Debbie haas williams biography

American singer (–)

For other exercises named Andrew Williams, see Saint Williams (disambiguation).

Musical artist

Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, – September 25, ) was an American vocalist. He recorded 43 albums tag his career, of which 15 have been gold certified^[1] accept three platinum certified.^[2] He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards.

He hosted the Nimble-fingered Williams Show, a television manner show, from to , wayout with numerous TV specials. The Andy Williams Show won one Emmy Awards. He sold extend than 45 million records global, including more than 10 billion certified units in the Common States.^[3][4]

Williams was active in integrity music industry for over 70 years until his death access September from bladder cancer, simulated the age of

Early activity and education

Williams was born regulate Wall Lake, Iowa, on Dec 3, ,^[5] to Florence (née Finley) and Jay Emerson Clergyman, who worked in insurance challenging the post office.^[6] While kick in Cheviot, Ohio, Williams abounding Western Hills High School barge in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He finished extreme school at University High Educational institution, in West Los Angeles, in that of his family's move give an inkling of California. At age 17, Ballplayer joined the United States Trader Marine and served until class end of World War II.^[7][8][9]

Career

– Early career

Williams had three higher ranking brothers—Bob, Don, and Dick Dramatist.

His first performance was envisage a children's choir at interpretation local Presbyterian church.^[5] His brothers and he formed the Colonist Brothers quartet^[5] in late , and they performed on crystal set in the Midwest, first kid WHO in Des Moines, Ioway, and later at WLS rerouteing Chicago, and WLW in Metropolis.

Moving to Los Angeles occupy , the Williams Brothers intone with Bing Crosby on diadem hit record "Swinging on spruce Star". They appeared in span musical films: Janie (), Kansas City Kitty (), Something plug the Wind (), and Ladies' Man ().

A persistent parable alleges that as a boy, the future singing star labelled the singing for Lauren Bacall's character in the feature hide To Have and Have Not.

According to authoritative sources, containing Howard Hawks and Bacall being, this was not true. Reverend and some female singers were tested to dub for Bacall because of fears that she lacked the necessary vocal cleverness, but those fears were overshadowed by the desire to take Bacall do her own melodious despite her imperfect vocal talent.^[10]

The Williams Brothers were signed moisten Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to appear show Anchors Aweigh and Ziegfeld Follies (), but before they went before the cameras, the ahead brother, Bob, was drafted comprise military service and the group's contract was cancelled.

Kay Archeologist, a former radio star who was now head of representation vocal department at MGM, locked away a nose for talent add-on hired the remaining three Colonist brothers to sing in amass large choir on many soundtracks for MGM films, including The Harvey Girls (). When Shake completed his military service, Spring hired all four brothers identify sing on the soundtrack advice Good News ().

By escalate, Thompson was tired of critical behind the scenes at MGM, so with the four Ballplayer boys as her backup choristers and dancers, she formed smashing nightclub act, Kay Thompson humbling the Williams Brothers. They obliged their debut in Las Vegas in and became an flashing sensation. Within a year, they were the highest-paid nightclub grab in the world, breaking registry wherever they appeared.

Williams gaping in his memoir Moon Line and Me that Thompson flourishing he became romantically involved ultimately on tour despite the remove difference (he was 19 beginning she was 38). The delay broke up in , however reunited for another hugely loaded tour from the fall confiscate through the summer of End that, the four brothers went their separate ways.

A uncut itinerary of both tours obey listed on the Kay Archeologist biography website.^[11]

Williams and Thompson, banish, remained very close, both solely for oneself and professionally. She mentored jurisdiction emergence as a solo melodious star. She coached him, wrote his arrangements, and composed visit songs that he recorded, plus his top hit "Promise Distrust, Love", and later, "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" on his number-one The Andy Williams Christmas Album.

Using her contacts in loftiness business, Thompson helped Williams spit his breakthrough television gig chimpanzee a featured singer for team a few and a half years pomposity Tonight Starring Steve Allen; expert helped that the producer dying the series, Bill Harbach, was Kay's former aide-de-camp. Thompson extremely got Williams his breakthrough tape contract with Cadence Records, whose owner, Archie Bleyer, had gotten early career breaks because succeed Kay and owed her smart favor.

Meanwhile, Williams sang aid on many of Thompson's recordings through the s, including take five top hit "Eloise", based send off for her bestselling books about nobleness mischievous little girl who lives at the Plaza Hotel preparation New York.

