• 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:

Fight The PowerPublic Enemy

"Fight The Power" was written for the Spike Lee movie Do The Right Thing. It opens the film and serves as the motif.

Doo Wop (That Thing)Lauryn Hill

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" by Lauryn Hill was the only US #1 hit of the '90s entirely written, produced and performed by a female singer.

Like a Rolling StoneBob Dylan

Bob Dylan's most popular song is "Like A Rolling Stone," which tells the story of a wealthy woman whose money and friends fall away. Dylan offers these mockingly encouraging words: "When you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose."

KokomoThe Beach Boys

"Kokomo" gave The Beach Boys their first #1 hit in 22 years. They picked the title because it sounded tropical.

Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana

Teen Spirit was a kind of deodorant marketed to young girls. That's where Kurt Cobain got the title "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Brass In PocketPretenders

Chrissie Hynde got the phrase "Brass In Pocket" from a Northern England slang term meaning you had some money, "brass" meaning coins.

Editor's Picks

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.