"Moon River" singer Andy Williams dies

"Moon River" singer Andy Williams dies

 LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Andy Williams, the popular U. S. crooner of "Moon River," "(Where Do I Begin) Love Story," " Butterfly" and other iconic tunes², died at age 84 on Tuesday at his home in Branson, Missouri, media reports said on Wednesday.

Williams, who was known for his gentle croon, bright eyes and flashing teeth, died after a year-long battle against bladder cancer, his family friends were quoted as saying by The Los Angeles Times.

The singer, who was famous as a hit recording³ artist, Emmy- winning TV host and live performer, spent much of his later life in Branson, where he regularly performed in his own Andy Williams Moon River Theater, a 12-million-dollar state-of-the-art venue⁴ he opened in May 1992.

Earlier this year, a spokesperson said that he was is "in good spirits and getting stronger every day" following cancer treatment. The crooner was even making plans to return to the stage in September. This year is the 75th year for Williams' career in show business.

Born in Wall Lake, Iowa on Dec. 3, 1927, Williams rose to fame from humble⁵ Midwest beginnings in the early 1950s. After parting ways with his three elder brothers, Williams went solo⁶ and rose to fame with "Canadian Sunset," "Butterfly" and others.

Williams was best known for rendering⁷ "Moon River" at the 1962 Academy Awards, where it won for Best Original Song. Although the tune¹, a piece from the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" which was written by Johnny Mercer and composed by Henry Mancini, was originally performed by Audrey Hepburn, it became Williams' signature song.

The singer recorded it for a bestselling album and performed it on his successful television show "The Andy Williams Show," which ran from 1962 to 1971.

His later-year popular hits included "Can't Get Used to Losing You," "Charade," "Music to Watch Girls By" and "(Where Do I Begin) Love Story."

Williams received two Emmy nominations⁸, while the show he hosted garnered⁹ three Emmys.

1 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

2 tunes   

n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• a potpourri of tunes 乐曲集锦
• When things get a bit too much, she simply tunes out temporarily. 碰到事情太棘手时，她干脆暂时撒手不管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

4 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

5 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

6 solo   

n.独奏，独唱；adj.单独的；adv.单独地；v.放单飞，单独表演

参考例句：

• Tara is currently working on a solo album.塔拉眼下正忙着制作个人专辑。
• There's wonderfully lyrical flute solo in the middle of this symphony.在交响乐中间有一段奇妙的抒情长笛独奏。

7 rendering   

n.表现，描写

参考例句：

• She gave a splendid rendering of Beethoven's piano sonata.她精彩地演奏了贝多芬的钢琴奏鸣曲。
• His narrative is a super rendering of dialect speech and idiom.他的叙述是方言和土语最成功的运用。

8 nominations   

n.提名，任命( nomination的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Nominations are invited for the post of party chairman. 为党主席职位征集候选人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Much coverage surrounded his abortive bids for the 1960,1964, and 1968 Republican Presidential nominations. 许多消息报道都围绕着1960年、1964年和1968年他为争取提名为共和党总统候选人所做努力的失败。 来自辞典例句

9 garnered   

v.收集并（通常）贮藏（某物），取得，获得( garner的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Mr. Smith gradually garnered a national reputation as a financial expert. 史密斯先生逐渐赢得全国金融专家的声誉。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He has garnered extensive support for his proposals. 他的提议得到了广泛的支持。 来自辞典例句