Singer Andy Williams reportedly near death - UPDATE

[CandyMandy]

Sad. While some of the reports out there conflict, the ones coming from the most knowledgable and neutral sources say Williams -- the crooner of such classics as It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year and Moon River -- has been told his advanced bladder cancer is untreatable:

http://dancirucci.blogspot.com/2012/07/andy-williams-gravely-ill-says-dont-be.html

Moon River
Moon River

 

[ols386]

That's so sad.

I love him and the way he sings.

 

[SkyMedik]

Dislike. His voice is classic.

 

[MIGrandma]

Aw, that's sad. I love his voice, and always enjoyed his TV show too.

 

[ugadog99]

What a smooth, beautiful voice...........

 

[CandyMandy]

To add some context for those who may not be familiar with this performer:

During his high-water mark, from the early 1960s to the early 1970s, Williams had a long-running prime-time weekly variety show on NBC (1962-1971). That program is remembered among things for providing the first national exposure to the Osmond Brothers.

He did a Super bowl Half Time show before they became hyper-fashionable (this shot is from Superbowl VII in January, 1973; dig the outfit):

Williams was actively touring well into his mid 80s. This is him in the UK in 2007:

 

[happygirl]

Funny, I live in the Branson area. Which is where he lives and everything looks like he's improving and is planning to return to his theatre first of Sept.

 

[CandyMandy]

Funny, I live in the Branson area. Which is where he lives and everything looks like he's improving and is planning to return to his theatre first of Sept.

Happy, that's why I said there are conflicting reports out there. The ones originating from Branson (which seem to be from the Tourism Center) imply he is there and state he is "recovering."

The neutral third party ones (not tabloids) all place him presently "at home," ensconced with his immediate family, after "doctors told him they could do nothing more to treat his bladder cancer."

For what it's worth, what I sense here is a scenario almost identical to the one we saw during the last days of Patrick Swayze.

 

[happygirl]

http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-andy-williams-cancer-battle-20120716,0,433510.story

Here is the local story,


I know that he wants to perform for his 75th year of being in showbiz. I hope he is well enough to.

 

[CandyMandy]

http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-andy-williams-cancer-battle-20120716,0,433510.story

Here is the local story,


I know that he wants to perform for his 75th year of being in showbiz. I hope he is well enough to.

Happy, thanks. Obviously, it is hard to reconcile the general "he is doing well" from a vested interest (his production company) with the external reports that the medical prognosis is terminal. Again, while hoping for the best, remember we've seen this precise sort of contradiction before with Patrick Swayze, Rock Hudson, etc.

 

[7165red]

That's great news, I love his voice.

 

[happygirl]

Happy, thanks. Obviously, it is hard to reconcile the general "he is doing well" from a vested interest (his production company) with the external reports that the medical prognosis is terminal. Again, while hoping for the best, remember we've seen this precise sort of contradiction before with Patrick Swayze, Rock Hudson, etc.

I wanna think the best not the worst I guess.

 

[EMom]

I can't hear his name without thinking of Claudine Longet and Spider Sabich. The way he swooped in like a mother bear, AW either still loved her or was determined to protect the mother of his children. It worked. THAT was once known as the trial of the century. I always thought his good guy image helped save her rear end, along with some strategy and good luck.

 

[Planogirl]

My parents listened to him and I associate him with those early days. He has such a smooth, beautiful voice.

 

[lucas]

What a great voice! Love to hear him at Christmas time.

 

[CandyMandy]

I wanna think the best not the worst I guess.

I'm with you, but as my father often said: while you hope for the best, don't forget to prepare for the worst.

And for what it's worth, the below is directly from the current Wikipedia entry for Andy Williams:


On Friday, November 4, 2011, it was reported in the press that Williams has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. The singer confirmed the condition in a surprise appearance that weekend at his theater in Branson, as reported by the Branson Tri-Lakes News.[16] He is undergoing chemotherapy treatments in Houston and will then move with his wife to a rented home in Malibu, California to be closer to cancer specialists in the Los Angeles area.[17]

On July 14, 2012, Andy Williams left hospital as the cancer had spread across his body and returned home to Branson, Missouri to enjoy the rest of his life peacefully.

 

[CandyMandy]

I can't hear his name without thinking of Claudine Longet and Spider Sabich. The way he swooped in like a mother bear, AW either still loved her or was determined to protect the mother of his children. It worked. THAT was once known as the trial of the century. I always thought his good guy image helped save her rear end, along with some strategy and good luck.

Emom has a very sharp memory for the more interesting nuances of a life story. For anyone interested in this real life "the-best-scriptwriters-in-Hollywood-couldn't-have-dreamed-this-one-up" courtroom drama, here's a detailed history of it:

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/celebrity/claudine_longet/index.html

 

[M5ward]

I can't hear his name without thinking of Claudine Longet and Spider Sabich. The way he swooped in like a mother bear, AW either still loved her or was determined to protect the mother of his children. It worked. THAT was once known as the trial of the century. I always thought his good guy image helped save her rear end, along with some strategy and good luck.

I guess I'm dating myself by saying that this is what usually comes to mind when I hear his name too. It was a really big deal back in the day.

 

[KristaTX]

I know some people find it annoying, but his version of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is my favorite secular Christmas recording. I just love it. There's just something about the song itself in combination with his distinctive voice. It just makes me feel joyful .

I watched a show a few years back that was a retrospective of all his old Christmas specials. I'd love to have those on DVD. Or to have a TV channel that showed all those old series and specials with him, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, etc.

 

[Maridw]

So sad.

I married an "Andy Williams". When I worked in CA, a friend remarked that I was marrying an "Andy Williams". One of the secretaries there said "who?" So we had to explain who Andy Williams was. She was too young to know who he was.