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Danny Williams

 
Artist: Danny Williams
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists

Similar Artists:

Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Gene Pitney, Neil Sedaka

Performed Songs By:

Henry Mancini
See Danny Williams Lyrics
  • Born: January 07, 1942, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
  • Died: December 06, 2005
  • Active: '60s
  • Genres: Vocal Music
  • Instrument: Vocals
  • Representative Albums: "The Very Best of Danny Williams", "The Best of Danny Williams", "The Essential Collection

Biography

Singer Danny Williams earned the nickname "Britain's Johnny Mathis" for his smooth and stylish way with a ballad. All of his hits occurred in the U.K., with the exception of one, "White on White." The single landed in the Top 10 in the U.S. in 1964, but ironically it bombed in the U.K. A native of South Africa, the vocalist stepped to the forefront of his church choir at the age of six, when he was tapped as a soloist. By the age of 14, he competed for a spot in a production called Golden City Dixies, which was based in Johannesburg but set to tour England and other countries. Williams took top honors in the competition and started touring with the company. His next break came in 1959, when his performance caught the attention of Norman Newell, a producer. Before the year was over, Williams was part of the stable of artists at HMV Records and had put out "Tall a Tree," his debut single. He also appeared on television's Drumbeat. Several singles followed before Williams scored in a big way with "Moon River." His version of the song, which was crafted by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, soared to the top of the charts just two years after he started recording. The following year in the U.S., crooner Andy Williams put out his rendition of "Moon River," the theme to Breakfast at Tiffany's, and it was forever after identified with him.

In 1962, Danny Williams continued to do well in the U.K., climbing into the Top 10 with "Jeannie" and "Wonderful World of the Young." The latter was originally recorded by Andy Williams. During the 1970s, the British singer continued to record, but his Philips and Deram releases didn't make much of a splash. He also played the club circuit during this time. He got another taste of chart success in 1977 with the Ensign release "Dancing Easy," which landed in the U.K.'s Top 40. Recordings followed on EMI/Columbia and Piccadilly. He began recording for Prestige Records in the early '90s. He went on to perform in the Nat King Cole Tribute Show, starting in 1994. ~ Linda Seida, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Danny Williams (musician)
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Danny Williams (7 January 1942 – 6 December 2005[1]) was a South African pop singer.[1] Williams earned the nickname, "Britain's Johnny Mathis", for his smooth and stylish way with a ballad.[2]

Career

Born in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa,[2] Williams won a talent contest at the age of 14 and joined a touring show called Golden City Dixies that played throughout South Africa.[2] In 1959, the show came to London where Williams impressed EMI's Norman Newell, who signed the young singer to a recording contract.[2] He was to spend most of his life in the United Kingdom, where at first he made a few moderately successful singles, mainly popular ballads, before scoring a Number One hit with his cover version of "Moon River" in 1961.[1] To this day it remains his most famous record. It led to his appearance in a film about a pop group, directed by Michael Winner, called Play it Cool (1962) which starred Billy Fury. In 1963, Williams joined a 20-city tour which featured The Beatles on the bill; like many other ballad singers of the day, he was swept away by the new beat group era.

Williams had no more major British hits, even though "White On White" became popular abroad and was his only U.S. Top Ten hit, charting in 1964 (#9 Pop, #3 MOR[3]). He continued to record for HMV until 1967 while working the nightclub circuit. In 1968 he had a nervous breakdown and was declared bankrupt two years later. However, he resumed his singing career in the early 1970s, achieving a Top 30 success with "Dancin' Easy" in 1977.[1] In the early 1990s he recorded for Prestige Records and subsequently starred in a Nat "King" Cole tribute show which made several British tours.[2] Compilations of his early recordings, including "Moon River", have recently been issued on CD.

He died in December 2005 of lung cancer at the age of 63. Williams was married three times, and is survived by his partner Daniella, two daughters and a son, the actor Anthony Barclay.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 603. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  2. ^ a b c d e "Biography by Linda Seida". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3zfqxqugldke~T1. Retrieved 18 June 2009. 
  3. ^ "Allmusic ((( Danny Williams > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3zfqxqugldke~T51. 

External links


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Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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