Harry Nilsson Is Dead

If you are reading this you probably have one of three reactions to this "news".

He's dead? Really?

Of course he's dead, where have you been the last 15 years?

Who's Harry Nilsson?

I took a liking to HN back in the '70's when he had a brief period of popularity and radio play, but to appreciate Harry Nilson's music, you really need to set down with one of his albums to get the gamut of his humor, style and talent. I never knew too much about him except that he won a Grammy for 'Everybody's Talkin' from the movie Midnight Cowboy, a strange movie worth seeing with a great song at the end and that he used to hang out with the Beatles, which are pretty good credentials to come with. I'm still not sure how I became a fan though. Somewhere along the line I picked up the album (remember those?) Nilsson Schmilsson that had some great songs like Without You and (Put the lime in the ) Coconut, which has to be one of the oddest pop songs ever created. This song's got all kinds of credits which you can read for yourself.

Harry Nilsson switched from straight and serious to tongue in cheek without ever missing a beat. Among his other credits are the theme song to "The Courtship of Eddie's Father", "Me and My Arrow." and Spaceman. I don't know that he ever wrote any important songs, but he was at his best when he mixed happiness, humor and nostalgia with a bit of romance.


His best album may have been an early collaboration with Randy Newman called, Nilsson Sings Newman. Newman plays the piano and Nilsson does the vocals. I think it brings out the best in both of them. Too bad they didn't do more together.

Well, Harry Nilsson is dead and has been for some time. I never really followed the man personally. I just liked his music. He had an interesting, somewhat chaotic life and left behind some warm melodies and a bunch of children. I'm glad I came along a time when I could enjoy and appreciate them. I'm glad I get to pass them along to you.

Long Live Harry!