Andy Williams Reveals Battle With Bladder Cancer

Over the weekend, legendary crooner Andy Williams gave a Missouri audience some troubling news. During his annual Christmas show at his theater in Branson, Missouri, he revealed to the crowd that he has bladder cancer.

"I do have cancer of the bladder," Williams said. "But that is no longer a death sentence. People with cancer are getting through this thing. They're kicking it, and they're winning more and more every year. And I'm going to be one of them."

Over the fall, the 83 year-old "Moon River" singer missed a few scheduled concerts due to an undisclosed medical condition. The theater announced that he would likely miss his holiday performances as well because of the condition. Williams has not yet begun treatment for the cancer.

Williams' Moon River Theater in Branson hasn't yet specified the singer's diagnosis, but the website read that "due to health reasons Andy may not make a live appearance in his Christmas Show."

Williams' announcement on Saturday drew a standing ovation from the crowd. During the show, he sang his hits from the 50s and 60s, including "Can't Get Used to Losing You" and "Butterfly."

Williams earned 18 gold albums and 3 platinum albums in his career, but he's probably best known for his Breakfast at Tiffany's hit, "Moon River." He famously sang the song at the 1962 Academy Awards ceremony.

The singer has hosted Christmas specials on TV and performed holiday shows on the road for years. He recorded "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" in 1963. And from 1962-1971 he hosted "The Andy Williams Show", which garnered him an Emmy.

Williams' autobiography, "Moon River and Me: A Memoir", was published in 2009. He's known for his smooth vocals and was a close friend of the Kennedy family. He sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at Robert F. Kennedy's funeral in 1968. He also sang at the funeral of Michael Kennedy, who was killed in a skiing accident in 1997.

Since 1992, Williams has been appearing in Branson, Missouri on a regular basis. He usually performs two shows a day, six days a week for nine months each year.

Williams told the crowd that, despite his diagnosis, he would be back next September and October.

"I'm going to do the shows I've planned to do," Williams said.