R.I.P. Mr. Andy Williams

[Borderstone]

Sad to report,he passed away last night at age 84.

Although Mr. Williams' career was done by the time I first heard songs on the radio in the early 70s at age 4 & up,I di find his music later.

He certainly wasn't rock & roll but as someone who appreciates good singing (as well as musicianship) I can only state that his voice was smooth as silk and clear as a bell made of crystal.

I liked that he was the one who gave The Osmonds their start as well.

On another personal note,in late 2009,I actually collected all 27 of
those hits,plus Moon River.
I even found a rare 45 w/ picture sleeve
of 1968's "Battle Hymn Of The Republic",which was dedicated to the recently assasinated Robert F. Kennedy.

He had 42 albums,two 'live',16 compilations (best of) and 79 singles released in all. Only 27 making the Billboard Hot 100's "Top Forty".

Most people today know him mostly for Moon River.
Which quite suprisingly,isn't one of his 27 top 40 hits (1956-1972).

In my own tribute here on this board,here are those 27 hit singles :

Canadian Sunset"
"Baby Doll"
"Butterfly #1 (His only #1)
"I Like Your Kind of Love"
"Lips of Wine"
"Are You Sincere?"
"Promise Me, Love"
"The Hawaiian Wedding Song"
"Lonely Street"
"The Village of St. Bernadette"
"The Bilbao Song"
"Stranger on the Shore"
"Don't You Believe It"
"Can't Get Used to Losing You" #2
"Days of Wine and Roses"
"Hopeless"
"A Fool Never Learns"
"Wrong for Each Other"
"On the Street Where You Live"
"Dear Heart"
"...and Roses and Roses"
"Ain't It True"
"Music to Watch Girls By"
"Battle Hymn of the Republic"
"Happy Heart"
(Where Do I Begin) Love Story"
"Speak Softly Love (Love Theme from The Godfather)"

and Moon River and all of us. RIP Andy Williams.

[Bill]

Yeah...one more of an era passing away into history. Degrees of separation...two of my grad school professors had connections. One produced Williams' TV specials, and the other produced Breakfast at Tiffany's. Martin Jurow...he told us Moon River made far more money than the film!

[Sydney Steve]

This is getting tiresome.
Can someone please put a stop to these icons going the "motionless tango" ?

Maybe I am showing signs of fosilisation myself but I just can't see easy replacements for people of this ilk from the current middle aged crop. Another legend meets the past tense.

Plus I resent being made feel old because so many of the people who represented the musical establishment when I was getting acquainted with music are now "exes" . A great entertainer..but he had a good innings - nearly 85 is not to be sneezed at.
Talent "wider than a mile"....

[niffer]

Andy Williams was my mother's favorite singer- her Gordon Lightfoot, if you will. And my brother had a huge crush on his former wife, Claudine Longet.

It is very sad to see these icons pass into eternity. Steve, I would stop it if I could

It makes me all the more grateful that we still have Mr. Lightfoot.

[formerlylavender]

Originally Posted by Borderstone

He certainly wasn't rock & roll but as someone who appreciates good singing (as well as musicianship) I can only state that his voice was smooth as silk and clear as a bell made of crystal.

And it isn't Christmas until I hear It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams...RIP

[charlene]

If You Could Read My Mind - Andy Williams ( 1971...

IYCRMM - Andy WIlliams cover..
I remember watching his show when I was a kid...a handsome man with a smooth voice, warm and effortless.

[niffer]

I remember watching his show too. He was a great-looking guy, very pleasant and easygoing.

This cover isn't bad. A little over-produced maybe, but he had a lovely voice.

This was a good find, Char. Thanks for posting it