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YouTubeSuperstar Paul Williams
Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Author and Recovery Advocate Paul Williams is one of the most beloved and respected music creators in the world today. A lyricist and composer who has won an Oscar Award, three Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and earned induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, his songs, from “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “You and Me Against the World” to “An Old Fashioned Love Song,” “Let Me Be the One” and “The Rainbow Connection,” have touched millions of people for generations.
Paul Williams is one of the most beloved and respected music creators in the world today. A lyricist and composer who has won an Oscar Award, three Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, an Ivor Novello International Award, and earned induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Williams’ timeless classics ranging from “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “You and Me Against the World” to “An Old Fashioned Love Song” and “The Rainbow Connection,” have touched millions of people for generations. As President and Chairman of the Board of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), he is also a leading spokesman for music creators in the digital age.
He's written for everyone
Williams’ standards have been recorded by such diverse musical icons as Ray Charles, David Bowie, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, The Carpenters, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross, Willie Nelson, Gonzo and Kermit The Frog. Although Williams is widely known as an actor in dozens of films and on television, it is his musical legacy that continues to inspire. His songs and scores have received six Oscar, nine Grammy, six Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations. “The Rainbow Connection,” from the children’s classic The Muppet Movie, has recently been added to the Library Of Congress’ National Recording Registry, a collection of “audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.” It is also one of two Williams’ songs that grace the American Film Institute’s List of Top Movie Songs of All Time; the second, “Evergreen,” is from the award-winning Barbra Streisand/ Kris Kristofferson remake of A Star Is Born. Additional song scores include the cult favorites Phantom of the Paradise and Ishtar, as well as The Muppet Christmas Carol, Bugsy Malone, and Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas, the latter of which has now been adapted for the stage. Paul created the story and wrote the songs for Disney’s Emmy-nominated A Muppets Christmas: Letters To Santa and penned the music and lyrics for Garry Marshall’s theatrical sensation Happy Days. His more recent work has remained wonderfully diverse, having co-written “Beyond” and “Touch” (which he also performed, receiving a Grammy as Featured Artist) on Daft Punk’s chart-topping, ‘Album of the Year’ Random Access Memories. He has also collaborated with Gustavo Santaolalla for the animated film, The Book of Life which received a World Soundtrack Award for their “Apology Song” and in 2021, the pair co-wrote “If It’s To Be”, performed by Kali Uchis for Maya and The Three.
Recovery Troubadour
In addition to music creators’ rights, Paul is also passionate about recovery, and works tirelessly to destigmatize alcoholism and addiction. His career, life, and work in recovery have been chronicled in the acclaimed documentary, Paul Williams Still Alive, for which Paul wrote the critically acclaimed title track. Sober 33 years, his humorous observations of life, love, and creativity, augmented by the education and knowledge he gained through his studies and certification from UCLA as a Certified Drug Rehabilitation Counselor, has been shared in a best-selling book co-written by Tracey Jackson, entitled Gratitude and Trust: Six Affirmations That Will Change Your Life which was featured on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday.
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Hi Sandy,
I just happened upon your Graham Gouldman interview today, and the first of your podcasts I’ve listened to was most enjoyable. It’s funny because last week I went down a ‘rabbit hole’ after spotting something about Peter Noone on socials, and tracing back his and Herman’s Hermits careers. Gouldman’s name came up, naturally, and so then I trawled through his and 10cc’s history.
I really enjoyed your interview with Gouldman: very informative, easy and well balanced.
I’ve just jumped on to your website and started listening to the first episode with Paul Williams. Only three minutes in but what a sweet guy. I’m looking forward to more. BTW, you asked who I/your audience might like to hear from. I quickly scanned your list and you might have covered them but Peter Noone is quite a fun character. and it surprised me how talented he was and still is. I’ve been getting back into ELO lately in a big way, and Jeff Lynne is an incredible musician, songwriter, arranger, producer… a legend of the modern music industry . I’m looking foward to hearing your interview with Bev Bevan about his time with ELO. But I would love you to get Lynne. The other day I listened to Mark Gillespie’s album Only Human, probably for the first time in around 30 years. It was and is outstanding. I just discovered he passed away late last year and read a little of his amazing selfless life in Bangladesh. Fascinating story and would make a wonderful doco.
Trust you and all your family are well, and thanks for the entertainment value of your podcast. And to quote Paul William’s, “…if the Big Amigo is willing…”, may you also be continuing your passion of interviewing till 80 and beyond.
Warm regards,
Mark