Legendary Singer Andy Williams Dies At The Age Of 84

Legendary Singer Andy Williams Dies At The Age Of 84

September 26, 2012 by Masterclass Lady 6 Comments


20120926-142459.jpgWe lost another legend in the music business.

On Tuesday, September 25th, the very talented Andy Williams died at his home in Branson, Mo. after a year-long battle with bladder cancer.

He was known not only for his golden, soothing voice but also his warm and captivating stage presence.

He was a songwriter’s dream, as original compositions became instant hits via Andy’s sincere delivery, impeccable phrasing and sound musicianship.

Who can forget “Moon River”, “The Days Of Wine and Roses”, “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” – to name a few of the hundreds of songs he recorded over his lifetime?

And, indeed it was a lifetime. According to People.Com, Andy Williams celebrated 75 years in show business in 2012.

Below, you will be treated to a heartwarming video of “Moon River”, featuring Andy Williams alongside his popular collaborator, the late and great Henry Mancini at the piano.

Mr. Mancini composed this song for the movie, “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” and, via Andy Willliams signature voice, it became a huge hit.

The video brought tears to my eyes and then made me wonder why no one has ever used this song for a TV singing audition? At least, not to my recollection. If I am wrong, please let me know. It’s a great number – absolutely beautiful.

Andy Willliams is survived by his wife Debbie and his three children, Robert, Noelle and Christian.

R.I.P. Mr. Williams. You will be dearly missed.

Entertainment, R.I.P., Singing, Television, Videos
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About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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6 Responses to “Legendary Singer Andy Williams Dies At The Age Of 84”

  1. Gene W September 26, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    That is sad news Rosanne. Your article was very nice. It seems like yesterday that his variety show was on my parents black and white TV, featuring his great vocals and all of the A list of guest of the day. I recall his introduction of the Osmond Brothers before Donny, and Jimmy and way before Marie, just the older brothers and their pitch pipe. A voice from another time that’s good to remember today. Mancini and Burt Bacharach wrote great songs for great voices in those days. If I had only one word to describe Andy Williams it would have to be “smooth,” not only for his voice but for his overall style as well.

    “Moon River” is a great song but if someone sang it at an audition today they would probably get the same reception that the older woman who auditioned last night on the “Voice” received. She was very good, but I guess her song was too old and her style was too old fashioned for the coaches. I think you can get by with one or the other but not both. Not that I agree with that approach, Susan Boyle is doing ok, but I think that’s how the competitions go.

    Andy Williams, a national treasure, R.I.P.

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  2. janey79 September 26, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    Awww MCL, Andy was such a classic! My mom still talks about the show we sent her and my father to for their Christmas present 3 years ago. She declared it, “The best Christmas present ever!” And I love how Sex and the City used Moon River in my favorite scene ever, signifying it’s universal appeal. Unfortunately, I won’t post the link because it contains unprintable language in an adjacent scene, but it’s easily found on YouTube for those who are interested.

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  3. BrotherKarl September 27, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    Thanks for posting this Rosanne …and thanks again for what you did for me yesterday.

    I wasn’t a fan of the crooners (born about 10 years to late) but I clearly remember my grandfathers record collection that he kept in the living room and it was filled with records by Andy Williams, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis. Thats where I first learned the name, but the music I learned of his was from my mother who was a singer. One of my favorite songs I used to love to hear her sing was “Moon River” and when we’d go over to my grandparents she’d put on Any Williams and sing it. From what I understand it wasn’t rare for an African American home to have those records. My folks certainly did.But I was 8 and Motown was being born then and the 15 years of my life thats all I listened too.

    I must say though, if it wasn’t for the music of Andy Williams that my mother sang I;m sure I would not have come to love singing the way that I did. He made a lasting impression in our family and even a larger one for the music industry.

    I hope I don’t scare away the MCL fans again. They seem to disappear when I come and when I leave they come back.. At any rate like I said from the first time I found this site, I’ll always be here. I love this site

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  4. Masterclass Lady September 28, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    Loving all the Andy Williams love here. He was such a remarkable artist – so genuine and so warm. R.I.P. Mr Williams

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  5. janey79 September 28, 2012 at 11:52 pm

    MCL, I thought this blog post from Donny Osmond deserved to be linked here: http://donny.com/2012/09/andy-williams/

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  6. Kariann Hart (@KariannHart) September 29, 2012 at 6:55 am

    What a classic song, MCL. His style of Traditional Pop may not be current but some of Andy’s songs are timeless. Music that moves the heart. RIP Mr. Williams

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