Something of a journeyman singer, songwriter and producer, ANDRE WILLIAMS enjoyed success at different levels in a remarkable career, which spanned seven decades.

He first tasted success in the mid-1950s as the lead singer in a vocal group who were billed variously as The 5 Dollars, The Don Juans, and/or His New Group.

They appeared as the latter on Williams' 1957 breakthrough Top 10 R&B hit 'Bacon Fat', on the Fortune label, on which Andre's own billing also carried the strapline, 'Mr. Rhythm'.