Andy Williams

Biography

Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified and three platinum certified. He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a television variety show, from 1962 to 1971, along with numerous TV specials. The Andy Williams Show won three Emmy Awards. He sold more than 45 million records worldwide, including more than 10 million certified units in the United States.
Williams was active in the music industry for over 70 years until his death in September 2012 from bladder cancer, at the age of 84.

Early life and education

Williams was born in Wall Lake, Iowa, on December 3, 1927, to Florence (née Finley) and Jay Emerson Williams, who worked in insurance and the post office. By 1935, he was living in Des Moines, Iowa. While living in Cheviot, Ohio, Williams attended Western Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He finished high school at University High School, in Los Angeles, because of his family's move to California. By 1945, he had moved to West Los Angeles, California. At age 17, Williams joined the United States Merchant Marine and served until the end of World War II.

1938–1952: Early career

Williams had three older brothers—Bob, Don, and Dick Williams. His first performance was in a children's choir at the local Presbyterian church. His brothers and he formed the Williams Brothers quartet in late 1938, and they performed on radio in the Midwest, first at WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, and later at WLS in Chicago, and WLW in Cincinnati.
Moving to Los Angeles in 1943, the Williams Brothers sang with Bing Crosby on his 1944 hit record "Swinging on a Star". They appeared in four musical films: Janie (1944), Kansas City Kitty (1944), Something in the Wind (1947), and Ladies' Man (1947).
A persistent myth alleges that as a teenager, the future singing star dubbed the singing for Lauren Bacall's character in the 1944 feature film To Have and Have Not. According to authoritative sources, including Howard Hawks and Bacall herself, this was not true. Williams and some female singers were tested to dub for Bacall because of fears that she lacked the necessary vocal skills, but those fears were overshadowed by the desire to have Bacall do her own singing despite her imperfect vocal talent.
The Williams Brothers were signed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to appear in Anchors Aweigh and Ziegfeld Follies (1945), but before they went before the cameras, the oldest brother, Bob, was drafted into military service and the group's contract was canceled. Kay Thompson, a former radio star who was now head of the vocal department at MGM, had a nose for talent and hired the remaining three Williams brothers to sing in her large choir on many soundtracks for MGM films, including The Harvey Girls (1946). When Bob completed his military service, Kay hired all four brothers to sing on the soundtrack to Good News (1947).
By then, Thompson was tired of working behind the scenes at MGM, so with the four Williams boys as her backup singers and dancers, she formed a nightclub act, Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers. They made their debut in Las Vegas in 1947 and became an overnight sensation. Within a year, they were the highest-paid nightclub act in the world, breaking records wherever they appeared.
Williams revealed in his memoir Moon River and Me that Thompson and he became romantically involved while on tour despite the age difference (he was 19 and she was 38). The act broke up in 1949, but reunited for another hugely successful tour from the fall of 1951 through the summer of 1953. After that, the four brothers went their separate ways. A complete itinerary of both tours is listed on the Kay Thompson biography website.
Williams and Thompson, however, remained very close, both personally and professionally. She mentored his emergence as a solo singing star. She coached him, wrote his arrangements, and composed many songs that he recorded, including his 1958 top-20 hit "Promise Me, Love", and later, "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" on his 1964 number-one The Andy Williams Christmas Album. Using her contacts in the business, Thompson helped Williams land his breakthrough television gig as a featured singer for two and a half years on Tonight Starring Steve Allen; it helped that the producer of the series, Bill Harbach, was Kay's former aide-de-camp. Thompson also got Williams his breakthrough recording contract with Cadence Records, whose owner, Archie Bleyer, had gotten early career breaks because of Kay and owed her a favor. Meanwhile, Williams sang backup on many of Thompson's recordings through the 1950s, including her top-40 hit "Eloise", based on her bestselling books about the mischievous little girl who lives at the Plaza Hotel in New York.

Thompson also served as a creative consultant and vocal arranger on Williams's three summer-replacement network television series in 1957, 1958, and 1959. In the summer of 1961, Thompson traveled with Williams and coached him throughout his starring role in a summer-stock tour of the musical Pal Joey. Their personal and professional relationship finally ended in 1962, after Williams met and married Claudine Longet, and Thompson moved to Rome.

