Return To 60’s Main Menu Recording Artists Of The 60s
DANNY WILLIANS
“WHITE ON WHITE”
(L. Crane, B. Ross)
United Artists 685
No. 9 May 16, 1964
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Throughout the pre-Beatle 60s, South African-born Danny Williams functioned as England’s cloned
answer to Johnny Mathis. From his very first Mathis-molded smoothie in 1961, “We’ll Never Be This
Young Again,” through his chart-topping rendition of “Moon River” and his top 10 tune, “Wonderful
World Of The Young,” Danny could do little wrong with British audiences.
Williams, who was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa on January 7, 1942, had been singing profession-
ally since his 13th year. While he was touring London with an African-based show called “The Golden City
Dixies,” record producer Norman Newell heard Dan’s calming, crooning voice. Newell secured Danny a
recording contract with the HMV label, and in 1960, Williams and his family moved to London.
A pile of singles were issued before Williams managed to connect with an American audience. “White On
White,” a variation (possibly unintentional) on Bobby Vinton’s “Blue On Blue” tale, was Danny’s only
stateside hit. His follow-up, “A Little Toy Balloon” (#84, 1964), made the Hot 100, but none of his
successive releases did. Strangely, neither single was a hit with his homeland, where well into the ’70s, he
continued to work cabarets and concerts.