Rest in peace, Andy Williams

[marybrewster]

Andy Williams, whose corn-fed good looks, easygoing charm and smooth rendition of "Moon River" propelled him to the heights of music stardom in the early '60s, died Tuesday at his home in Branson, Mo., following a battle with bladder cancer, his family announced.

He was 84, and 2012 had marked his 75th year in showbiz. Williams is survived by his wife Debbie and his three children, Robert, Noelle and Christian.

[marybrewster]

[marybrewster]

[robb_k]

Why is this on The Motown Forum? Was he a Motown artist?

[marybrewster]

Why is this on The Motown Forum? Was he a Motown artist?

Boy, it's a tough crowd in here.

I figured with Andy's decades of support of the Motown artists, especially the Supremes [[who appeared on his show several times), it was appropriate to post here.

Sorry that I upset you so much. I sure hope I didn't ruin your whole day. God Bless you, and God Bless Andy Williams.

And to quote Andy: "You should see, what a lovely, lovely world this would be. If everyone learned to love one another."

[marv2]

Boy, it's a tough crowd in here.

And to quote Andy: "You should see, what a lovely, lovely world this would be. If everyone learned to love one another."

Not for nothing, but that quote should be attributed to the Young Rascals [[Felix Cavaliere, etc..).

[marybrewster]

For those interested, here are a list of Motown artists who appeared on Andy's show, and the air dates:

Irene Ryan [[2-18-64)
The Supremes [[1-22-67)
The Temptations [[12-13-69)
The Jackson 5 [[1-31-70)
Thelma Houston [[2-21-70)
The Supremes [[9-19-70)
Smokey Robinson [[10-31-70)
Gladys Knight [[and the Pips?) [[11-7-70)

[arrr&bee]

Andy williams was a very good singer and he'll be missed,now i may be wrong but didn't[jerry butler]record[moon river first and wasn't his version supposed to be used in the film[breakfast at tiffany's]!!!???ain't tryin to start nothing just saying, anyhow,,,r.i.p.

[Roberta75]

Why is this on The Motown Forum? Was he a Motown artist?

Show some respect please Robb. I doubt Ralph will mind this thread.

Roberta

[Roberta75]

And the heavenly Father said, these are they who have come out of the great tribulation, they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple, and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger and never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes and they will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever.

Thank you God for sharing the talent and the music of your son Andy Williams with us. You are finally home now Mr. Williams. Rejoice in the Lord for he is good.

God bless.
Roberta

[marv2]

Andy williams was a very good singer and he'll be missed,now i may be wrong but didn't[jerry butler]record[moon river first and wasn't his version supposed to be used in the film[breakfast at tiffany's]!!!???ain't tryin to start nothing just saying, anyhow,,,r.i.p.

I am not sure who's came first, but I also always liked Jerry Butler's version a lot.

Farewell Andy Williams.

[jillfoster]

This was always my favorite medley from his show:

[jobeterob]

A musical legend even if he wasn't a soul artist.

[jillfoster]

Show some respect please Robb. I doubt Ralph will mind this thread.

Roberta

I don't see it as a big deal this being in here.. I wouldn't have put it here, but so what. The rule of thumb I go by in which forum to put a RIP thread is this:

Anyone who dies who was signed to Motown I put in here in the Motown forum

Any Non Motown MUSIC figure dies, I put in the main forum.

Any OTHER public figure dies [[Actors, politicans, etc.), I use the clubhouse.

[BayouMotownMan]

I agree it's appropriate and he contributed to presenting the Motown acts on his popular show. I mourn his passing. From all accounts he was a genuinely nice man. And a helluva singer.

[dba]

Don't mind him being included in the Motown thread due to the number of folks he had on his show. It should however be noted that Mr. Williams was an ugly critic of President Obama and gave Rush Limbaugh permission to use his hit recording of Born Free to mock the animal rights movement.

In 2009 Williams said this about the president: "Don't like him at all. I think he wants to create a socialist country. The people he associates with are very Left-wing. One is registered as a Communist. Obama is following Marxist theory. He's taken over the banks and the car industry. He wants the country to fail."

Any positive thoughts I might have had about him for having The Supremes etc. on his show evaporated quickly knowing his personal views.

[ralpht]

I don't mind the thread at all. As a young working musician I played many of Andy's hit songs. He was a gifted vocalist.

[reese]

Andy williams was a very good singer and he'll be missed,now i may be wrong but didn't[jerry butler]record[moon river first and wasn't his version supposed to be used in the film[breakfast at tiffany's]!!!???ain't tryin to start nothing just saying, anyhow,,,r.i.p.

Not sure. But I don't think Andy's version was in the film, either. Audrey Hepburn sang it, and later on Henry Mancini released an instrumental version. I think Jerry and Henry released their versions around the same time. Andy sang it at the Oscars, and his version fronted a gold album.

