The Harry Nilsson Web Pages


Harry Nilsson News (2024-09-05)


Herbie Flowers - "Jump Into the Fire" Bass Player - Has Died

Herbie Flowers died on September 5, 2024, at the age of 86. Flowers was a member of several groups including Blue Mink, T. Rex, and Sky. As a session musician, he played bass guitar, double bass, and tuba on recordings for artists including Elton John, David Bowie, Lou Reed, David Essex, Al Kooper, Bryan Ferry, Cat Stevens, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Harry Nilsson.

 

Flowers played bass on Nilsson's Nilsson Schmilsson album and created the famous "detuning bass" part in "Jump into the Fire."

 

Harry Nilsson News (2023-09-05)

The Dream Weaver Has Died

Gary Wright died at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California, on September 4, 2023. Although best known for his solo hits "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive" - and having been born and raised in the US - Wright first caught the attention of music fans as a member of the British band Spooky Tooth in the late 1960s. Wright left the band in early 1970 to begin a career as a solo artist and session musician.

 

In 1971 Harry Nilsson recorded "Without You" which was destined to be his biggest hit. Rick Wakeman played the piano for an early take of the song, Nilsson and his producer, Richard Perry, decided that Wakeman's track was "too busy, too complex."

 

So we replaced Rick Wakeman with Gary Wright and he began, just like you hear on the record, very simple. It was just right![1]

 

 



Harry Nilsson News (2023-09-01)


The Lost Weekend: A Love Story Released on Home Video

A Blu-Ray of The Lost Weekend: A Love Story is being released in mid-October of 2023. It is currently available for pre-order from Amazon.com. The film is also available for purchase online through Amazon Prime.

 

Harry Nilsson News (2023-07-10)


Bob Segarini Has Died

Songwriter and performer, Bob Segarini, died in his sleep on July 10, 2023. He was 77 years of age.

 

Patty Faralla, a press agent for RCA, introduced Segarini to Harry Nilsson in 1965.

 

Harry and Bob wrote a song together. Segarini's group, Family Tree, released their version of "Miss Butter's Lament" on their 1968 album Miss Butters album. Nilsson's recording of the song went unreleased until 1995 when it appeared on the Personal Best - The Harry Nilsson Anthology album.

 

At Patty’s apartment the first time we met, we passed an old acoustic guitar back and forth and played our songs for one another. [...] Harry is dutifully impressed when I play him a tune or two. I hand him the guitar, and he starts singing: “Well in 1941 a happy father had a son.... [...] "Holy crap," I thought, "this guy is amazing."

 

In 1967, Bob introduced Harry to Diane Clatworthy, the secretary of the Family Tree fan club. Diane and Harry married on December 31, 1969, in Las Vegas.

 

Segarini wrote a song, "He Spins Around" about his friend, Harry Nilsson. It was released as the B-side of single in 1968 then on the CD release of the Miss Butters in 2007.

 

Harry and Bob's relationship soured in the mid to late 1970s as Harry's lifestyle became intertwined with the Beatles, drugs, and alcohol.


The last time I saw Harry was in line at the Carnegie Deli in New York. He was in front of me in an overcoat and I recognized the back of his head somehow. He was on his way to London to hang out, record, and move into Ringo’s flat for a while. He looked world weary, but still had the old twinkle in his eye. We reminisced while his limo idled out front, caught up, and had a few laughs waiting for our medium old fashioned (pastrami) on a Kaiser with double mustard, pickle on the side. When I asked after Diane, he said that they had gotten divorced, the twinkle in his eyes dimming, with what I could only imagine was caused by leaving his wife and young son behind, of abandoning them, of becoming his father.

 

 

Harry Nilsson News (2023-03-30)


Walk of Fame Star for Bill Bixby Campaign Meets Major Goal

Brandon Cruz's effort to have a star for Bill Bixby added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame has reached a major goal. The Go Fund Me account to raise money for the star has reached its goal and now the process for having the star approved and installed has begun.

 

You can follow the effort at:

 

https://m.facebook.com/100028543013324/

 

More Harry Nilsson News ...


Featured Article of the Day


Nilsson!

From February 15 to April 1, 1998, the Muziektheater in Amsterdam, Holland, presented "Nilsson!" a play based on the life and music of Harry Nilsson.

