Crooner Andy Williams dies at the of 84
Chicago:
American crooner Andy Williams, whose string of hits like Moon River and annual Christmas TV shows made him a national treasure, has died aged 84 after losing his battle with cancer.
Wildly popular in the 1960's, with 18 gold and three platinum records to his name, the clean-cut master of easy listening and the sentimental soundtrack signed what was at the time the biggest US recording contract.
"Legendary singer Andy Williams passed away last night (Tuesday) at home in Branson, Missouri following a year long battle with bladder cancer, it was announced by his family," his publicist said in a statement.
Born in Wall Lake, Iowa, a son of a railroad worker, Howard Andrew Williams sang in his family's church choir with bothers Bob, Dick and Don -- a precursor for what was to become a 75-year professional singing career.
After World War II, they joined entertainer Kay Thompson in her innovative and sophisticated nightclub act. In his 2009 memoir Moon River and Me, Andy Williams admitted a long affair with Thompson, 18 years his senior, as she coached him professionally.
On his way to earning more gold albums than any other solo performer bar Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Elvis Presley, Andy Williams won an Oscar for his rendition of Moon River in the 1961 hit film Breakfast at Tiffanys.
That led to NBC's signing of Andy Williams for his popular Andy Williams Show in 1962, which was on the air for almost a decade, until 1971.
A frequent host of the Grammys and Golden Globes, Andy Williams was also known for his television Christmas specials and in later years, decked out in his trademark red cardigan, he became an annual fixture in American homes.
Andy Williams was survived by his wife Debbie, and his three children Robert, Noelle and Christian, with French-born dancer Claudine Longet.
Wildly popular in the 1960's, with 18 gold and three platinum records to his name, the clean-cut master of easy listening and the sentimental soundtrack signed what was at the time the biggest US recording contract.
"Legendary singer Andy Williams passed away last night (Tuesday) at home in Branson, Missouri following a year long battle with bladder cancer, it was announced by his family," his publicist said in a statement.
Born in Wall Lake, Iowa, a son of a railroad worker, Howard Andrew Williams sang in his family's church choir with bothers Bob, Dick and Don -- a precursor for what was to become a 75-year professional singing career.
After World War II, they joined entertainer Kay Thompson in her innovative and sophisticated nightclub act. In his 2009 memoir Moon River and Me, Andy Williams admitted a long affair with Thompson, 18 years his senior, as she coached him professionally.
On his way to earning more gold albums than any other solo performer bar Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Elvis Presley, Andy Williams won an Oscar for his rendition of Moon River in the 1961 hit film Breakfast at Tiffanys.
That led to NBC's signing of Andy Williams for his popular Andy Williams Show in 1962, which was on the air for almost a decade, until 1971.
A frequent host of the Grammys and Golden Globes, Andy Williams was also known for his television Christmas specials and in later years, decked out in his trademark red cardigan, he became an annual fixture in American homes.
Andy Williams was survived by his wife Debbie, and his three children Robert, Noelle and Christian, with French-born dancer Claudine Longet.