1953–1961: Cadence years

Williams's solo career began in 1953. He recorded six sides for RCA Victor's label "X", but none was a popular hit.
After landing a spot as a regular on the Tonight Starring Steve Allen in 1954, Williams was signed to a recording contract with Cadence Records, a small label in New York, run by conductor Archie Bleyer. Williams's third single, "Canadian Sunset×Canadian Sunset1965 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1The Bilbao SongA2The Hawaiian Wedding SongA3Lonely StreetA4Do You MindA5You Don't Want My Love (In the Summertime)A6Are You Sincere?B1The Village of St. BernadetteB2Canadian SunsetB3Don't Go to StrangersB4How Wonderful to KnowB5Summer LoveB6Dreamsville", reached number seven in the top 10 in August 1956; it was followed in February 1957 by his only Billboard number-one hit, "Butterfly", a cover of a Charlie Gracie record. "Butterfly" was also number one for two weeks on the UK Singles Chart in May 1957. More hit records followed, including "Hawaiian Wedding Song" (US number 11), "Are You Sincere?" (US number three in February 1958), "The Village of St. Bernadette×The Village of St. Bernadette1960 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1The Village of St. Bernadette3:18A2He's Got the Whole World in His Hands3:02A3Suddenly There's a Valley2:45A4Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep3:09A5He2:52A6You'll Never Walk Alone2:22B1Our Lady of Fatima3:15B2The Three Bells3:41B3Climb Every Mountain3:02B4Sweet Morning2:38B5I Believe2:36B6Look for the Silver3:24" (US number seven in December 1959), "Lonely Street×Lonely StreetDecember 1959 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1You Don't Know What Love IsA2In the Wee Small HoursA3When Your Lover Has GoneA4I'm So Lonesome I Could CryA5Gone With the WindA6Summer LoveB1Say It Isn't SoB2Unchained MelodyB3Autumn LeavesB4Willow Weep for MeB5I'm So AloneB6Lonely Street" (US number five in September 1959), and "I Like Your Kind of Love" with Peggy Powers (US number eight in May 1957).

