Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On December 3, 1927, multi-platinum recording artist and Emmy-winning television host Andy Williams was born in Wall Lake. Over a 70-year career, Williams entertained audiences with hits like “Moon River” and as host of “The Andy Williams Show.”
After moving first to Ohio and later to California, Williams served in the US Merchant Marine during World War II before embarking on a decades-long career in the entertainment industry. Although he and his brothers first got their start singing on WHO-AM Des Moines in 1938, his big break came singing with Bing Crosby in 1944. A six-time Grammy nominee, Williams recorded 43 albums in his career and created memorable hits. Williams amassed three platinum records and 15 gold records during his career.
Starting in 1962, Williams built on his early success acting in film adaptations of musicals to star as the host of “The Andy Williams Show.” The variety show featured a variety of acts over a nearly ten-year run, and audiences loved short comedy sketches. Eventually, the network moved the show to a three-time-a-year special format. Later in his career, Williams's Christmas Specials drew good ratings from viewers across the country.
Although Williams spent much of his life outside of Iowa, he continued to care for his hometown through donations to projects, including the 2005 community center, which he helped open with a performance. Today, the Wall Lake Historical Society operates the Andy Williams Birthplace home and museum. #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryCalendar
Comments