The Williams Brothers were a singing quartet that performed extensively on radio, movies, nightclubs, and television from 1938 through the 1990s.

History


The four Williams Brothers—Bob, Don, Dick and Andy Williams—formed a singing quartet in the mid-1930s in Wall Lake, Iowa. Their father, Jay Williams, managed and promoted the group. They entertained on radio stations, first at WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, and later at WLS in Chicago and WLW in Cincinnati, before they moved to Los Angeles in 1943, where they were under contract with the MGM film studio. The Williams Brothers appeared in Janie (1944), Kansas City Kitty (1944), Ladies' Man (1947), and Something in the Wind (1947).
They also appeared with Bing Crosby on the hit record "Swinging on a Star" (1944). This led to a nightclub act with entertainer Kay Thompson from 1947 to 1951. The act was staged by MGM choreographer, Robert Alton. They toured night-clubs and cabarets in the United States and internationally with great success and appeared on radio and television establishing a loyal cult following with their jazz-based harmonies and flamboyant performance style. The act broke up in 1951 and the brothers went separate ways, appearing annually on The Andy Williams Christmas special from 1962 through the 1990s.
Albums:
"The Williams Brothers Christmas Album" Andy Williams & The Williams Brothers, 1969
" Andy Williams & The Williams Brothers" Christmas With Andy Williams And The Williams Brothers, 1970
"Holiday Magic with Andy Williams & the Williams Brothers" 2001
"The Williams Brothers Christmas" remastered 2014

Bob Williams


Robert F. Williams, known as, Bob Williams was born in Wall Lake, Iowa, USA on January 1, 1918. He was a singer and actor. He was on The Andy Williams Christmas Show in 1971. He was a singer on the movie Janie in 1944. He was a singer in Something in the Wind. He united with his brothers yearly from 1962 to 1990 for The Andy Williams Christmas. He died on September 23, 2003 in Terra Bella, California, USA.

Don Williams


Donald J. Williams, known as, Don Williams was born in Wall Lake, Iowa on October 9, 1922. After The Williams Brothers broke up, Don Williams moved back to Los Angeles. In LA he worked on TV shows, where he sang on the Eddie Fisher and Nat King Cole television shows. He put together his own act the "Don Williams Singers" and sang for a number of TV commercials. He was on The Andy Williams Christmas Show. He was an opening act at the new Tropicana Las Vegas hotel where he performed for two years. In 1958 he was in the musical show "Tropicana Holiday". He then became an agent and manager. He united with his brothers yearly from 1962 to 1990 for The Andy Williams Christmas. Don Williams County Park in Iowa is named after him.

Tribute


Liza Minnelli has paid tribute to the Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers act in The South Bank Show (2008). In her 2008 tour, Minnelli devoted much of the performance to recreating the act, using Thompson's trademark music. The success of this tribute led to Minnelli's return to Broadway in December 2008. "Liza's at the Palace!" opened at New York's legendary Palace Theatre, an affectionate salute to her godmother, Kay Thompson. Supported by a quartet of dynamic singer/dancers standing in for the original Williams Brothers, Liza performed musical hits (with the original vocal arrangements) from the famous act, including such numbers as "I Love a Violin," “Clap Yo' Hands," “Jubilee Time", and "Hello Hello". The show won a Tony Award, and was subsequently released on a double CD- preserving the nightclub material in a state-of-the-art recording.

