honestly got a little choked up over the news. It is sad. I told my mother and her reaction was "Oh, no. No." and I think she got a little emotional. And then she said to me "You know who would be very upset over this?". I said "Grandma". And she said "She would probably cry over it." My grandmother loved him. Well, Andy Williams and Engelbert Humperdinck.

I am going to amit something now. I have never been a fan of "Moon River". Yes, it is true. I never liked it by anyone who did it. I just had to admit it.

But I will tell you what my favorite Andy Williams song is. "Come to Me, Bend to Me". This song is originally from the Lerner and Lowe musical "Brigadoon". And his version is the most perfect I think his voice ever sounded. I think it is incredible.

Rhonda wrote:

My condolences to his family....and also to the Osmond family.....Andy and the Osmond brothers were closer than close....like a father to them.....I am sure this has hit them hard.

After my mother brought up my grandmother she said "You know who will really feel bad over this?". And I immediately said "The Osmonds". I do feel very bad for them, too.

bethandmanly wrote:

My mom was a huge Andy Williams fan. I was sadden to hear about this. It makes you realize that the stars you grew up with are getting older--and we are too.

So true.

Sorry to hear this hit you so hard, Miss Oleson. Pretty song....he just had such a nice, peaceful kind of voice. And yes, he is 'classic Christmas'. I probably have 3 Christmas cd's with him all over them. His voice will live on!

Andy started off singing with his three brothers. Here they are in one of his Christmas specials. Beautiful harmonies!

Here's a group of brothers that Andy introduced and helped along the way.....

Those are great!

Gosh, I'm ready for Christmas after watching this! Notice how all their shoes match their outfits.

That's one of those special moments for your parents that I knew would happen Amy.
I know that was such a special moment for your Dad.

Oh, it definitely was. Thanks Gin.

R.I.P...