• December 3, 1927 - September 25, 2012
• Andy Williams started singing on radio stations with his three brothers when he was eight.
• Moving to Los Angeles in 1943, the Williams Brothers sang backing vocals on Bing Crosby's 1944 hit record "Swinging On A Star."
• Andy Williams went solo in 1953. His career took off after he landed a spot as a regular on Tonight Starring Steve Allen the following year.
• Williams signed a contract with Archie Bleyer's Cadence Records in 1955. He achieved his first Top 10 the following year with his third single for the label, "Canadian Sunset." His 1957 cover of Charlie Gracie's "Butterfly" became his only US chart-topper.
• Williams established himself as one of the most popular of all American ballad singers, with a long run of Top 40 hits, including "Can't Get Used to Losing You," "Music To Watch Girls Go By" and "Love Theme From The Godfather."
• He sold over 100 million records worldwide. Williams was so popular that at one time he had earned more Gold-certified albums than any solo performer except Frank Sinatra.
• He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a television variety show, from 1962 to 1971, which won three Emmy awards for outstanding variety program.
• Williams introduced The Osmonds to the world via his variety show. They were regulars from 1962 to 1969.
• Williams recorded eight Christmas albums over the years and today he is best known to many for his perennial holiday hit, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

Comments: 1

• Nolan Kelley from Houston TexasI know Andy Williams was a great interpreter a classic songs but did he write any songs himself?

More Songfacts:

Give It AwayRed Hot Chili Peppers

If what you get equals what you give away, you might as well give it all away. That's the concept behind "Give It Away" by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

CruiseFlorida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise" spent 24 weeks on top of the Country chart - the most ever until Sam Hunt's "Body Like a Back Road" was #1 for 34 weeks. The record was previously held by Eddy Arnold's "I'll Hold You in My Heart (1947-48), Hank Snow's "I'm Moving On" (1950-51) and Webb Pierce's "In the Jailhouse Now" (1955), which each led for 21 weeks.

GhosttownMadonna

"Ghosttown" was Madonna's 45th chart-topper on the Dance Club Songs chart, breaking the record for the most #1s an artist has tallied on a single Billboard chart.

Sour TimesPortishead

The eerie percussion and guitar for Portsihead's "Sour Times" was sampled from Lalo Schifrin's "Danube Incident," music composed by the Argentine composer for an episode of Mission Impossible.

Nothin' On YouB.o.B

When "Nothin' On You" reached #1 on the Hot 100, B.o.B became the first American act whose name is a palindrome to top the chart. The other two who did so prior to the Atlanta rapper were both Scandinavian groups - ABBA and A-Ha.

Rocket QueenGuns N' Roses

The moans of pleasure in the Guns N' Roses song "Rocket Queen" are authentic.

Editor's Picks

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?