Posted on 09/26/2012 7:03:08 AM PDT by BenLurkin
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — American singer Andy Williams is dead at the age of 84.
Williams’ publicist Paul Shefrin confirmed the singer died Tuesday night at his home in Branson, Missouri following a year-long battle with battler cancer.
Williams recorded 18 Gold and three Platinum-certified albums, with hits that include “Canadian Sunset,” “Butterfly,” “Can’t Get Used to Losing You,” and most famously “Moon River.”
Williams also hosted The Andy Williams Show, a variety show from 1962 to 1971. He was most famous for his Christmas specials.
He was born in Wall Lake, Iowa on Dec. 3, 1927.
Williams married dancer Claudine Longet in 1961 and the couple had three children. They divorced in 1975, but remained friends.
He remarried in 1991 and moved to Branson with wife Debbie Meyer. While in Branson, Williams opened the Moon River Theater and continued preforming into his 80s.
The singer also had a home in La Quinta.
RIP to a big star.
RIP, Andy. It’s not long until I start spinning his classic Christmas album again.
following a year-long battle with battler cancer.
I thought he died of bladder cancer. Have no clue what battler cancer is.
Sigh.
RIP Andy “Mr. Moon River” Williams.
Good catch.
I went back to the original website and there it was: battler cancer.
Methinks it was written in a hurry, but it’s still up.
Actually looks like it was written on an ipad or phone with auto correct. Happens to me all the time if I don’t check what was typed. lol
One of the few singers I really enjoyed listening to.
This time.
RIP, Andy.
RIP. He was originally from right here in Cincinnati.
I saw his Christmas show twice in Branson—it was worth every cent. Thanks, Andy for a great voice and a decent person.
Moon River is still my favorite song, and no one could do the song justice, except Andy Williams.
Rest in peace, Mr. Williams.
RIP to a man with vast talent but who never took himself too seriously.
Film/TV composer extraordinaire Mike Post told a story about one of his first gigs in TV as musical director for the Andy Williams show. Williams readily confided in Post: ‘I’m a crooner. If you try to have me do dead-serious covers of current hit songs I’m going to be a laughingstock. So let’s keep it light and/or comedic.’ In addition, Williams yielded to Post’s suggestion that they pretape the music (for sound quality purposes) for Williams to mime later. I’m no fan of lip-synch but at least Williams’ ego didn’t get in the way.
His mentoring of the Osmonds is legendary. Of course, there may be some music industry mythology in the story similar to Diana Ross ‘discovering’ the Jackson 5 but the Osmonds have always acknowledged their debt to Williams.
Originally, it was Andy Williams’ “Born Free” that Rush used for his “Animal Rights” update. Mr. Williams made a personal request to Rush to not use his song in that way, and Rush complied, probably over respect for the man’s decency.
Williams was born and raised right down the road from me in Wall Lake, IA. One town over from where my Dad was born.
As a kid I remember watching his Christmas specials... a couple of years ago I heard him on Hannity (I think) and he was very concerned about what was happening in this country. RIP to a great American.
RIP to a wonderful singer and an all-around decent man. He will be missed. It’s getting to that time of the year when one of the most loved Christmas songs will be played, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Hats off to you, Andy!
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