In any event, it is sad to hear about Andy's passing. I remember watching his tv show when I was a kid. He always seemed like a very nice guy, and I particularly liked when he and his first wife Claudine Longet used to sing together.

[BayouMotownMan]

This is America and everyone is allowed their political views. Obviously Mr. Williams was known more for his singing ability therefore few people in the country took his observations seriously. As far as Born Free goes, Williams did not write the song he was one of many who recorded it. It would likely have been his record company that approved use of the song.

[Glenpwood]

I like Andy Williams music immensely. Do I agree with every political view he has, no, but I bet if I sat down every artist in my record/cd collection and made sure their views matched mine 100% I would wind up junking all of it. Each of you would likely have to do the same. Human beings are complicated at their core. None of are the same which is a plus since it makes life interesting. I can forgive an entertainer who lived 80 plus years that he didn't like a certain presidents politics since his job was as a singer/TV show host not a political pundit or lawmaker. If people are so lazy as to blindly follow a singers views without doing their own homework then in my opinion they get what they deserve. All that said, I will miss the entertainer whose voice was sorely underrated by critics and the general public and wish his family the best during this difficult time.

[dvus7]

Boy, it's a tough crowd in here.

I figured with Andy's decades of support of the Motown artists, especially the Supremes [[who appeared on his show several times), it was appropriate to post here.

Sorry that I upset you so much. I sure hope I didn't ruin your whole day. God Bless you, and God Bless Andy Williams.

And to quote Andy: "You should see, what a lovely, lovely world this would be. If everyone learned to love one another."

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!! Mr. Robb!!

[Roberta75]

I like Andy Williams music immensely. Do I agree with every political view he has, no, but I bet if I sat down every artist in my record/cd collection and made sure their views matched mine 100% I would wind up junking all of it. Each of you would likely have to do the same. Human beings are complicated at their core. None of are the same which is a plus since it makes life interesting. I can forgive an entertainer who lived 80 plus years that he didn't like a certain presidents politics since his job was as a singer/TV show host not a political pundit or lawmaker. If people are so lazy as to blindly follow a singers views without doing their own homework then in my opinion they get what they deserve. All that said, I will miss the entertainer whose voice was sorely underrated by critics and the general public and wish his family the best during this difficult time.

Very eloquently stated Glenpwood.

Yours, with every good wish.

Roberta

[tmd]

My wife and i saw Andy's Christmas show down in Branson two years ago, what an amazing guy at 83 - I was really surprise how tiny he was- could not have been more than 5'4.
A tremendous icon, and was glad to check him off on my bucket list. One of my all time favorite songs is More- and he does a great version of it.

Rest in peace.

[robb_k]

Boy, it's a tough crowd in here.

I figured with Andy's decades of support of the Motown artists, especially the Supremes [[who appeared on his show several times), it was appropriate to post here.

Sorry that I upset you so much. I sure hope I didn't ruin your whole day. God Bless you, and God Bless Andy Williams.

And to quote Andy: "You should see, what a lovely, lovely world this would be. If everyone learned to love one another."

I was NOT being sarcastic. I was being sincere in asking if Andy Williams was a Motown artist at one time. I didn't mean to imply that the thread didn't belong here. I just wondered why it was here, and not on the regular SDF.

"I figured with Andy's decades of support of the Motown artists, especially the Supremes [[who appeared on his show several times), it was appropriate to post here."

I got the answer to my question.

I did not mean to be disrespectful to Andy Williams.

People that know me would not have thought I was being petty and disrespectful.

[milven]

Andy williams was a very good singer and he'll be missed,now i may be wrong but didn't[jerry butler]record[moon river first and wasn't his version supposed to be used in the film[breakfast at tiffany's]!!!???ain't tryin to start nothing just saying, anyhow,,,r.i.p.

Henry Mancini wrote the song for Breakfast at Tiffany's. Jerry Butler and Henry Mancini both had charted hits with the song and they both charted at the same time. Andy was closely identified to the song, and even used it as his opening theme song for his show

[ralpht]

I didn't think there was any disrespect from you, Robb. You've been around here long enough to have impeccable cred.

[robb_k]

I didn't think there was any disrespect from you, Robb. You've been around here long enough to have impeccable cred.

Thanks Ralph. And, of course, I was very sorry to hear that Andy Williams passed on. I don't take such a thing lightly, as my own father died a few months ago, and my mother, only 2 years ago.

[franjoy56]

i LOVE Andy williams voice, and I will be adding some of his tracks to my ipod, gee i am sorry to hear about his passing. He did the Supremes justice by featuring them at least twice, and the second appearance being better than the firs better choreography and movement: Good night Diana wherever you are

[jillfoster]

Don't mind him being included in the Motown thread due to the number of folks he had on his show. It should however be noted that Mr. Williams was an ugly critic of President Obama and gave Rush Limbaugh permission to use his hit recording of Born Free to mock the animal rights movement.