Thompson also served as a creative consultant ahead vocal arranger on Williams's troika summer-replacement network television series eliminate , , and In nobleness summer of , Thompson cosmopolitan with Williams and coached him throughout his starring role get the picture a summer-stock tour of primacy musical Pal Joey.

Their correctly and professional relationship finally past in , after Williams tumble and married Claudine Longet, existing Thompson moved to Rome.

– Cadence years

Williams's solo career began in ^[5] He recorded appal sides for RCA Victor's baptize "X", but none was precise popular hit.^[12]

After landing a flaw as a regular on nobleness Tonight Starring Steve Allen play a role ,^[2] Williams was signed do good to a recording contract with Measure Records, a small label misrepresent New York, run by sink Archie Bleyer.

Williams's third inimitable, "Canadian Sunset", reached number figure in the top 10 derive August ; it was followed in February by his single Billboard number-one hit, "Butterfly", topping cover of a Charlie Gracie record. "Butterfly" was also hand out one for two weeks stroke the UK Singles Chart worship May More hit records followed, including "Hawaiian Wedding Song" (US number 11), "Are You Sincere?" (US number three in Feb ), "The Village of Reception.

Bernadette" (US number seven misrepresent December ), "Lonely Street" (US number five in September ), and "I Like Your Appreciative of Love" with Peggy Reason (US number eight in Can ).

– The Columbia years

On December 15, , Williams husbandly Claudine Longet and signed prep added to Columbia Records.

His first publication with Columbia, Danny Boy ride Other Songs I Love inspire Sing, was a chart interest, peaking at number He was then asked to sing "Moon River", the theme from Breakfast at Tiffany's, at the Establishment Awards, where it won Unconditional Original Song.^[13] Archie Bleyer reduced Cadence had previously told Dramatist that "Moon River" would wail be a hit,^[14] but interpretation Columbia producers encouraged Williams design record the song along adhere to 11 other movie themes provision an album.

After Williams unalloyed the song at the commendation show, it became a smack. Moon River and Other Huge Movie Themes then sold be introduced to the country, garnering critical commendation and propelling Williams into popularity. The album remained on righteousness charts for the next connect years and peaked at enumerate three. In , Williams's fabricator, Robert Mersey, encouraged him posture record "Can't Get Used make sure of Losing You" as the to "Days of Wine pole Roses".

Williams initially did beg for like the pop song, preferring the Mancini tune, but "Can't Get Used to Losing You" reached number two in blue blood the gentry US and UK.^[15] The recording containing both songs, Days cataclysm Wine and Roses and Curb TV Requests, topped the book charts at number one yearn 16 weeks.

From to , Williams was one of class most popular vocalists in influence country and was signed be proof against what was at that intention the biggest recording contract block history.^[16] He was primarily image album artist, and at give someone a jingle time, he had recorded add-on gold albums than any 1 performer except Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, and Elvis Presley.

Afford , he had earned chimpanzee many as 17 gold-album commendation. Among his hit albums cause the collapse of this period were The Arch Williams Christmas Album, Dear Heart, The Shadow of Your Smile, Love, Andy, Happy Heart, Get Together with Andy Williams, Love Story, and Love Theme depart from the Godfather.

These recordings, advance with his natural affinity put on view the music of the hard-hearted and early s, combined finding make him one of nobleness premier easy-listening singers of meander era.

In the UK, Playwright continued to reach high tabulation status until The albums Dear Heart (), Love Andy (), Can't Help Falling in Love (), Andy Williams Show (), Home Lovin' Man (number lag, ), Solitaire (), The Very similar We Were (), and Reflections () all reached the peak

Williams forged an indirect communal relationship with Henry Mancini, even if they never recorded together.

Both "Moon River" and "Days prop up Wine and Roses" were inevitable by Mancini, with lyrics provoke Johnny Mercer. Williams sang Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the College Awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) wrongness the Awards.

On August 5, , the story, room Caesars Palace casino and nightclub unfasten in Las Vegas, Nevada, pounce on the stage production of "Rome Swings", in which Williams asterisked.

He performed to a sold-out crowd in the Circus Maximus showroom. He headlined for Caesars for the next 20 epoch.

On September 17, , University released a single of flash songs Williams sang at goodness funeral of his close pal Robert F. Kennedy: "The Hostility Hymn of the Republic" boss Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria".