Second generation


Twin brothers Andrew Williams and David Williams (born February 22, 1959 in Henderson, Nevada, USA), nephews of singer Andy Williams, from Henderson, Nevada, recorded as the Williams Brothers in the 1990s, and made the Billboard Hot 100 with their song "Can't Cry Hard Enough" in 1992. As teen idols, they also made the Hot 100 in 1974, billed as "Andy and David Williams", with the No. 92 entry "What's Your Name". This followed an appearance in The Partridge Family.
Teen albums:
"Meet Andy & David Williams" 1973
"One More Time" 1973
They released three albums after their teens:
Two Stories 1987,
The Williams Brothers 1991,
Harmony Hotel 1993.
Compilations album:
"The Williams Brothers: Andy & David" 2002
Singles: Rising Sun 1971
"I Won't Last A day Without You / I'll Love You 1972
"Fly Pretty Baby / Dirt Bike Rider" 1972
"I Won't Last A Day Without You - I'll Love You" 1972
"One More Time" 1973
"What's Your Name" 1973
"I Don't Know Why (I Just Do" 1973
"Baby Love / I Don't Know Why' 1973
"How Long" 1987
"Some Become Strangers" 1987
"Don't Let The Dream Die / Come As You Are" 1988
"Can't Cry Hard Enough" 1991
"Rap On / That's Life"

Articles and reviews


Detroit News Pictorial. December 14, 1947.
Chicago Daily News. Thursday, June 17, 1948.
This Week in Montreal. Friday, December 31, 1948.
Paul V. Coates. “Well, Medium and Rare”. Los Angeles Mirror. Monday, July 31, 1951. p. 10.
Variety. October 3, 1951. p. 64.

References


External links


YouTube

God Will Deliver God Will Deliver - The Williams Brothers

Cooling Water Cooling Water - The Williams Brothers

Living Testimony Living Testimony - The Williams Brothers

Still Here Still Here - The Williams Brothers

Tell Somebody Tell Somebody - The Williams Brothers

If The Lord Say Yes If The Lord Say Yes - The Williams Brothers

Sweep Around Sweep Around - The Williams Brothers

A Ship Like Mine A Ship Like Mine - The Williams Brothers

Never Seen Your Face Never Seen Your Face - The Williams Brothers

Heaven Is Waiting Heaven Is Waiting - The Williams Brothers

How I Depend On You How I Depend On You - The Williams Brothers

So Good So Good - The Williams Brothers

House of Broken Dreams House of Broken Dreams - The Williams Brothers

I Don't Know Why I Don't Know Why - The Williams Brothers

Pray On My Child Pray On My Child - The Williams Brothers

Be There Be There - The Williams Brothers

Jesus Will Fix It Jesus Will Fix It - The Williams Brothers

You Better Check Yourself You Better Check Yourself - The Williams Brothers

I'm Just a Nobody I'm Just a Nobody - The Williams Brothers

Be Alright Be Alright - The Williams Brothers

Do you know of other songs by The Williams Brothers?
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Albums & Songs