In 2009 Williams said this about the president: "Don't like him at all. I think he wants to create a socialist country. The people he associates with are very Left-wing. One is registered as a Communist. Obama is following Marxist theory. He's taken over the banks and the car industry. He wants the country to fail."

Any positive thoughts I might have had about him for having The Supremes etc. on his show evaporated quickly knowing his personal views.

That doesn't tell the whole story. At the time of his giving his "blessing" for Rush to use "Born Free", Rush's show was much less mean spirited as it has become today, there were more humorous elements incorporated. And the record company DID prohibit him from using it once they got wind of it. But Andy Williams was ALSO in the room when Bobby Kennedy was shot, and sang st his funeral, and also raised money for McGovern in 1972. So yes, he is a conservative Republican, but not a BLIND ultra right winger.

[nathanj06]

I'm not interested in his political views. He always stood out as a very dignified and eloquent man who could sing about anything. He and Johnny Mathis had one thing in common. Very distinctive voices. Andy Williams was a class act as is Johnny Mathis. RIP Andy Williams.

[Glenpwood]

Slight correction, Andy was not in the room when RFK was shot. In his memoir Andy says he was in his hotel room watching the TV waiting for Bobby's signal to know if he and Ethel wanted to go to a club after his speech. Bobby gave the signal so he and Claudine got ready to meet him. His performance of Battle Hymn Of The Republic was very stirring on record. I've never seen footage of the actual performance though since it all happened before I was born....

[marybrewster]

Thanks Ralph. And, of course, I was very sorry to hear that Andy Williams passed on. I don't take such a thing lightly, as my own father died a few months ago, and my mother, only 2 years ago.

I apologize if I came across anything other than ladylike; in no way did I intend your question to come off as disrespectful. I'd like to think we'd all have a little more class than worry about what thread an announcement of a passing was posted in.

Anyway, I'm sorry that Andy passed. Most of us know that he introduced the Osmonds to the world; naturally in the 70's the Osmonds and J5 were at the top of their game in the "boy band" craze.

[marybrewster]

And robb, I'm also sorry to hear about the passing of your father. God speed.

[Kamasu_Jr]

Andy Williams announed that he was battling bladder cancer last year when he had to cancel his annual Christmas show in Branson and the tour. I liked Andy Williams. We have some of his recordings in our library and I watched the PBS documentaries about his old variety show on NBC. He and his brothers had some tight harmonies. They could sing! He did have the Supremes and other Motown acts on his TV show, but why wouldn't he? The Supremes and others attracted viewers and Andy Williams was not a dummy. High ratings meant his show stayed on the air..

I don't agree with what he had to say about Preisdent Obama. It shows fear and misinformation which a lot of people had in 2009 and still have in 2012. But I'm still sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace.

[Roberta75]

Thanks Ralph. And, of course, I was very sorry to hear that Andy Williams passed on. I don't take such a thing lightly, as my own father died a few months ago, and my mother, only 2 years ago.

I am very sorry to hear about your father's passing Robb. May God shower you with comfort.

Yours, with every good wish.

Roberta

[stephanie]

One of the best records that Andy did that was hip is a little ditty called Aint it True and I have it on a 45. I miss him so much especially his Christmas specials. RIP Mr Williams you had one of the best voices in the business and a long running show.

[tamla617]

me and my friends used to get in front of the tv to watch his shows.it wasnt to see him sing tho'.that was mum and dads music[[back then).it was the supremes,temptations and jackson 5 and a bunch of other pop/soul acts. we wanted to watch.and the cookie bear "please can i have a cookie"?, andy was funny.i think the temps did cant get next to you,cloud nine or ball of confusion on different shows .the osmonds werent bad.i did like music to watch girls by and a couple of others.he was a good entertainer.
another part my youth gone,rip.

[robb_k]

Andy williams was a very good singer and he'll be missed,now i may be wrong but didn't[jerry butler]record[moon river first and wasn't his version supposed to be used in the film[breakfast at tiffany's]!!!???ain't tryin to start nothing just saying, anyhow,,,r.i.p.

I don't think Jerry Butler recorded his before Henry Mancini, but, I thought I remember seeing and hearing Jerry Butler sing it at the oscar award ceremonies [[rather than Andy Williams. Am I remembering incorrectly?

[heikki]

Hi!

In Jerry's own words: "Calvin Carter and I argued a lot about what we thought was right musically, but we never got angry about it. For instance, when he brought to me Moon River and said 'this will be a big song for your career', I fell on the floor laughing and said 'you gotta be crazy. It's a waltz, nobody wants to hear that kind of a song in '61 or '62'. He said 'Jerry, listen to me, this is going to be a big song, the motion picture is going to be a big movie, and you have the opportunity to be the first vocal on this thing, because Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini have given us a two-week jump on everybody else in the industry. Do this song, if you don't do anything else'. So, certainly we went into the studio and recorded just that one song, nothing else on the session, and you know in those days to spend 35 000 dollars just to record one song..." [[laughing). He really put his neck out there." [[Soul Express)

Best regards
Heikki