2009 Towering Performance recipient Andy Williams burst onto the national stage on Steve Allen’s Tonight! show in 1953, and label deals and top 10 hits followed. 1962 became a pivotal year when his label change to Columbia Records produced the Top 10 pop hit “Can’t Get Used to Losing You,” along with a collaboration with Henry Mancini, which inspired Andy’s signature song, “Moon River.” Other major chartbusters for Williams came with the movie theme songs “Days of Wine and Roses” (1962), “Dear Heart” (1964), and “Love Story” (1970).
The incredible success of his weekly variety show The Andy Williams Show (l962-1971) made him a household name. During that time, he dueted with such singing legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Peggy Lee, and kept audiences enthralled week after week. The series won three Emmy Awards for “Best Musical/Variety Series.” Andy’s Christmas specials aired well into the 1990’s, and were among the most popular of the genre. He has recorded eight Christmas albums over the years and has been penned as Mr. Christmas. Andy opened Caesar’s Palace in 1966 and went on to headline there for 20 years. In 1992, he built a state-of-the-art theater in Branson, MS, which was christened the Andy Williams Moon River Theater.
His phenomenally successful career is into its 74th year and still going strong.