1962–1980: The Columbia years

On December 15, 1961, Williams married Claudine Longet and signed with Columbia Records. His first album with Columbia, Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing, was a chart success, peaking at number 19. He was then asked to sing "Moon River×Moon River1990 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Moon River2:472Canadian Sunset2:393Can't Get Used to Losing You2:244You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me4:155Dear Heart2:566(Where Do I Begin) Love Story3:127You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You2:388Days of Wine and Roses2:489Love Theme From "The Godfather" (Speak Softly Love)3:0410It Might as Well Be Spring3:08", the theme from Breakfast at Tiffany's, at the 1962 Academy Awards, where it won Best Original Song. Archie Bleyer at Cadence had previously told Williams that "Moon River" would not be a hit, but the Columbia producers encouraged Williams to record the song along with 11 other movie themes for an album. After Williams performed the song at the awards show, it became a hit. Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes then sold across the country, garnering critical acclaim and propelling Williams into stardom. The album remained on the charts for the next three years and peaked at number three. In 1963, Williams's producer, Robert Mersey, encouraged him to record "Can't Get Used to Losing You×Can't Get Used to Losing You1963 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Opening Medley: L.O.V.E. / Love Is Here to Stay2Movie Medley: You Oughta Be in Pictures / Call Me Irresponsible / The Days3MacArthur Park4Born Free5Canadian Sunset6Hawaiian Wedding Song7Can't Get Used to Losing You8Moon River9May Each Day" as the B-side to "Days of Wine and Roses×Days of Wine and RosesApril 1963 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Falling in Love With Love2:04A2I Left My Heart in San Francisco2:54A3You Are My Sunshine2:18A4What Kind of Fool Am I3:10A5When You're Smiling1:37A6Days of Wine and Roses2:37B1It's a Most Unusual Day1:56B2My Coloring Book3:18B3Can't Get Used to Losing You2:10B4I Really Don't Want to Know2:43B5Exactly Like You1:51B6May Each Day2:37". Williams initially did not like the pop song, preferring the Mancini tune, but "Can't Get Used to Losing You" reached number two in the US and UK. The album containing both songs, Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests, topped the album charts at number one for 16 weeks.
From 1962 to 1972, Williams was one of the most popular vocalists in the country and was signed to what was at that time the biggest recording contract in history. He was primarily an album artist, and at one time, he had recorded more gold albums than any solo performer except Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, and Elvis Presley. By 1973, he had earned as many as 17 gold-album awards. Among his hit albums from this period were The Andy Williams Christmas Album×The Andy Williams Christmas Album14 October 1963 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks1White Christmas2:322Medley: Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season2:403The Christmas Song2:354It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year2:345A Song and a Christmas Tree3:586Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells2:067The First Noel3:108O Holy Night3:259Away in a Manger2:5410Sweet Little Jesus Boy3:1911The Little Drummer Boy2:1712Silent Night, Holy Night2:16, Dear Heart×Dear Heart1965 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Red Roses for a Blue Lady2:25A2It Had to Be You2:38A3I Can't Stop Loving You2:26A4Till3:05A5I'm All Smiles2:23A6Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)2:22B1You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You2:35B2Emily2:22B3Almost There2:57B4My Carousel2:26B5Everybody Loves Somebody3:04B6Dear Heart2:52, The Shadow of Your Smile×The Shadow of Your Smile1966 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme From "The Sandpiper")2That Old Feeling3Meditation4Try to Remember5Michelle6Somewhere7The Summer of Our Love8Peg O' My Heart9How Insensitive10Yesterday11Bye Bye Blues12A Taste of Honey, Love, Andy×Love, Andy1967 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracksA1Somethin’ Stupid2:56A2Watch What Happens2:27A3The Look of Love2:53A4What Now My Love2:07A5Can’t Take My Eyes off You3:11A6Kisses Sweeter Than Wine2:50B1Holly2:25B2When I Look in Your Eyes3:18B3The More I See You2:22B4There Will Never Be Another You2:50B5God Only Knows2:51, Happy Heart×Happy Heart1969 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracksA1For Once in My Life2:52A2Where's the Playground Susie?2:49A3My Way3:40A4Wichita Lineman2:52A5Happy Heart3:12A6Gentle on My Mind3:07B1Didn't We3:24B2Memories3:44B3Little Green Apples4:01B4Here, There and Everywhere3:12B5Abraham, Martin and John3:43, Get Together with Andy Williams×Get Together With Andy Williams1969 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracksA1My Cherie Amour3:00A2You Are2:31A3Yesterday When I Was Young3:50A4Love Theme From “Romeo and Juliet″ (A Time for Us)2:35A5Quentin’s Theme (Shadows of the Night)3:07B1Good Morning Starshine4:14B2Sweet Caroline3:23B3Get Together3:54B4More Today Than Yesterday2:56B5Put a Little Love in Your Heart2:16B6Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In3:53, Love Story, and Love Theme from the Godfather. These recordings, along with his natural affinity for the music of the 1960s and early 1970s, combined to make him one of the premier easy-listening singers of that era.
In the UK, Williams continued to reach high chart status until 1978. The albums Dear Heart (1965), Love Andy (1967), Can't Help Falling in Love (1970), Andy Williams Show (1970), Home Lovin' Man (number one, 1971), Solitaire (1973), The Way We Were (1974), and Reflections (1978) all reached the top 10.
Williams forged an indirect collaborative relationship with Henry Mancini, although they never recorded together. Both "Moon River" and "Days of Wine and Roses" were written by Mancini, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Williams sang Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the 1965 Academy Awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) at the 1966 Awards.
On August 5, 1966, the 14-story, 700-room Caesars Palace casino and nightclub opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the stage production of "Rome Swings", in which Williams starred. He performed to a sold-out crowd in the Circus Maximus showroom. He headlined for Caesars for the next 20 years.
On September 17, 1968, Columbia released a single of two songs Williams sang at the funeral of his close friend Robert F. Kennedy: "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria". These were never released on a long-playing record, but have appeared in several compilations of Williams's output.

