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Andy Williams

Biography

Zephire Andre Williams was born on November 1, 1936, in Bessemer, Alabama, but was raised in the projects of Chicago, Illinois, where he sang in the choir at Cobbs Baptist Church and briefly served in the U.S. Navy[1]. His musical career began in Detroit in the early 1950s, where he quickly became a standout in the city’s R&B scene, winning amateur contests and catching the attention of Fortune Records[2]. Williams joined the vocal group The Five Dollars (later known as the Don Juans) and became their flamboyant frontman, known for his wild stage antics and rhythmic spoken-word delivery—a style that would later be recognized as a precursor to rap[1][2]. His 1956 hit “Bacon Fat” became a major R&B success, peaking at #9 on the Billboard R&B chart, and established his reputation for songs filled with humor and sexual innuendo[1][3]. After leaving Fortune, Williams wrote and produced for Motown artists, co-writing Stevie Wonder’s debut single “Thank You for Loving Me” and working with Mary Wells, the Contours, and Edwin Starr, whom he also managed[1]. In the 1960s, he signed with Chess Records in Chicago, releasing funk-infused singles like “The Stroke” and “Cadillac Jack,” and collaborated with Ike Turner before personal struggles derailed his career[1][2]. Williams experienced a creative resurgence in the 1990s, recording new albums with artists like Jon Spencer and the Sadies, and remained active until his death from colon cancer in Chicago on March 17, 2019[1]. His legacy endures as a pioneer of rhythm and blues, early funk, and a stylistic forerunner to hip-hop.

Fun Facts

  • Andre Williams earned the nickname 'Mr. Rhythm' from comedian Redd Foxx due to his dynamic stage presence[1].
  • He once performed a stunt where he would fall from a balcony at the Graystone Ballroom, be carried back to the stage, and suddenly jump up to dance, astonishing audiences[2].
  • Williams’ song “Bacon Fat” was so successful that Fortune Records sold the distribution rights to the larger Epic Records[3].
  • A documentary about his life, 'Agile Mobile Hostile: A Year with Andre Williams', was released in 2008[1].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Devora Brown - Record label owner who signed Williams after seeing his performances (Fortune Records singles) [1950s]
  • Ed Wingate - Record label owner who signed Williams after his Mercury/Blue Rock period (Wingate label singles) [1960s]

Key Collaborators

  • The Five Dollars / Don Juans - Vocal group Williams fronted and recorded with (Fortune Records singles (1955–1961)) [1950s–1960s]
  • Stevie Wonder - Co-wrote Wonder’s debut single (“Thank You for Loving Me”) [1960s]
  • Mary Wells - Wrote and produced songs for Wells (Motown recordings) [1960s]
  • The Contours - Wrote and produced songs (Motown recordings) [1960s]
  • Edwin Starr - Wrote, produced, and managed Starr (Ric-Tic label, touring) [1960s]
  • Ike Turner - Collaborated on recordings (Chess Records sessions) [1960s]
  • Jon Spencer - Produced and performed on Williams’ 1990s comeback albums (“Silky”, “Is the Black Godfather”) [1990s]
  • The Sadies - Backing band for Williams’ later albums (“Red Dirt”, “That’s All I Need”) [1990s–2000s]
  • Dick Taylor (The Pretty Things) - Collaborated on later recordings (1990s albums) [1990s]

Artists Influenced

  • Hip-hop artists - Cited as a stylistic precursor to rap due to his rhythmic spoken-word delivery (“Bacon Fat”, “Jail Bait”) [1950s–present]
  • Punk and garage rock musicians - Inspired by his raw, energetic style and comeback albums (1990s–2000s revival) [1990s–present]

Source: Wikipedia

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
The Andy Williams Christmas Album 1963-11-24 Album
Moon River And Other Great Movie Themes 1962 Album
The Andy Williams Christmas Album 1963 Album
Love Story 1971-02-03 Album
Can't Get Used To Losing You / Love, Andy 1963 Album
Merry Christmas 1965 Album
Born Free 1967 Album
Love, Andy 1967 Album
The Shadow of Your Smile 1966-07-22 Album
Honey 1968-05-15 Album
Dear Heart 1965-07-22 Album
Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head 1970-05-13 Album
Get Together With Andy Williams 1969-10-06 Album
Call Me Irresponsible 2014-07-18 Album
Love Theme From "The Godfather" 1972-03-29 Album

Top Tracks

  1. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (The Andy Williams Christmas Album)
  2. Moon River (From "Breakfast at Tiffany's") (Moon River And Other Great Movie Themes)
  3. Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Can't Get Used To Losing You / Love, Andy)
  4. Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season (The Andy Williams Christmas Album)
  5. Where Do I Begin - Love Theme from "Love Story" (Love Story)
  6. A Summer Place (Moon River And Other Great Movie Themes)
  7. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (The Andy Williams Christmas Album)
  8. The First Noël (The Andy Williams Christmas Album)
  9. Sleigh Ride (Merry Christmas)
  10. Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Tags: #christmas-music, #easy-listening, #easy-listening-soundtracks-and-musicals

Heard on WWOZ

Andy Williams has been played 14 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Dec 11, 202519:22poor mr santaR&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Dec 8, 202519:30Rudibaker's Christmas WishBlues and R&Bw/ Gentilly Jr.
Nov 27, 202519:25PASS THE BISCUITSR&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Nov 24, 202519:03It's Gonna Work Out Fine (With Ronnie Spector)Blues and R&Bw/ Gentilly Jr.
Nov 20, 202521:04PASS THE BISCUITSR&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Nov 14, 202520:09glueMusic of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold
Nov 3, 202515:17YOU GOT IT & I WANT ITfrom RIB TIPS AND PIG SNOOTSBlues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe
Oct 23, 202521:27three blind mice.R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Oct 23, 202521:23bury me deepR&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri
Oct 23, 202521:16humatic manR&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri

View all 14 plays