Ask: Andy Williams

Dec 17 2006 Answers the questions set by Sunday Sun readers

Today, Sunday Sun readers pop their questions to American music legend Andy Williams.

Few artists can claim hits spanning four decades, but Andy has managed to stay consistently popular with music fans of all ages.

His hits include Moon River, Can’t Get Used to Losing You and House of Bamboo, and his music became known to a new generation of fans in the late 1990s with hit singles Music to Watch Girls By and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.

Andy, 79, first performed with his brothers at the age of eight but his solo career didn’t take off until 1952 when his brothers left the act.

During the 1960s he became one of the most popular vocalists in the US and was signed to what was then the biggest recording contract in history. At one time, only Frank Sinatra, Jonny Mathis and Elvis Presley had more gold albums.

He became the star of his own weekly TV variety show in 1962, giving it up in 1971 in favour of three specials a year. His Christmas Shows on UK TV attracted massive viewing figures.

Andy is in Britain in the summer for 11 concerts, including one in Newcastle on June 27. Tickets are available via the National Credit Card Hotline, on 0870 444 5556, or at www.ticketline.co.uk

Do you find that you still get recognised?

I do yes, but on the whole I enjoy it and find it very flattering. The only time it can be unwelcome is when I’m trying to enjoy a quiet dinner or something and people come over to me.

I know that you started your showbiz career when you were very small. Did you encourage your children to follow in your footsteps?

I have three children and they were all on my Christmas Shows in the 1970s. They were always asked if they wanted to take part and sometimes they did and sometimes they didn’t. One year, one of them decided he wanted to sing, the next year he changed his mind . . . the next year, someone else wanted a go then gave the following year a miss. They all had a chance but I would never force them into the business.

You’ve appeared in a few films in your time. Did you enjoy acting or was it just something that was expected of you at the time?

I enjoyed acting but much preferred live TV . . . I found it more immediate and challenging to me. As for what was expected of me . . . well, I don’t know, but I was a singer.

The Osmonds were regular guests on your show in the 1970s. Do you still keep up to date with them and did you see Jimmy in last year’s I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!?

I live in America so I didn’t get a chance to see Jimmy on I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! but I do keep in contact with the Osmonds a lot and they are quite often performing in the same places I am. I saw Merrill four days ago and talk to Donny and Marie regularly
. . . and Jimmy lives just down my street, in Branson, Missouri.

Do you think you will ever give up touring?

I hope not . . . I certainly don’t intend to. As long as people want to hear me and want to come and see me then I’ll go on.

What do you do with yourself when you’re not touring?

Sleep . . . and plenty of it. I’m also a keen golfer so, when I’m not touring or sleeping, I’m usually playing golf.

What did you think when you made it back into the UK charts in 1999 with Music To Watch Girls By?

I was completely blown away. It was a huge surprise because I’d recorded it years earlier. I got a call from the UK telling me that I was very popular again over there and it was all thanks to TV commercials. Apparently, Music to Watch Girls By and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You were both being used on adverts on the TV and teenagers had been calling radio DJs to find out where they could buy the records. At that time, when I toured the UK, the audience was made up of half teenagers and half the usual age group . . . I had a whole new fan base. It was very interesting.

Of all the songs you have performed, which is your favourite?

It’s got to be Moon River because I just keep on singing it. But I do genuinely love the song and I think it has beautiful lyrics.