Danny Williams (whose Little Girl Are You) Has Died

[Gene-r]

From www.telegraph.co.uk

Danny Williams, who died on December 6 aged 63, recorded what many regard as the definitive version of Moon River, the ballad which became a Christmas hit and spent 19 weeks at No 1 in the British charts in 1961.

The song was composed by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer for Audrey Hepburn, who sang it in Breakfast at Tiffany's, winning the composers an Academy award for best song. Although an original score album to the film was released, it did not contain Audrey Hepburn's version. Instead a version recorded by Mancini and his chorus was taken from the album and released as a single, reaching the top 40.

When Williams was approached to record the song, he was initially reluctant, complaining that the lyrics ("We're after the same Rainbow's end / Waitin' round the bend / My huckleberry friend") made little sense; but he relented after seeing the film.

After his version reached No 1, Williams's hero Nat King Cole was approached to record Moon River as a solo single, but turned it down, saying that he could not do a better job than Danny Williams. The ballad was subsequently covered by many others, including Andy Williams, who adopted it as his theme song. Though Danny Williams had several other ballads in the lower reaches of the charts, he never repeated the success of Moon River and spent most of the remainder of his career on the night club and cabaret circuit, where he retained a faithful following.

Danny Williams was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on January 7 1942 and began his singing career with a troupe called the Golden City Dixies. In 1957, during a tour of Britain, his boyish innocence and mellifluous tenor voice caught the attention of a talent scout who signed him up to the EMI label. As well as Moon River, he had hits with Jeannie (1962), Wonderful World of the Young (1962), Tears (1962), My Own True Love (1963), More (1963) and White on White (1963), a song which was also a hit in America.

During the 1960s Williams toured with the Beatles, but later on, though he continued to issue singles from time to time, he struggled to find suitable material and was plagued by personal and money problems. In 1968 he suffered a nervous breakdown and, two years later, was declared bankrupt. He was, however, rewarded for his tenacity when, in 1977, he reached No 30 with a song called Dancin' Easy, based on a jingle from a television commercial.

In the past few years, with the resurgence of interest in 1960s pop, Williams was experiencing the beginnings of a revival in his fortunes. This year he toured the country in a tribute show to Nat King Cole and in his own cabaret show. He had also been invited to do a charity show, followed by a commercial tour, in South Africa; and he will feature on an album to be issued shortly by the musician and producer Adam Sky.

Danny Williams was married three times. He is survived by his son, the actor Anthony Barclay, by two daughters and by his long-term companion, Daniella.

[Guest FreeJimmy]

Hi Gene-R

Gene-R has just posted a new topic entitled "Danny Williams (whose Little Girl Are You) Has Died" in forum "All About the SOUL".

That's sad about Danny, Jimmy said he ran into a couple of times. He could sing, that's for sure.

We at the Free Jimmy Gresham Foundation are aftraid that might happen to Jimmy,

he was framed.

Carla

[Gene-r]

Hi Gene-R

Gene-R has just posted a new topic entitled "Danny Williams (whose Little Girl Are You) Has Died" in forum "All About the SOUL".

That's sad about Danny, Jimmy said he ran into a couple of times. He could sing, that's for sure.

We at the Free Jimmy Gresham Foundation are aftraid that might happen to Jimmy,

he was framed.

Carla

Hi Carla,

With due respect, this post is intended to be a tribute - I am sorry for Jimmy at the same time, but I feel that it is completely inappropriate to use this post as a political platform, especially when feelings run high.

Gene

Edited December 9, 2005 by Gene-R

[Guest]

I played Danny's version of "I Hate Hate" on the radio on Wednesday without any idea that he had just passed. Sad news.

[Jordirip]

I played Danny's version of "I Hate Hate" on the radio on Wednesday without any idea that he had just passed. Sad news.

It's not the same Danny Williams who sang "All those lies" is it?

Jordi

[Guest]

Moon River is an absolute classic... he may be gone but the music will live forever

[Tomangoes]

No kidding, a mates dad bought an original copy of 'whoose little girl are you' at the time of first release. 10 years on or so, can you imagine when this lad was sifting through his dads Elvis and the like, and spotted it!!!

As big a Northern Sound as many others at that time.

A great voice, and a great dance record.

Ed