Singer Andy Williams Dead At 84
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — American singer Andy Williams is dead at the age of 84.
Williams' publicist Paul Shefrin confirmed the singer died Tuesday night at his home in Branson, Mo., following a year-long battle with bladder cancer.
Williams recorded 18 Gold and three Platinum-certified albums, with hits that include "Canadian Sunset," "Butterfly," "Can't Get Used to Losing You," and most famously, "Moon River."
He also hosted The Andy Williams Show, a variety show from 1962 to 1971. Williams was most famous for his Christmas specials.
He was born in Wall Lake, Iowa, on Dec. 3, 1927.
Williams married dancer Claudine Longet in 1961 and the couple had three children. They divorced in 1975, but remained friends.
He remarried in 1991 and moved to Branson with wife Debbie Meyer. While in Branson, Williams opened the Moon River Theater and continued preforming into his 80s.
The singer also had a home in La Quinta.
Williams also served as host of a hit TV variety show that introduced the world to Donny and Marie Osmond and the Osmond Brothers, including the youngest, Jimmy, who told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO that Williams has been an inspiration to him as far back as he can remember.
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"I thought every kid did what I did..Andy made us all feel that comfortable on stage," Osmond said. "It's a huge loss for us, he was not only our friend but our mentor."