 

"Nilsson!" is based on a concept by Bill van Dijk. Developed under the working title of "Late Last Night," the play takes place over the last two seconds of Harry's life as he reflects on his life and music with characters such as John Lennon appearing as hallucinations experienced by Harry and seen by the audience.

 

I was enthralled by Harry's voice, lyrics, humor and irony when I first heard him sing in the late sixties. The fact that he never performed live, that he had said that he'd make 21 albums and stopped at number 20, his biggest hits were not his own, his non-relationship with a live audience, and the fact that the Beatles dubbed him best singer and band intrigued me. Instead of making a tribute album I thought that his material had such theatrical substance that I decided to make a musical play about him. My intentions are to reveal his genius to a new, young audience.
With the help of Jeroen van den Berg, Brigit Odett, Endemol Entertainment Inc., and a brilliant cast, a long lived dream of mine has come true.
-- Bill van Dijk

 

As the one and a half hour musical play opens, it is 1994 and Harry wonders if his reluctance to performing has made him less well-known especially among the younger generation. John Lennon appears and tells Harry that a "new work" performed live is the way of the future. John takes Harry back to 1974 (the Lost Weekend / Pussycats era). There, Harry tries to change his fate, but fate is inevitable. The Lost Weekend becomes a nightmare for Harry, a sinking ship. John pushes Harry into a live performance (synonymous for death), but Harry can't take it anymore and calls out for Una, who is always there for him. Harry dies, at peace with his fate, in her arms.

 

 

Bill van Dijk ("Harry")

 

Bill has starred in numerous musicals around the world from "Hair" to "Les Miserables." He created the role of "Cyrano" at the Neil Simon Theater on Broadway in 1993-94, performed in four feature films, and represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest. As a songwriter singer he's written a number of hits for others and recently made a solo album of his own songs (Songlines) with Jan Akkerman (guitarist of the legendary band Focus).

 

Marjolein Keuning ("Una")

 

Marjolein played in the musicals "Cats," "Les Miserables," and "Closer than Ever." She played a leading role in the television series, "Women's Wing" ("Vrouwenvleugel") which is situated in a women's ward in prison. Currently, she hosted the Netherlands number one TV show "That Lovin' Feeling" ("Het Gevoel Van") which broke all Dutch viewing records.

 

Jim de Groot ("Lennon")

 

Jim played in the feature film, Vincent and Theo. "Nilsson!" is Jim's theatre debut. Jim, (who looks exactly like John Lennon) is the son of legendary Dutch popstar Boudewijn de Groot. He has his own band, Babyface Armstrong.

 

Lottie Hellingman ("Diane"/"Joy")

 

Lottie won the Danny Kaye children's award. At the age of 19 she received rave reviews for her first leading role in the musical play, "Far Out" ("Eindeloos"), and played the part of "Ellen" in "Miss Saigon." She has been touted as the Netherlands' brightest young talent of the future.

 

Jeroen van den berg (Writer)

 

Jeroen has written and directed numerous plays for different repertory companies. He has his own theatre company, "Oranjehotel".

 

Brigit Odett (Director)

 

Brigit started as assistant director on "Les Miserables" and now directs numerous plays and musical plays such as "Sweeny Todd," "Ghost Train," and "Jane Eyre." She also teaches at the Theatreschool in Brussels.

 

A synopsis of the play:

 

  • Salmon Falls (Harry) "Salmon Falls" from Nilsson!
  • Prologue
  • Remember (Diane)
  • Diane warns Harry that he has to play live. Harry says he never performs live.
  • Mr. Richland's Favorite Song (Band)
  • Intro to Harry's live performance.
  • Jump into the Fire (Harry)
  • Harry performs live and has a heart attack.
  • Remember (reprise) (John)
  • Harry hears strange voices.
  • (Thursday) Here's Why I Didn't Go To Work Today (Joy)
  • Harry enters Bar where he used to hang out in the seventies - where Joy works.
  • One (Una)
  • Una sits at home watching television.
  • Lifeline (Harry)
  • Harry sees John Lennon appear who tells him that they should create new work instead of "the best of".
  • Will She Miss Me (Harry/Una) "Will She Miss Me" from Nilsson!
  • Harry and John travel back to the seventies. Una thinks of Harry.
  • What's Your Sign? (Harry/John)
  • Harry and John go out on the town.
  • Early in the Morning/Jealous Guy (John) "Early in the Morning" from Nilsson!
  • John tries to call Yoko, but gets no reply.
  • You're Breaking My Heart (Diane)
  • Diane leaves Harry.
  • One/Without You/Lifeline (Harry/Diane)
  • Harry wants to change history but realizes that fate has taken hold of him.
  • What's Your Sign (reprise) (Harry/John)
  • Harry and John go from bar to bar.
  • Lean On Me (Una)
  • Una, as a young woman, meets Harry - Harry doesn't want to know.
  • Together (Harry/John)
  • Both men are lost and need each other's help.
  • Many Rivers to Cross (Harry/John)
  • Harry and John decide to make an album.
  • Jump into the Fire (John) "Jump into the Fire" from Nilsson!
  • John convinces Harry that they should perform live.
  • Down (Harry)
  • Coughs up blood in his attempt to perform live.
  • I'll Never Leave You (Harry/Una)
  • Harry can't take it any more and calls out for Una.
  • Turn On Your Radio (Harry) "Turn on Your Radio" from Nilsson!
  • Harry dies In Una's arms.
  • Perfect Day (Una/Diane/John/Band)
  • Epilogue. John has organized a surprise party in heaven. They've bought Harry a coffin.

