Artist:Danny Williams
Song:White on White
Album:Hard to Find 45s on CD Volume 7: More Sixties Classics
The 1964 single White on White was a top ten hit. It was the only big hit in the US for singer Danny Williams. He was a much bigger deal in England where he was known as Britain's Johnny Mathis. He was born Jan. 7, 1942 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He grew up singing in church. After winning a talent contest, he joined a touring act called Golden City Dixies. When they toured England in 1959, Williams was spotted by EMI producer Norman Newell and signed to a contract. Williams topped the British charts with his 1961 cover of Moon River from the film Breakfast at Tiffany's. Of course in the US, Andy Williams had the big hit with the song. After a couple more hits in England, EMI thought Williams could be successful in the US. So they sent him to the US to record with United Artists house producer Jack Gold and arranger Don Costa. The 1964 single White on White reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It flopped in England. Williams was way too young to sing a song like this. In the song, it's a father giving his daughter away to get married. Williams was 22 years old. It was written by the songwriting team of Bernice Ross and Lor Crane. They also wrote hits for Patty Duke including the 1965 top ten hit Don't Just Stand There. You can get White on White on this various artists CD from the oldies label Eric Records. Not surprisingly, Williams was swept up in the British Invasion with all the other smooth voiced pop singers. Williams continued to perform and record occasionally. After declaring bankruptcy in 1968, Williams resumed his career and scored a top 30 hit in England with the 1977 single Dancin' Easy. He also did a Nat King Cole tribute show in the 80s. Danny Williams died of lung cancer on Dec. 6, 2005 at age 63. Here's a video of White on White by Danny Williams.
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