‘Moon River’ singer Andy Williams dies at 84

American singer Andy Williams has died on Tuesday due to cancer at age 84...

10:28 27 September 2012

The infamous Andy Williams, popularly known for his version of the song ‘Moon River’, has passed away at his home in Missouri at 84-years-old. The news came on Tuesday - a year after the star was diagnosed with bladder cancer, his representative has confirmed.

 

A message on his website reads: “WE WILL MISS YOU ANDY! Thanks for the 75 amazing years of entertainment!”

 

The American, who was born in Iowa, US, in 1927, expressed he would continue his carrier, despite being told he had the disease at the end of 2011.

 

As mentioned by the BBC, Andy viewed his recording of ‘Moon River’, which went on to win an Oscar award and appeared in the popular film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, as his “signature song”. He regarded it as having “timeless” lyrics. Andy is also known for songs such as ‘Butterfly’ and ‘Can't Get Used to Losing You’.

 

“I never tried to sing like anybody else, fortunately I didn't sound like anybody else. It just happened,” he told the BBC.

 

“I was very lucky that I had a voice that sounded different to almost anybody else's and it's recognisable.”

 

Andy first began singing with his three brothers at his local church choir. The brothers then went on to achieve huge success as professional singers, before deciding to split some few years later. Andy even appeared as a backing singer on Bing Crosby’s hit ‘Swinging on a Star’ in the 1940s.

 

Having conquered the stage singing, Andy tried his hand at TV with the award winning show The Andy Williams Show spanning the 1960s. This led to his international stardom. The programme is remembered by many for hosting the Osmond family.

 

The 1990s saw Andy with his own theatre called The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre. And he has even been praised by American President Ronald Reagan, who reportedly regarded him as a “national treasure”, with the singer being known to have had a soothing voice.

 

Andy, who is divorced from Claudine Longet since 1975, leaves behind his wife Debbie and three children. 

 

Andy Williams released his autobiography three years ago which was entitled ‘Moon River and Me: A Memoir’.