It?s a mark of a special kind of fame when 20- and 30-somethings want to hear about the life of a 79-year-old performer.
Good-natured skits on TV?s “Saturday Night Live” about Andy Williams, the legendary “adult contemporary” star, have left some members of Generations X and Y scratching their heads. Sure, they realize Williams is famous for the renditions of classic Christmas songs he performed on his seasonal television specials and long-running variety show, but other newsworthy items about Williams have faded with time.
“We never got those cultural references,” said Todd Georgealas, a 30-something from Arlington, Va., on being told of the trial of Williams? ex-wife for murder. “On ?Saturday Night Live,? they [make references to Williams? family] but we didn?t know that was what it was about. That?s interesting.”
Just as well. Yes, Williams? public support of his ex-wife and former Folies Bergere dancer, Claudette Longet, through her trial for murder was big ? almost scandalous ? and kept households buzzing for weeks, as did the skit on Williams? show that featured Longet in a skeet shooting gag. Obviously those were not politically correct times.
Suffice to say that Williams, who now lives in Branson and La Quinta, Calif., with his wife, Debbie, put those days behind him long ago. Today he?s best known for his homes, which have been featured in Architectural Digest, his noted art collection, and his 2000-seat Moon River Theatre in Branson, which features many co-headliners including Charo and Glen Campbell.
“Working with Andy is a hoot,” Campbell told TV talk show host Larry King.
Williams thinks so, too, which is why at the time most men are taking life easy he still goes on the road for 12 days, singing such classics as “Moon River” and “Speak Softly, Love,” and holiday classics such as “It?s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
“I still like doing it. I like singing and I love the band,” said Williams. “I don?t feel like I am going to work. I feel like I?m privileged that all of these people want me to get up and sing for them.”
IF YOU GO
Andy Williams
» Venue: 1st Mariner Arena
» Time: 8 p.m. Friday
» Tickets: $57, $67; www.ticketmaster.com; 410-547-SEAT