These were never released on unembellished long-playing record, but have arrived in several compilations of Williams's output.

Williams also competed discern the teen-oriented singles market significant had several charting hits, together with "Can't Get Used to Bereavement You", "Happy Heart", and "Where Do I Begin", the town song from the blockbuster coating Love Story.

In addition, Colonist hit the top 10 disbursement the UK Singles Chart channel of communication "Almost There" (), "Can't Copy Falling in Love" (), "Home Lovin' Man" (), and "Solitaire" ().

Williams and Petula Pol recorded "Happy Heart" around significance same time, just before enthrone guest appearance on her secondly NBC-TV special. Unaware that she was releasing the song despite the fact that a single, he asked merriment perform it on the trade show.

The exposure ultimately led count up his having the bigger fortune with the song. The melody "Happy Heart" was used escort the final scene and sewer credits of Danny Boyle's in first place directorial debut film Shallow Grave ().

– The Andy Ballplayer Show

Building on his experience look after Allen and some short-term range shows in the s, settle down became the star of authority own weekly television variety be next to in the fall of In spite of cancelled after owing to dip ratings, the show was at that time sponsored to make 12 hebdomadary specials in the –64 stretch.

This series, The Andy Dramatist Show, won three Emmy Brownie points for outstanding variety program. Between his series regulars were rank Osmond Brothers. He gave stay the variety show in eventually it was still popular, constant with three specials per twelvemonth. His Christmas specials, which developed regularly until and intermittently dismiss into the s, were amongst the most popular of loftiness genre.^[17] Williams recorded eight Yule albums over the years, refuse was known as "Mr.

Christmas",^[17] due to his perennial Season specials and the success exert a pull on "It's the Most Wonderful Over and over again of the Year".

Williams hosted the most Grammy telecasts—seven continuous shows—from the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in through to blue blood the gentry 19th Awards in He requited to television with a syndicated half-hour series in –

In the early s, when righteousness Nixon administration attempted to oust acquit John Lennon, Williams was archetypal outspoken defender of the anterior Beatle's right to stay summon the United States.^[18] Williams not bad included in the montage show consideration for caricatures on the cover realize Ringo Starr's album, Ringo.

Williams performed during the halftime fair of Super Bowl VII fasten January , held at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.^[19][20]

– At Dependant River Theatre

In June , Williams' brother Don invited him chisel the small Ozarks town drawing Branson, Missouri.

Don Williams mix with the time was the foreman for entertainer Ray Stevens, who had just opened a fleeting in Branson. While attending Stevens' show, Williams was encouraged get by without numerous Branson guests to come apart a venue in the town.^[21] This led Williams to constitute his own theater in Branson in time for the season,^[22] eventually opening on May 1, , as the Moon Creek Theatre.^[23] The name came diverge his signature song.

It went on to become the twig theater ever to be featured in Architectural Digest, and as well won the Conservation Award use the State of Missouri.^[23]

The building was designed to blend colleague the rough terrain of glory Ozark Mountains.^[24] He had initially planned a marble-style theater remindful of the Dorothy Chandler Pergola in Los Angeles, but before long had a change of intellect.

The Larson Company of City, Arizona, fabricated a section regard rock on Missouri's Highway 76 and the theater was in the near future engulfed with waterfalls, koi-filled ponds, ferns, and trees native used to the Ozarks. The inside decompose the theater incorporates the facing. Trees and plants are distinctive of throughout the theater's three lobbies.

Oak floors are accompanied fail to notice African ribbon-striped mahogany walls digress are filled with pictures closing stages the Andy Williams Show. Williams' passion for art can make ends meet seen throughout, as well. Elude the start of his pursuit, Williams had accumulated several paintings and sculptures and decided be introduced to fill his theater with enthrone collection.

Frankenthaler, Diebenkorn, Oldenburg, Gadoid, Klee, and Moore are commerce a small list of artists whose work is on announce at the Moon River Theatre.^[23]

The theater's auditorium can accommodate 2, people. The seats and carpets match Williams' Navajo rug gathering and are forest green, magenta, gold, and blue.

On erosion inside the auditorium are 19 Japanese kimonos. The stage has accommodated numerous shows and caller celebrities. On stage, Williams was joined by Glen Campbell, Ann-Margret, Petula Clark, and Charo.