 

Nilsson! was staged at:

 

Werktheater

Oostenburgergracht 75

Amsterdam

Netherlands

 

Werktheater is a small (300 seat) theater where new plays and musical plays preview and try out to see whether these productions have the possibility to play in bigger theaters and longer runs.

 

 

The songs, performed in English, are beautiful and sensitive. [...] Lottie Hellingman's performance gives you the goosebumps.

Hervorm Nederland

Maartje Luif

 

Lennon [is] convincingly brought to life by Jim de Groot. [...] Once the last note has resounded, one wants to do what Nilsson asks, "Turn on your radio and listen to my song."

Parool

Dirk-Jan Arensman

 

Beautiful, clean setting, atmospheric slides. [...] Not a bad word about this small tasteful production. [...] The excellent script, by Jeroen van den Berg, has it all: humor, tragedy, suspense.

Telegraaf

Marcel Peereboom Voller

 

Bill van Dijk is the perfect Harry Nilsson.

Trouw

Frank Verhalen

 

Slick four-piece band which plays at pop concert loudness. [...] Van Dijk and de Groot are worthy followers of Nilsson and Lennon - two giant talents whom we painfully see fall into decay. [...] Bill van Dijk's farewell song, 'Turn on Your Radio,' is a gem.

NRC

Henk van gelder

 

Fabulous compositions. [...] Surprisingly well acted by pop musician Jim de Groot.

Algemeen Daghiad

Nico Heemelaar

 

Lennon-Nilsson dialogues are so sharply written and are played with such zeal that these excerpts are enough to tell a rounded story. [...] Singing. movement. acting. Lottie Hellingman has it all. [...] Bill van Dijk is clearly in his element. [...] This production makes you want to find the unreleased tapes of Harry Nilsson.

VoIkskrant

Patrick van den Hanenberg

 

 

Welcome to the Harry Nilsson Web Pages

This site is dedicated to the music and memory of Harry Nilsson. From the late 1960s through the early '90s, Nilsson produced music that both challenged norms and celebrated the past - often within the same song.
On first listen, his early Pandemonium Shadow Show is just an appealing collection of bouncy pop songs, a product of the time when it was released. But, on closer listen songs like "1941" and "Without Her" feature poignant and wistful lyrics on top of their upbeat, pop melodies. To the listener in the late 1960s, the melodies and songs, such as “Freckles” sometimes invoked what would have seemed a nostalgic air, but they still sound fresh more than fifty years later.
Nilsson remained unconventional throughout his career. He never toured to support an album and he made few TV appearances. He released an album of songs which were all written by another songwriter. He recorded an album of standards in front of an orchestra. He followed up his best selling album and song with an album featuring a song pretty much guaranteed to surprise, if not offend, his new fans.
Harry ventured into movies and TV, creating a classic animated story (“The Point!”) and writing the music and songs for the once-panned, but now cult favorite, film Popeye starring Robin Williams.
In the last years of his life, after his friend John Lennon was shot and killed, Harry stepped back from music and, ironically perhaps, more into the public eye as the spokesperson for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence advocating for sensible gun laws in America.
A heart attack took Harry’s life in early 1994. Yet, his memory lives on in the hearts and minds of his friends, family, and fans. And his music lives on with Sony releasing a comprehensive collection of his works on CD and his music being featured prominently in TV and movies.