His voice once described by President Ronald Reagan as a "national treasure," Andy Williams is still offering up hits like Moon River to fans of all ages.
Singing with his three brothers in the Williams Brothers Quartet in the 1930's, set the stage for Andy's lifelong entertainment career; which has to date, spanned over seven decades. In 1944 the group performed with Bing Crosby on the hit record, Swinging On a Star.
The young singer went solo in 1953 when he recorded songs for RCA Victor Records. None of the recordings were hits but from that, he did land a run on the Tonight Show with Steve Allen in 1954. Consequently he was signed with a small record label, Cadence Records, which he eventually would own. Williams had many hits while with Cadence, which included his only #1 hit single, Butterfly. During the Cadence era, Andy's recording career saw its peak. Hits such as, The Hawaiian Wedding Song, Are You Sincere, and Lonely Street were among some his most well known songs released under the Cadence label. In 1961, Williams moved over to Columbia records and released his signature hit, Can't Get Used to Losing You, which topped the charts at #2.
True to the traditional crooner style, Williams earned the title of 'The Crooning King' and followed in the footsteps of fellow crooners, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
Williams was one of the most popular singers in the US in the 1960's and by the early 1970's had earned more gold albums than any other artist. Among these top-selling albums were Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses, Andy Williams Christmas Album, The Shadow of your Smile, and Dear Heart.
A veteran Vegas fixture, the man with the 'Golden Voice' headlined for the famed Caesars Palace for over twenty years, beginning in 1966. Not leaving any entertainment stone left unturned, Williams capitalized on his early years with Allen on the Tonight Show and began hosting his own variety show in 1962. Achieving enormous success in television, The Andy Williams Show regularly featured guests such as, Bobby Darin, Dick Van Dyke, Jonathan Winters, and even introduced that darling group of youngsters, The Osmond Brothers. Williams ended his show in 1972 while it was still high in the ratings.
Dubbed Mr. Christmas by many, Andy Williams released several Christmas albums as well as hosting annual Christmas specials for television until 1974. He would still host a special now and then up until 1982. From 1971 through 1977, Andy was the regular host of the Grammy Awards, emceeing the awards more than anyone else in its history.
Moon River Theater
What do you do when you are 64 years old and have had mega success as a recording artist, television variety show host, and record company owner? Well you build a 2,500-seat theater in Branson, Missouri. That's exactly what Andy Williams did, and has since welcomed big-name guests like Glen Campbell and Petula Clark. The theater is set in the Ozark Mountains where Williams and his wife of nineteen years, Debbie Meyer make their part-time home. They also maintain a home on the West Coast.
Still crooning after all these years, Andy Williams, the boy from Walt Lake Iowa, has demonstrated that rare staying power in an ever-changing entertainment business. He will celebrate his 84th birthday on December 3, 2011.
| Price : $1,995.00