Williams also competed in the teen-oriented singles market and had several charting hits, including "Can't Get Used to Losing You", "Happy Heart", and "Where Do I Begin", the theme song from the 1970 blockbuster film Love Story. In addition, Williams hit the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart with "Almost There×Almost There1965 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Red Roses for a Blue Lady2:27A2It Had to Be You2:41A3I Can’t Stop Loving You2:30A4Till1:54A5I’m All Smiles2:32A6Who Can I Turn To2:25B1You’re Nobody ’til Somebody Loves You2:38B2Emily2:24B3Almost There3:00B4My Carousel2:11B5Everybody Loves Somebody3:05B6Dear Heart2:52" (1964), "Can't Help Falling in Love" (1970), "Home Lovin' Man×Home Lovin' Man1971 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracksA1Home Lovin Man3:13A2Your Song3:27A3For the Good Times3:37A4Something3:03A5Its Impossible2:47A6We've Only Just Begun3:12B1I Think I Love You2:39B2Candida3:35B3Fire And Rain3:34B4Rose Garden2:28B5My Sweet Lord4:13" (1970), and "Solitaire×Solitaire1973 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Solitaire4:20A2Make It Easy for Me3:10A3You Are the Sunshine of My Life3:09A4Getting Over You3:21A5Remember4:01B1That Is All4:26B2Walk Right Back3:08B3Last Tango in Paris2:36B4My Love3:58B5The Dreamer5:07" (1973).
Williams and Petula Clark recorded "Happy Heart" around the same time, just before his guest appearance on her second NBC-TV special. Unaware that she was releasing the song as a single, he asked to perform it on the show. The exposure ultimately led to his having the bigger hit with the song. The song "Happy Heart" was used for the final scene and end credits of Danny Boyle's award-winning directorial debut film Shallow Grave (1994).

1962–1971: The Andy Williams Show

Building on his experience with Allen and some short-term variety shows in the 1950s, he became the star of his own weekly television variety show in the fall of 1962. Though canceled after 1963 owing to low ratings, the show was then sponsored to make 12 weekly specials in the 1963–64 season. This series, The Andy Williams Show, won three Emmy Awards for outstanding variety program. Among his series regulars were the Osmond Brothers. He gave up the variety show in 1971 while it was still popular, continuing with three specials per year. His Christmas specials, which appeared regularly until 1974 and intermittently from 1982 into the 1990s, were among the most popular of the genre. Williams recorded eight Christmas albums over the years, and was known as "Mr. Christmas", due to his perennial Christmas specials and the success of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".
Williams hosted the most Grammy telecasts—seven consecutive shows—from the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in 1971 through to the 19th Awards in 1977. He returned to television with a syndicated half-hour series in 1976–77.
In the early 1970s, when the Nixon administration attempted to deport John Lennon, Williams was an outspoken defender of the former Beatle's right to stay in the United States. Williams is included in the montage of caricatures on the cover of Ringo Starr's 1973 album, Ringo.
Williams performed during the halftime show of Super Bowl VII in January 1973, held at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

