An Iowa Boy Turns 80 Today

1 of Iowa's shining stars, Andy Williams (Howard Andrew Williams) was born on this day in Wall Lake, IA. He started out performing with his 3 bothers as the Williams Brothers. Later he went on to have a very successful solo career. They reguklar reunited on his TV show for the Christmas special. He had a huge string of hits over the years. In the 80s President Reagan declared his voice a "National Treasure", & rightly so. He is still performing as well as operating the Moon River Theatre & Moon River Grill in Branson, MO.

His biggest hits was the theme from Breakfast at Tiffany's, Moon River that he recorded in 1962. Done here with the composer, Henry Mancini, playing at the piano:

There were 2 other movie themes he had hits with:

Speak Softly Love

(The Godfather)

Where Do I Begin

(Love Story)

Can't Get Use to Losing You

Music to Watch Girls By

He helped give the Osmonds their start on his show:

Lida Rose

(Meredith Willson, another Iowa Boy)

& a little bit of Christmas music in keeping with the season:

Silent Night

(W/ ex-wife Claudine Longet)