Toni Williams

Henry Anthony Williams MNZM (28 May 1939 – 1 October 2016), known professionally as Toni Williams or Antoni Williams, was a Cook Island-born New Zealand pop singer, who began singing at the Gandhi Hall in Auckland City where he became a local sensation.[1]

Williams in 2010

Background

Born Henry Anthony Williams[2] on 28 May 1939,[3] in Parekura in the Avarua District of Rarotonga, he was the son of a doctor.[4] Owing to his father's being employed by the New Zealand government, Williams' childhood was taken up by moving between Rarotonga and the outer Cook Islands. He moved to Auckland in 1950 at the age of 11 for schooling. As a youngster he injured himself playing football. With a hip condition as a result, he stayed at the Wilson Home for Crippled Children for a period of time.[4]

Career

Williams cited his interest in the guitar and singing as coming from spending 13 months in hospital as a result of a football accident.[2] Not long after his hospitalisation, Williams formed the Housewarmers, which was a little group that performed at small family events. Two years later, the band by Williams' direction became Toni Williams and The Tremellos. After that things started happening, and he toured New Zealand under the promoter Harry M. Williams.[4]

In 1960 his single, "Cradle Of Love" bw "Brush Those Tears From Your Eyes" was released on the La Gloria label. Also that same year, "Let the Little Girl Dance" bw "In A Mansion Stands My Love", and "Endlessly"/"Is A Bluebird Blue" were released by La Gloria.[5] Williams toured with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and in 1965 he married the Miss Canterbury beauty pageant winner. [4]

In 1972, his single "Tellabout" (composed by Tony McCarthy), was an APRA Silver Scroll-nominated song.[6]

In the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours, Williams was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to entertainment[7]

Death

Williams died in Christchurch on 1 October 2016, aged 77.[8]

Singles
NZ Singles
Name Title Release info Year Notes
Toni Williams ""Cradle Of Love" / "Brush Those Tears From Your Eyes La Gloria G.S.P.-012 1960
Toni Williams "Let the Little Girl Dance" / "In A Mansion Stands My Love" La Gloria GSP-021 1960
Toni Williams " Endlessly" / "Is A Bluebird Blue" La Gloria GSP-023 1960
Toni Williams "Look Over The Hill" / "Down The River Of Golden Dreams" La Gloria GSP-030 1961
Toni Williams "Little Boy Sad" / "The Search Is Over" La Gloria GSP-035 1961
Toni Williams "Runnin' Scared" / "Monsoon" La Gloria GSP-039 1961
Toni Williams "Angel Of Love" / "I'm Tired Of The Rain" La Gloria GSP-044 1961
Toni Williams "You Are My Sunshine" / "Love Came To Me" Viking 112 1962
Antoni Williams "Twistin' The Night Away" / "Think Twice" La Gloria GSP-052 1962
Antoni Williams "Harbour Lights" / "Daddy's Little Boy" La Gloria GSP-057 1962
Antoni Williams "How Many Nights, How Many Days" / "For The First Time In My Life" La Gloria GSP058 1962
Antoni Williams "Handsome Guy" / "For The First Time In My Life" La Gloria GSP058 1962
Antoni Williams "Handsome Guy" / "Amor" La Gloria GSP-059 1962
Antoni Williams "Remember You" / "Dance On Little Girl" La Gloria GSP-064 1962
Antoni Williams "Ole Man M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-" / "Couldn't That Just Tear Your Heart Out" La Gloria GSP-075 1963
Tony Williams "If You Lose Her" / "It's Alright Now" Sunshine QK-1728 1967
Toni Williams "There's No Limit" / "The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" Zodiac 45-1340 1968
Toni Williams "Sad, Lonely And Blue" / "Please Send Me Someone To Love" Zodiac Z45/1334 1968
Toni Williams "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" / "Ten Guitars" Zodiac Z45-1341 1969
Toni Williams "Dominating Man" / "Beautiful Smile" Zodiac Z 451347 1969
Toni Williams "Patterns Of Sunlight" / "Walking In The Sand" Zodiac Z 1361 1970
Tony Williams "I Love My Children" / "You're Not The Crying Kind" Zodiac Z/1348 1970
Toni Williams "Tying The Pieces Together" / "(There'll Come A Day When) Ev'ry Little Bit Hurts" Zodiac Z 1377 1972
Toni Williams "Rose (Can I Share A Bed With You?)" / "Poor Man's Blues" Interfusion K 78 1976 [#11 NZ]
Tony Williams "Rose (Can I Share A Bed With You?)" / "Poor Man's Blues" Festival K-78 1977
Toni Williams "The One I Sing My Love Songs To" / "Amanda" Festival K 79 1977 [#7 NZ]
Toni Williams "Don't Let Me Know" / "She's In Love With A Rodeo Man" Festival K 86 1977

[5]

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gollark: It does NOT block.
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gollark: There is no actual blocking.

References
  1. Bourke, Chris (3 July 2013). "Toni Williams". AudioCulture.
  2. Rockhappenz Toni Williams MNZM
  3. "Death Search: registration number 2016/26779". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  4. Reeves, Rachel (22 October 2010). "Tony still singing strong". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  5. 45cat Toni Williams discography, 45cat.com; accessed October 3, 2016.
  6. APRA Silver Scroll nominated songs 1965-1976, audioculture.co.nz, 30 December 2015.
  7. "Queen's Birthday honours list 2010". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  8. Stewart Sowman-Lund (2 October 2016). "Kiwi entertainer Tony Williams dies at 77". Retrieved 3 October 2016.
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