1991–2012: At Moon River Theatre

In June 1991, Williams' brother Don invited him to the small Ozarks town of Branson, Missouri. Don Williams at the time was the manager for Ray Stevens, who had just opened a theater in Branson. While attending Stevens' show, Williams was encouraged by numerous Branson guests to open a venue in the town. This led Williams to build the Moon River Theatre in Branson in time for the 1992 season. Named for his signature song, it went on to become the first venue of its kind to be featured in Architectural Digest, and won the 1992 Conservation Award from the State of Missouri.
Williams originally envisioned marble in the style of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, but opted instead for a design blending in with the rough terrain of the Ozark Mountains. The Larson Company of Tucson, Arizona, fabricated a section of rock on Missouri Highway 76 and added waterfalls, koi-filled ponds, ferns, and trees native to the Ozarks, which were then incorporated inside, with trees and plants throughout all three lobbies. Oak floors accompanied African ribbon-striped mahogany walls filled with pictures from the Andy Williams Show and art from Williams' personal collection, which included works by Frankenthaler, Diebenkorn, Oldenburg, Pollock, Klee, and Moore.
The auditorium accommodated 2,054 people. Seats and carpets matched Williams' Navajo rug collection in forest green, magenta, gold, and blue. On display inside the auditorium were nineteen kimonos. On stage, Williams was joined by Glen Campbell, Ann-Margret, Petula Clark, and Charo.
Williams was the first non-country act in Branson. His success there prompted other pop acts, including Bobby Vinton, Tony Orlando, Wayne Newton, and the Osmond Brothers, to follow.
Williams was featured on three episodes of As the World Turns in 2007, when several characters went to Branson for a concert of "Gwen Munson" held in the Moon River Theatre. The Simpsons featured Williams at his Moon River Theatre in an episode titled "Bart on the Road". Nelson Muntz is an Andy Williams fan and forces the gang to detour to Branson to see his idol. He is reduced to tears as Williams performs "Moon River×Moon River1990 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Moon River2:472Canadian Sunset2:393Can't Get Used to Losing You2:244You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me4:155Dear Heart2:566(Where Do I Begin) Love Story3:127You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You2:388Days of Wine and Roses2:489Love Theme From "The Godfather" (Speak Softly Love)3:0410It Might as Well Be Spring3:08".
In 2007, Williams opened the adjacent Moon River Grill. The decor featured photos from the Andy Williams Show with such stars as Diana Ross, Elton John, and Sammy Davis Jr., and works by artists including Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana.
In 1995, We Need a Little Christmas became Williams' 18th gold album.
His 1967 recording of "Music to Watch Girls By×Music to Watch Girls By15 March 1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Music to Watch Girls By2:372It's So Easy2:283Can't Take My Eyes Off You3:13" became a UK hit to a new young television audience in 1999, when it reached number 9 after being featured in television advertisements for the Fiat Punto and Diet Pepsi, beating the original peak of number 33 in 1967. A new generation was reminded of Williams' recordings and a sell-out UK tour followed, prompting a British revival for Williams. In 2002, he re-recorded "Can't Take My Eyes Off You×Can't Take My Eyes Off You1968 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Can’t Take My Eyes Off You3:13A2Tammy3:07A3The Twelfth of Never2:52A4I Want to be Wanted3:17A5Come to Me, Bend to Me3:25A6Secret Love3:17B1The Heather on the Hill3:02B2Can I Forget You3:44B3It Could Happen to You3:01B4I'm Old Fashioned3:00B5Summertime3:07B6Misty3:24" as a duet with Denise van Outen; it reached number 23 in the UK. He completed a sold-out tour of the United Kingdom and Asia in the winter and summer of 2007, performing at several major venues including the Royal Albert Hall.
Williams returned to the UK singles charts with his 1963 recording of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" in 2007, due to an advertisement for Marks & Spencer, reaching number 21 in its first appearance in the British charts. In 2008, he lip-synched the 45-year-old recording to welcome Santa at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
In 2009, Williams appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in London, singing "Moon River" to promote the UK edition of The Very Best of Andy Williams LP, which peaked at number 10 in the main pop chart.

Business ventures

In 1964, Williams ultimately became the owner of the Cadence master tapes, which he occasionally licensed to Columbia, including not only his own recordings, but also those of his fellow Cadence-era labelmates: the Everly Brothers, Lenny Welch, the Chordettes, Link Wray, and Johnny Tillotson. In 1968, although he was still under contract with Columbia for his own recordings, Williams formed a separate company called Barnaby Records to handle reissuing of the Cadence materials, especially those of the Everly Brothers (one of the first Barnaby LPs was a double LP set of the Brothers' long out-of-print Cadence hits) and new artists. Barnaby also had several top-40 hits in the 1970s with novelty artist Ray Stevens (who had done a summer replacement show for Williams in 1970), including number-one hits such as "Everything Is Beautiful" in 1970 and "The Streak" in 1974. Also in 1970, Barnaby signed and released the first album by an unknown singer-songwriter named Jimmy Buffett (Down to Earth) produced by Travis Turk.
Columbia was initially the distributor for Barnaby, but later distribution was handled first by MGM Records and then General Recorded Tape. Once Barnaby ceased operating as a working record company at the end of the 1970s, Williams licensed the old Cadence material to various other labels (such as Varèse Sarabande and Rhino in the US) after 1980.

Politics

Williams was among the celebrities in Robert F. Kennedy's entourage at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles when Kennedy was shot and killed by Sirhan Sirhan in 1968. Williams sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic×Battle Hymn Of The Republic1968 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksABattle Hymn Of The Republic3:27BAve Maria4:49" at RFK's funeral, at Ethel's request. In August 1969, Williams and Claudine Longet named their son Bobby after Kennedy. The Williams' friendship with Ethel Kennedy endured, with Williams often escorting Ethel to events in the 1970s. He also raised funds for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign, performing at benefit concerts.
During his Branson years, Williams said he was a lifelong Republican. In 2009, he accused Barack Obama of "following Marxist theory" and "wanting the country to fail". Williams gave Rush Limbaugh permission to use his recording of the song "Born Free×Born Free1967 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Born Free2:24A2Somewhere, My Love2:34A3Spanish Eyes2:59A4Strangers in the Night2:29A5Sherry!2:24A6Music to Watch Girls By2:34B1I Want to Be Free3:16B2Alfie2:50B3Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye2:33B4Sunny3:12B5I Will Wait for You2:36B6You Are Where Everything Is3:01" as the theme to the "Animal Rights Update" on Limbaugh's radio show in which a portion of the song was followed by gunfire. "Hey, it's fine with me. I love what you're doing with it," Williams told Limbaugh. The record company later blocked Limbaugh's use of the recording. Williams was a guest on the Glenn Beck Radio Program in 2009.

