5 Things You Didn’t Know About “Mr. Christmas” Andy Williams … Including the Strange Place Where His Ashes Are Scattered
It’s the most wonderful time of year — a time when Andy Williams‘ classic tune rings out from speakers everywhere you go. So it’s appropriate that the singer was born on Dec. 3 — the beginning of the holiday season.
This small-town Iowa choir boy turned international musical icon is famous for his enormous signature hits. Twelve years after his death from bladder cancer on Sept. 25, 2012, at the age of 84, Williams is still a fascinating character — and there’s a lot more to the singer than just “Moon River.”
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1 He Was the First Star at Caesars Palace
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Williams began his career as a child, singing with his siblings in the appropriately named Williams Brothers. The group moved to Los Angeles in 1943 and appeared in multiple musicals throughout the decade. In 1947, the band began backing singer Kay Thompson and experienced tremendous success as a live act.
In 1953, the Williams Brothers split for good, but Thompson began to mentor Williams in his solo career. He had a number of Top 10 hits throughout the ’50s, as well as multiple TV shows, and in 1962, after singing “Moon River,” the theme song from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, at the Academy Awards, Williams became a superstar. Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes, the album with Williams’ recording of “Moon River,” stayed on the charts for the next three years.
In the bloom of all of this success, in August 1966, Williams became the first ever headliner at the then-new Caesars Palace casino in Las Vegas. Williams would continue to headline at Caesars Palace for the next 20 years. Las Vegas had already begun a renaissance with the Rat Pack, but Williams’ appearance helped shape the town’s new identity as a place not just focused on gambling but on first-class entertainment.
2 He Gave Friend RFK a Personal Farewell
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Williams’ rendition of the song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” at Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 funeral remains one of the most poignant moments of his career. Williams was a close friend of RFK, so his performance was heartbreaking yet touching to all who were watching.
3 He’s a Christmas Icon
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Christmas wouldn’t be the same without Andy Williams. Over his career, he recorded eight holiday albums, creating a soundtrack for countless celebrations with songs like “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” His annual Christmas specials on television became must-watch events, bringing joy and warmth to families all over the world.
4 His Moon River Theater Helped Change Branson, Missouri
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In 1992, Williams opened the Andy Williams Moon River Theater in Branson, Missouri. Though there were already musician-owned venues in Branson at the time, Williams’ was one of the first by a major star — and the first opened by a non-country musician. The theater became an epicenter of the city’s 1990s boom in tourism, and Williams — who was born in Iowa and lived in California for many years — called Branson home until his death. In fact, his ashes were supposedly scattered in the waterway outside his theater, making Branson his eternal resting place.
5 He Was a Record Label Pioneer
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In 1963, Williams decided to acquire Cadence Records, which he later renamed Barnaby Records. Under his leadership, the label not only showcased his work but also supported emerging artists. It helped secure his legacy as a performer and leader in the music industry, paving the way for those to come.
Now tell us, what is your favorite Williams song? Then play our ultimate ’60s and ’70s pop idol trivia!
Remind 
Home For The Holidays
November 2021
Celebrate the holidays with your favorite classic stars!
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