  • Cooling Water
  • God Will Deliver
  • Pray on My Child
  • Tell Somebody
  • Heaven is Waiting
  • Still Strong
  • Alone (feat. The Brown Sisters)
  • Let Jesus Lead You (feat. Bishop Carlton Pearson)
  • If I Don't Wake Up
  • Jesus Made a Way
  • Move in Me
  • You Blessed Me Still
  • Living Testimony (feat. Joe Ligon)
  • God So Loved
  • Jesus Will Never Say No
  • Living on the Lord's Side
  • Another Blessing (feat. Lee Williams)
  • I Worship You
  • Grateful
  • Waitin' on Jesus
  • Touch Me
  • Tell Somebody
  • Still Here
  • Personally
  • God Can
  • He Didn't Leave Me
  • One Touch
  • Free
  • Wash Me
  • Home (feat. Gerald Alston)
  • One Yes
  • That's Who He Is
  • Right On
  • I Will Stand
  • Brothers' Real Talk
  • What God Does
  • Alright (feat. The Williams Singers)
  • It's On The Way
  • Everything's Gonna Be Alright
  • Never Seen Your Face
  • Lean on Me
  • I've Been Runnin'
  • Your Change Will Come
  • God Can Work It Out
  • Still Holding On
  • Feel Like Pressing On
  • Mama Prayed for Me
  • Never Let Go of Your Hand
  • After the Storm
  • Everything's Gonna Be Alright
  • Never Seen Your Face
  • Stop By
  • You Didn't Have To
  • Jesus Will Fix It
  • Cover Me
  • So Much to Be Thankful For
  • So Good to Me
  • Steal My Joy
  • Right on Time
  • God's got It
  • Cooling Water
  • You Are (feat. Beverly Crawford)
  • This Is Your Night
  • Just to Say Thank You
  • In This Place
  • Grateful
  • I Give Up (feat. Neal Roberson)
  • For Who You Are
  • For All You've Done (feat. Rev. L.W. Bolton, Jr.)
  • Constantly (feat. D J Rogers)
  • All Things
  • God's Got a Blessing
  • Tell the Angels
  • My Whole Life Has Changed
  • There to Hold Me
  • Welcome Home
  • One Chance
  • That's What He'll Do
  • Still Strong
  • All These Years
  • Can't Run
  • Count It Victory
  • New Day
  • I Get a Blessing Everyday
  • Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand (feat. Dottie Peoples)
  • I Fell In Love
  • Try Jesus
  • Somewhere Around God's Throne
  • God Wants Somebody That's Real
  • Oh Mary Don't You Weep
  • You Oughta Been There
  • A Tribute: And They Were Gone - Reprise (feat. Melvin Williams, Doug Williams & Joe Ligon)
  • A Tribute: And They Were Gone - Part 1
  • You
  • God Bless the USA
  • He Will Fulfill
  • He's Alright
  • Still Holding On
  • Right Where You Are
  • Today
  • Waiting on Time
  • Help Us Jesus
  • Without You I Can't Win
  • Feel Like Pressing On
  • If I Don't Wake Up
  • Never Let Go of Your Hand
  • Down Memory Lane
  • There to Hold Me
  • Use Me
  • Move In Me
  • All These Years (It Ain't Over)
  • The Journey - Outro
  • I Tried Jesus
  • I Won
  • The God I Serve
  • One Chance
  • Alone
  • Time to Be Real
  • Stand On Your Word
  • Still Strong
  • That's What He'll Do
  • All Over
  • He Will Answer
  • The Journey - Intro
  • How I Depend On You
  • Bridge the Gap
  • Get to Know Him
  • God Can Work It Out
  • In This Place
  • Go Through
  • The Man Upstairs
  • His Promise
  • Lord I Need You
  • Cover Me
  • So Good
  • You Blessed Me Still
  • Glad I Met You
  • Reach Out and Touch
  • Peace In My Heart
  • Just Like He Said He Would
  • Fear No Evil
  • Oh How I Need You
  • And They Were Gone
  • Back to the Cross
  • Oh Mary Don't You Weep
  • Never Seen Your Face
  • Never Seen Your Face
  • Above All Others
  • Another Time, Another Place
  • Allow Me
  • Same 'Ol Story
  • Helpless & Hopeless
  • Til' He Comes Back
  • After the Storm
  • In the Midst of the Storm
  • Cooling Water
  • Still Here
  • Bless Me Jesus
  • Mississippi Poor Boy
  • Over Yonder
  • What a Wonderful World
  • You've Been So Good
  • Have You Heard the News
  • Coming Again
  • If You Move, I'll Fall
  • Stand Up
  • Straiten' It Out / Waitin' On Jesus
  • I Feel Good
  • Love Train
  • Still Here (Live)
  • I Don't Know Why (Live)
  • Heaven Is Waiting (Live)