Personal life

Williams met French-born Claudine Longet in Las Vegas when her car broke down and he offered help. She was a dancer at the time at the Folies Bergère. They married in 1961, and over the next eight years, had three children: Noelle, Christian, and Robert.
After separating in 1970, Williams and Longet divorced in 1975, but remained friends.
In 1976, Longet was charged with fatally shooting her boyfriend, Spider Sabich, in Aspen. Williams played a public role in the subsequent events, escorting her to and from the courtroom, testifying under oath to her character, and providing financial assistance. Longet claimed the shooting was accidental and eventually served 30 days in jail.
Williams also had partial ownership of the Phoenix Suns NBA team from the team's inception in 1968 until 1987.
On May 3, 1991, Williams married Debbie Haas, née Meyer, whom he met through a mutual friend. They made their homes at Branson, Missouri, and La Quinta, California, where he was known as the "honorary mayor". Williams was a noted collector of modern art and his homes have been featured in Architectural Digest.
Williams' birthplace in Iowa is a tourist attraction and is open most of the year.

Hobbies

Williams was an avid golfer and hosted a PGA Tour golf tournament in San Diego from 1968 to 1988 at Torrey Pines. Then known as the "Andy Williams San Diego Open", the tournament continues as the Farmers Insurance Open, usually in February. He was also a competent ice skater and occasionally skated as part of his television Christmas shows.

Williams was a noted art collector whose collection was exhibited at the Saint Louis Art Museum in 1997 and 1998. After his death, his collection was split among several auction houses. His paintings went to Christie's New York, where they fetched over $50 million. His folk art collection was sold at Skinner for $2.5 million. His collection of Navajo blankets was sold by Sotheby's on May 21, 2013, yielding just under $1 million.

Illness and death

In an appearance at his theater in 2011, Williams announced he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. After chemotherapy in Houston, he and his wife rented a home in Malibu, California to be close to cancer specialists in Los Angeles.
On September 25, 2012, Williams died aged 84 at his home in Branson. Williams was cremated, and his ashes were sprinkled into the artificial Moon River at his theatre in Branson. The memorial service was held a month later.

Awards and achievements

The Andy Williams Show won three Emmy Awards in 1963, 1966, and 1967 for Outstanding Variety Series.
Andy Williams also earned six Grammy nominations:

Other honors include:

Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
His version of Silver Bells was also featured in the 2025 film Novocaine.

Studio albums

Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen (1956)
Andy Williams Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein (1958)
Two Time Winners (1959)
To You Sweetheart, Aloha (1959)
Lonely Street (1959)
The Village of St. Bernadette (1960)
Under Paris Skies (1960)
Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing (1962)
Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes (1962)
Million Seller Songs (1962)
Warm and Willing (1962)
Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests (1963)
The Andy Williams Christmas Album (1963)
The Wonderful World of Andy Williams (1964)
The Academy Award–Winning "Call Me Irresponsible" and Other Hit Songs from the Movies (1964)
The Great Songs from "My Fair Lady" and Other Broadway Hits (1964)
Andy Williams' Dear Heart (1965)
Merry Christmas (1965)
The Shadow of Your Smile (1966)
In the Arms of Love (1966)
Born Free (1967)
Love, Andy (1967)
Honey (1968)
Happy Heart (1969)
Get Together with Andy Williams (1969)
Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head (1970)
The Andy Williams Show (1970)
Love Story (1971)
You've Got a Friend (1971)
Love Theme from "The Godfather" (1972)
Alone Again (Naturally) (1972)
Solitaire (1973)
The Way We Were (1974)
Christmas Present (1974)
You Lay So Easy on My Mind (1974)
The Other Side of Me (1975)
Andy (1976)
Let's Love While We Can (1980)
Greatest Love Classics (1984)
Close Enough for Love (1986)
I Still Believe in Santa Claus (1990)
Nashville (1991)
We Need a Little Christmas (1995)
I Don't Remember Ever Growing Up (2007)