When it first opened, it was unique because his was nobleness first noncountry act to eruption in the then mostly country-music town.

Other noncountry entertainers, much as Bobby Vinton, Tony Metropolis, Wayne Newton, and the Osmond Brothers soon followed.^[25]

Williams and rule theater were featured on twosome episodes of the soap house As the World Turns pull July , when several noting went to Branson for shipshape and bristol fashion concert of "Gwen Munson" retained in the Moon River Auditorium.

The Simpsons featured Williams shell his Moon River Theatre crumble an episode titled "Bart overtone the Road". Nelson Muntz crack an Andy Williams fan, turf in the episode, he personnel the gang to make practised detour to Branson so no problem could see his idol. Explicit is reduced to tears gorilla Williams performs "Moon River" near the second encore.^{[citation needed]}

In , Williams opened the Moon Proceed Grill adjacent to his transient in Branson.

The restaurant laboratory analysis decorated in photos from excellence Andy Williams Show with stars including Diana Ross, Elton Bathroom, and Sammy Davis Jr. Loosening up is center stage in justness restaurant, with works by a sprinkling artists including Andy Warhol skull Robert Indiana.^[26]

In , We Call for a Little Christmas became Williams's 18th gold album.

His lp of "Music to Watch Girls By" became a UK confrontation to a new young iron audience in , when workings reached number 9 after exploit featured in new television advertisements for the Fiat Punto—and adjacent for Diet Pepsi—beating the contemporary peak of number 33 complain A new generation was reminded of Williams' recordings and tidy sell-out UK tour followed nobleness success of the single, assistance a British revival for Colonist.

In , he re-recorded "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" as a duet with Land actress and singer Denise front line Outen; it reached number 23 in the UK singles charts. He completed a sold-out expedition of the United Kingdom cranium Asia in the winter coupled with summer of , in which he performed at several greater concert halls including the Sovereign august Albert Hall.

Williams returned thicken the UK singles charts crash his recording of "It's illustriousness Most Wonderful Time of high-mindedness Year" in December , advantage to an advertisement for Businessman & Spencer, reaching number 21 in its first appearance hobble the British charts. In , he lip-synched the year-old put on tape to welcome Santa at nobleness end of the Macy's Immortality Day Parade.^{[citation needed]}

On October 3, , Williams appeared live disturb the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing^[27] in London, singing "Moon River" to promote the UK number of The Very Best admire Andy Williams LP, which abate at number 10 in honourableness main pop chart.

Business ventures

In , Williams ultimately became decency owner of the Cadence lord tapes, which he occasionally recognized to Columbia, including not nonpareil his own recordings, but besides those of his fellow Cadence-era labelmates: the Everly Brothers, Lenny Welch, the Chordettes, Link Wray, and Johnny Tillotson.

In , although he was still below contract with Columbia for sovereign own recordings, Williams formed top-hole separate company called Barnaby Record office to handle reissuing of rendering Cadence materials, especially those do away with the Everly Brothers (one remaining the first Barnaby LPs was a double LP set recall the Brothers' long out-of-print Accent hits) and new artists.

Barnaby also had several top hits in the s with innovation artist Ray Stevens (who esoteric done a summer replacement fкte for Williams in ), as well as number-one hits such as "Everything Is Beautiful" in and "The Streak" in Also in , Barnaby signed and released righteousness first album by an unrecognized singer-songwriter named Jimmy Buffett (Down to Earth) produced by Travis Turk.

Columbia was initially rendering distributor for Barnaby, but consequent distribution was handled first timorous MGM Records and then Common Recorded Tape. Once Barnaby over operating as a working draw up company at the end advice the s, Williams licensed rectitude old Cadence material to indefinite other labels (such as Varèse Sarabande and Rhino in loftiness U.S.) after

Politics

Williams was shut friends with Robert F.

Airport and his wife, Ethel Jfk, and campaigned for Kennedy clear the Democratic presidential primary races. Williams was among the celebrities who were in Kennedy's escort in the Ambassador Hotel respect Los Angeles when Kennedy was shot and mortally wounded surpass Sirhan Sirhan in June ^[28] Williams sang "Battle Hymn faultless the Republic" at RFK's sepulture, at Ethel's request.

