subject: Andy Williams, moon River Crooner, Dies At 84 [print this page] The legendary singer and TV host Andy Williams has died aged 84 after losing his battle with cancer.
According to his rep, Williams passed away last night at his home in Branson, MO after a year-long battle with bladder cancer, TMZ reported.
In his prime, Iowa-born Williams, who died Tuesday night at age 84 at his home in Branson, Mo., was more popular than Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj combined.
His 1963 classic Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, a celebration of the holiday season, remains a Christmas staple on radio playlists around the world.
Williams was in the Top 10 with the theme from Love Story, the Oscar-winning tearjerker. He had 18 gold records and three platinum, was nominated for five Grammy awards and hosted the Grammy ceremonies for several years.
Movie songs became a specialty, fromLove Story and Days of Wine and Roses toMoon River. The longing Johnny Mercer-Henry Mancini ballad was his most famous song, even though he never released it as a single because his record company feared such lines as my huckleberry friend were too confusing and old-fashioned for teens.
The song was first performed by Audrey Hepburn in the beloved 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffanys, but Mancini thought Moon River ideal for Williams, who recorded it in pretty much one take and also sang it at the 1962 Academy Awards. Although Moon River was covered by countless artists and became a hit single for Jerry Butler, Williams made the song his personal brand. In fact, he insisted on it.
When I hear anybody else sing it, its all I can to do stop myself from shouting at the television screen, No! Thats my song! Williams wrote in his 2009 memoir, titled, fittingly, Moon River and Me.
He hosted The Andy Williams Show from 1962-1971. He also hosted the Grammys from 1971-1977.
However, his wholesome image endured one jarring interlude.
In 1976, his ex-wife, former Las Vegas showgirl Claudine Longet, shot and killed her lover, skiing champion Spider Sabich. Longet, who said it was an accident, spent only a week in jail. Williams stood by her. He escorted her to the courthouse, testified on her behalf and provided support for her and their children, Noelle, Christian and Robert.
Also in the 1970s, Williams was seen frequently in the company of Ethel Kennedy, Robert Kennedys widow. The singer denied any romantic involvement.
Retirement was not on his schedule. As he told the AP in 2001: "I'll keep going until I get to the point where I can't get out on stage."
The Moon River singer is survived by his wife Debbie and his three children, Robert, Noelle, and Christian.
