Biography
"The Emperor of Easy," as he was known to his faithful fans in the U. K., Andy Williams was a singer and television host whose tasteful renditions of songs from the Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer songbook like "Moon River" and "Days of Wine and Roses" made him one of the more well-loved entertainers of the 1960s and 1970s. A former child member of a vocal act featuring his brothers, Williams broke out on his own in 1951 and soon established …
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Career Milestones
2011 | Featured in the musical documentary "The Lennon Sisters: Same Song, Separate Voices" |
2009 | Compilation album Moon River: The Very Best of Andy Williams released on Columbia Records |
2007 | Landed a multi-episode guest appearance on "As the World Turns" (CBS) |
2004 | Featured in the PBS special "Andy Williams: My Favorite Duets" |
2003 | Recorded a duet of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" with singer-actress Denise van Outen that reached the Top 40 in Europe and Asia |
1999 | Returned to the U.K. Top 10 with "Music to Watch Girls By"; single was used in television commercials for Fiat and Diet Pepsi |
1991 | Opened the Moon River Theatre in Branson, MO |
1982 | Starred in and executive produced "Andy Williams' Early New England Christmas" |
1971 | Starred in his first televised holiday special "The Andy Williams Christmas Show" (NBC); also executive produced |
1971 | Began a multi-year hosting stint for the Grammy Awards |
1970 | Recorded the theme song to the drama feature "Love Story" |
1968 | Sang at the funeral of his close friend Robert F. Kennedy, for whom he had campaigned during his presidential run, and whom he had seen assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel in June of that year; Columbia released the two singles Williams performed at the funeral, "Ave Maria" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" |
1966 | Began a 20-year stint as a headliner at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV |
1964 | Feature acting debut in the comedy "I'd Rather Be Rich" opposite Sandra Dee and Robert Goulet |
1963 | Received first Gold certification from RIAA with the album Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests |
1962 | Released the album Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes |
1961 | Married French singer and "The Andy Williams Show" regular Claudine Longet |
1961 | Recorded Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini's classic composition "Moon River"; track originally performed by Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"; Williams performed song at the 1962 Oscar ceremony |
1961 | Signed with Columbia Records |
1959 | Hosted the music and variety program "The Andy Williams Show" (CBS, 1959; NBC, 1962-71) |
1958 | Scored numerous Top 10 hits including "Are You Sincere," "The Village of St. Bernadette," and "Lonely Street" |
1957 | Landed his first and only No. 1 with a cover of Charlie Gracie's "Butterfly" |
1956 | Signed with Cadence Records and released his first Top 10 single "Canadian Sunset" |
1954 | Began regularly performing as a solo act on NBC's "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" |
1951 | The Williams Brothers disbanded |
1944 | Made feature debut with brothers in ""Janie" and "Kansas City Kitty" |
1943 | Moved to Los Angeles with his brothers; landed a film contract with MGM |
1938 | Formed the quartet The Williams Brothers with his brothers Don, Dick and Bob; father managed the group |
Awards
1967 | Golden Globe Award for Actor in a Television Series in The Andy Williams Show |
1964 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance In a Variety or Musical Program in The Andy Williams Show |
1963 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance In a Variety or Musical Program in The Andy Williams Show |