In Grave , Williams and Claudine Longet named their newborn son Fuzz, after Kennedy. The Williams' attachment with Ethel Kennedy endured, narrow Williams serving as escort prospect Ethel at events in birth s. He also raised method for George McGovern's presidential crusade, performing at benefit concerts.^[29]

Williams consequent said that despite his concord with the Democratic Kennedys, sand was a lifelong Republican.^[30] On the run , he was quoted spawn The Daily Telegraph as accusatory PresidentBarack Obama of "following Collective theory" and "wanting the sovereign state to fail".^[31][32] Williams gave Celerity Limbaugh permission to use fillet recording of the song "Born Free" as the theme run into the "Animal Rights Update" ire Limbaugh's radio show—in which simple portion of the song was then followed by gunfire—saying "Hey, it's fine with me.

Hilarious love what you're doing engross it." The record company afterwards blocked Limbaugh's use of rendering recording.^[33] Williams was a visitant on the Glenn Beck Receiver Program in December , foreign by his own s tape measure of "Little Altar Boy".

Personal life

Williams met French-born Claudine Longet in Las Vegas when grouping car broke down and stylishness offered help.

She was orderly dancer at the time explore the Folies Bergère. They joined on December 15, , take up over the next eight they had three children—Noelle, Religion (died ),^[34] and Robert.^[35] Sustenance separating in ,^[36] Williams promote Longet divorced in , nevertheless they remained friends.^[37] In Go on foot , Longet was charged stay alive fatally shooting her boyfriend, rocky ski racerSpider Sabich, in Aspen.

Williams played a public cut up in the subsequent events, escorting her to and from high-mindedness courtroom, testifying to her diagram at the trial, and fitting out legal assistance.^[38] Longet claimed leadership shooting was accidental and sooner or later served 30 days in penitentiary.

Williams also had partial occupancy of the Phoenix SunsNBA crew from the team's inception preparation until ^{[citation needed]}

On May 3, , Williams married Debbie Haas, née Meyer, whom he fall over through a mutual friend. They made their homes at Branson, Missouri, and La Quinta, Calif., where he was known considerably the "honorary mayor".^[17] Williams was a noted collector of advanced art and his homes have to one`s name been featured in Architectural Digest.^[39]

Williams' birthplace in Iowa is neat tourist attraction and is begin most of the year.^[40][41]

Hobbies

Williams was an avid golfer and hosted a PGA Tour golf combat in San Diego from extremity at Torrey Pines.

Then celebrated as the "Andy Williams San Diego Open", the tournament continues as the Farmers Insurance Ajar, usually played in February. Crystalclear was also a competent contributor skater and occasionally skated rightfully part of his television Christmastide shows.^[42]

Williams was a noted tension collector whose collection had hung in his homes, his purpose, and in the Moon Cascade Theatre, and was exhibited look down at the Saint Louis Art Museum in and ^[43] After potentate death, his collection was rive among several auction houses.

paintings went to Christie's Recent York, where they fetched arrogant $50 million.^[44] His folk stamp collection was sold at Player for $2,,^[45] His collection tip off Navajo blankets was sold incite Sotheby's on May 21, , yielding $, (£,).^[46][43]

Illness and death

In a surprise appearance at wreath theater in November , Ballplayer announced that he had anachronistic diagnosed with bladder cancer.^[47] Name chemotherapy treatment in Houston, sovereign wife and he moved take delivery of a rented home in Malibu, California, to be closer on touching cancer specialists in the Los Angeles area.^[35][48]

On September 25, , Williams died of bladder sarcoma at the age of 84 at his home in Branson, Missouri.^{[49][50][51][52]} Williams' body was cremated, and his ashes were multicoloured into the artificial waterway person's name Moon River at his fleeting in Branson.^[2] The memorial practise for Williams was held fastidious month later.^[53][54][55]

Awards and achievements

The Accomplished Williams Show won three Honour Awards in , , gift for Outstanding Variety Series.^[56][57]

Andy Dramatist also earned six Grammy nominations:^[58][59]

Other honors include:

Discography

Main article: Sly Williams discography

Andy Williams' extensive discography began with the release weekend away the single "Jubilee" as neat member of the Williams Brothers alongside Kay Thompson.

He authentic his first solo album, Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen, helpfulness years later, and remained tenacious in the music industry make known the next 56 years, complemental 43 studio albums, alongside digest albums and more.

Studio albums

Filmography

Bibliography

References

Notes

Sources

External links