Oliver, the pop singer who rose to fame in the late 1960s with his hit songs “Good Morning Starshine” and “Jean”, passed away on February 12, 2000, at the age of 54. He had been battling cancer for several years, according to his family and friends.
Early Life and Career
Oliver, whose real name was William Oliver Swofford, was born on February 22, 1945, in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he began singing as an undergraduate. He was a member of two popular music groups, The Virginians and The Good Earth, and was then known as Bill Swofford.
He adopted the stage name Oliver in 1969, when he signed with producer Bob Crewe, who had worked with The Four Seasons and Frankie Valli. His first single, “Good Morning Starshine”, was a cover of a song from the musical Hair, and it reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in July 1969. It sold over one million copies and earned him a gold disc. Later that year, he released another hit single, “Jean”, which was the theme song from the film The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. It was written by poet Rod McKuen and it peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart. It also sold over one million copies and won him another gold disc.
Oliver performed both songs on several television shows and specials, including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show, and The Andy Williams Show. He also had more modest success with songs like “Sunday Mornin’”, “Angelica”, and “I Can Remember”.
Creative Differences and Later Years
Oliver parted ways with Crewe in 1971, due to creative differences. Oliver preferred a simpler folk sound, while Crewe favored elaborate orchestral arrangements. Oliver resumed the name Bill Swofford and toured hundreds of college campuses in the eastern and southern United States in 1976 and 1977. He also collaborated with other musicians, such as Steve Goodman, and played guitar and sang backup vocals on some of his albums.
Oliver left the music industry in the 1980s and moved to Louisiana, where he worked as a pharmaceutical salesman. He married twice and had two children. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1990 and underwent several treatments, but the disease eventually spread to his lungs and brain. He died in Shreveport, Louisiana, on February 12, 2000, and was buried in Dallas, Texas.
Legacy and Recognition
Oliver is remembered as one of the most popular and distinctive singers of his era, with a smooth and gentle voice that conveyed warmth and emotion. His songs have been covered by many artists, such as Glen Campbell, Andy Williams, and Nana Mouskouri. His music has also been featured in films, such as You’ve Got Mail, and television shows, such as The Simpsons and The Wonder Years.
In 2009, Ted Brown, a native of Oliver’s hometown, asked North Carolina legislators to introduce a resolution in the North Carolina General Assembly to honor Oliver and his contributions to music. The resolution was passed on July 7, 2009, and declared that day as “Oliver Day” in the state.
Oliver’s fans and admirers continue to celebrate his life and music, and pay tribute to his legacy. He is regarded as one of the stars who brightened the musical landscape of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and who left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions.
