In Memoriam: Host Cindy Rhodes and SIDEWALKS were honored to interview the legendary singer, Andy Williams.
Video Content: Andy Williams (2009)
In this 2009 interview with SIDEWALKS host Cindy Rhodes, Andy Williams talked about his memoir, “Moon River and Me.” Plus, he gave us some stories about opening his theatre in Branson and how he was introduced to the song, “Moon River.”
Mini-Biography:
In Wall Lake, Iowa, Andy Williams‘ career started with his siblings and their singing group, The Williams Brothers. When they moved to Los Angeles, the brothers gained a short-lived national following. Soon after, Williams went on with his solo career, where he found success on Steve Allen’s “Tonight Show.” Williams had a string of hit singles, including “Canadian Sunset,” “Butterfly,” “The Hawaiian Wedding Song,” “Are You Sincere,” “The Village of St. Bernadette,” “Lonely Street,” “I Like Your Kind Of Love,” and “Can’t Get Used to Losing You.” In all, he had eighteen gold and three platinum-certified albums. Known as “Mr. Christmas,”
Williams has recorded eight Christmas albums over the years. In 1962, Andy became the star of his own weekly television variety show, called “The Andy Williams Show,” until 1971. The series is noted for establishing the Osmond Brothers and Marie Osmond, as well as presenting Bobby Darin, Dick Van Dyke, Jonathan Winters, Ray Stevens and The Lennon Sisters. He returned to television to do a syndicated half-hour series in 1976–77.
Williams is known for “Moon River,” a song composed by Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and Henry Mancini (music). It was originally sung in the motion picture, “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” by Audrey Hepburn, but it became the theme song for Williams , who first recorded it in 1961 and performed it at the Oscar® ceremonies in 1962. “Moon River” won that year’s Academy Award® for “Best Original Song” and a 1962 Grammy Award® for “Record of the Year.” From the 13th Annual Grammy® Awards in 1971 through the 19th show in 1977, Williams hosted the most Grammy® telecasts, totaling seven consecutive shows. Since 1992, Andy was the first non-country star to open a theater in Branson, Missouri, where he performed several months each year. On September 25, 2012, Andy Williams died at the age of 84.
Interview Credits:
Recorded: October 14, 2009
Videographer (for Cindy Rhodes): Ray Alvarado
Editor: Richard R. Lee
Special Thanks To: Viking Books and Walter Newkirk