Remembering ‘Moon River’ singer Andy Williams

>>> andy williams died last night, and the late '60s and '70s were often remembered for the late counterculture music, but andy williams was the opposite of that, loved by millions, and always close to his midwestern roots. here is kevin temple.

>> reporter: he may not have penned it, but " moon river " belonged to andy williams .

>> i'm going your way

>> reporter: the classic handsome, velvet-voiced crooner, clean-cut, even in the '60s, an iowa boy, he performed with his brothers even before going solo . for almost ten years he hosted the andy williams show on nbc. helping to put another group of singing brothers, the osmonds, on the map. he also introduced america to the three-year-old marie.

>> will you save me a dance?

>> okay.

>> reporter: he said the clarity and warmth and grace of music, shaped my beginning. the andy williams christmas special became a family tradition . although some could blame him for the advent of the sweater. among his achievements, 18 golds and three platinum recordings.

>> what he represented was a time of change, something safe and family-friendly.

>> glory, glory hallelujah

>> reporter: williams sang the battle hymn of the republic , at his close friend, bobby kennedy 's funeral in 1968 . but as time passed, his easy listening style fell from favor, and williams saw it was time to move on.

>> it is a little more difficult to sell than it was 20 years ago. but there is an audience there.

>> reporter: and he found the audience in branson, missouri, where he built the moon river theater, and where tonight, the show will go on.

>> and that is our broadcast for this wednesday night. thank you for joining us. i'm savannah guthrie , for brian williams