Born: 15 June 1941 · Died: 15 January 1994 · Age: 52
Quick facts
Date of birth15 June 1941
Date of death15 January 1994
Age at death52
NationalityAmerican
BirthplaceNew York City, United States
Editor's Take:
Nilsson was an unusual pop star, because he built his reputation almost entirely in the recording studio rather than on stage. His layered vocals and flexible tenor made him a favourite of other musicians, and the Beatles were among his earliest admirers. He could write original songs, but he was equally good at reshaping other writers' work, as his treatment of Randy Newman's material and "Without You" showed. His later years were marked by excess, lost money and a retreat from the industry. Even so, his catalogue kept finding new listeners through film, television and tribute albums.
Key Milestones
1967: Released Pandemonium Shadow Show, his debut album for RCA Victor.
1969: Saw "Everybody's Talkin'" reach the US top 10 and earned his first Grammy.
1971: Travelled to England to record Nilsson Schmilsson, the most successful album of his career.
1980: Supplied the complete set of songs for the Popeye musical film directed by Robert Altman.
1992: Made his last concert appearance with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band in Las Vegas.
Harold "Harry" Edward Nilsson III (June 15, 1941 – January 15, 1994), sometimes credited as Nilsson, was an American singer and songwriter known for his versatile tenor range, pioneering use of vocal overdubbing, explorations of the Great American Songbook, and Caribbean fusion sounds.