  • Tell Somebody (Live)
  • I Felt a Change, Pt. II (Live)
  • I Felt a Change, Pt. I (Live)
  • I Worship You (Live)
  • All I Need Is You (Live)
  • No In the Middle (Live)
  • Good to Me (Live)
  • My Purpose (Live)
  • Walk With Me (Live)
  • Come As You Are (Live)
  • Jesus Will Fix It
  • How I Depend on You
  • Be There
  • Your Change Will Come
  • Straiten' It Out
  • Waitin' on Jesus
  • This Is Your Night
  • Prayer Made the Difference
  • Somebody Needs You Lord
  • Jesus Will Never Say No
  • Jesus Will Fix It
  • How I Depend on You
  • Be There
  • If the Lord Say Yes (Live)
  • Never Seen Your Face (Live)
  • Pray On My Child (Live)
  • God Will Deliver (Live)
  • Living Testimony (Live)
  • Because You Loved Me (Remix)
  • For All You've Done (Live)
  • You Blessed Me Still (Live)
  • Praisin' (Live)
  • The Medley: So Good; Sweep Around / Ship Like Mine / Prayer Made the Difference / The Goat / I'm Just a Nobody (Live)
  • He Loves You (Live)
  • Because You Loved Me (Live)
  • No Weapon (Live)
  • Never Seen Your Face (Interlude) [Live]
  • Let Jesus Lead You (Live)
  • Waitin' On Jesus (Live)
  • Jesus Made a Way (Live)
  • Don't Leave Me (Live)
  • I'm Too Close (Live)
  • Still Standing Tall (Prelude) [Live]
  • Jesus Will Fix It
  • You Better Check Yourself
  • At the Cross
  • I'll Fly Away
  • Lord, I Just Want to Thank You
  • Trust in the Lord
  • God's Amazing Grace
  • Try God
  • He's Alright
  • For Christmas
  • Down Home Christmas
  • The First Noel (Interlude)
  • Baby Jesus
  • O' Come All Ye Faithful (Interlude)
  • Christmastime
  • Little Town Called Bethlehem
  • Silent Night
  • What Christmas Is All About
  • Celebrate Jesus
  • Thank You for Your Son
  • The Christmas Song
  • No Greater Gift
  • When In Need
  • Get to Know Him
  • A House Without God
  • Go Through
  • Cover Me
  • His Promise
  • God's Got It
  • Take It Jesus
  • Jesus You Brought Me (All the Way)
  • I Felt a Change
  • In a Very Big Way
  • I've Been Runnin'
  • In This Place
  • Wonderful Blues
  • Long ago Last Night
  • Broken Things
  • Love Is the Language
  • Where Would I Be
  • Harmony Hotel
  • Silver
  • Man of the House
  • Don't Look Now
  • Friction
  • Jesus Will Fix It
  • God Will See You Through - Pt. 2
  • God Will See You Through - Pt. 1
  • Mama Prayed for Me
  • It Was You
  • Nothing Blocking My View
  • Jesus Will Never Say No
  • Prayer Made the Difference - Pt. 2
  • Prayer Made the Difference - Pt. 1
  • I Won't Let Go of My Faith
  • He'll Understand
  • How I Depend On You
  • Bridge the Gap
  • God Can Work It Out
  • The Man Upstairs
  • Blessed to Be a Blessing
  • You Are the Reason
  • This Is Your Night
  • Save the Children
  • A Friend Ain't No Friend
  • Where Do We Go from Here
  • Prayer Made the Difference
  • Lord, I Need You
  • A Ship Like Mine
  • Don't Give Up
  • Ain't Love Wonderful
  • I've Decided (Featuring Frank Williams)
  • Have Mercy, Dear Lord
  • I'll Take You There
  • There's a Crown
  • In a Million Words
  • Say the Word
  • You Can't Live In This World (By Yourself)
  • This May Be My Last Time
  • Plenty Good Room
  • If It Wasn't for the Lord
  • Gotta Keep Running
  • He Didn't Have to Do It
  • Don't Forget About Me
  • God Can Make Things Better
  • Mama Prayed for Me
  • Sweep Around
  • God Will Deliver
  • It Takes Faith
  • Never Could Have Made It
  • Beautiful World
  • All the Way
  • What a Difference
  • The Goat
  • I'm Waiting
  • I'm Just a Nobody
  • Thank You
  • Jesus, I Want to Be Like You
  • Keep Praying
  • Lay Your Hands On Me
  • Without You (I Can't Win)
  • Joy
  • I Surrender
  • I've Been Down That Road Before
  • Never Let Go of Your Hand
  • Jesus Is His Name
  • Glory To the Newborn King
  • I'll Be Home For Christmas
  • This Christmas
  • Silent Night
  • Silver Bells
  • Sending Out Love and Peace
  • Family Reunion This Christmas