Harry Nilsson, born Harry Edward Nilsson III (June 15, 1941 - January 15, 1994) was an American pianist, songwriter and singer, most popular during the 1960s and 70s. During the course of his career, he recorded an eclectic variety of songs that incorporated many different styles, including hard rock ("Jump Into the Fire"), children's music ("Me and My Arrow"), novelty songs ("Coconut"), and soft rock ("I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City").

Nilsson signed with RCA and released an album, Pandemonium Shadow Show (1967), which was a critical, if not commercial, success. The album included a medley of Beatles songs, "You Can't Do That", and that band quickly became enamored of him, leading John Lennon and Paul McCartney to name him their favorite American singer (and group) at the press conference announcing the formation of Apple Records.

Pandemonium Shadow Show was followed in 1968 by Aerial Ballet, an eccentric album that included "Everybody's Talking", which became a success after it was used as the theme song for Midnight Cowboy.

Nilsson released several albums in the 1970s, one a cover of Randy Newman songs and another the soundtrack to The Point!, an animated children's story, as well as a new hit single, "Without You" from Nilsson Schmilsson (1971), which also included "Coconut" (played during the credits of Reservoir Dogs) and "Jump Into the Fire".

This was followed by A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night (1973), a collection of pre-rock and roll standards arranged and conducted by veteran arranger Gordon Jenkins. During this time, Nilsson and John Lennon became good friends, leading to a much publicized incident when they were thrown out of a club in Los Angeles, California, due to drunkenness. Lennon produced Nilsson's next album Pussy Cats. Nilsson also worked with Ringo Starr on a film, Son of Dracula. Despite some releases over the next decade or so, Nilsson faded out of the music scene and died in 1994 of a massive heart attack. His songs "I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City," "Remember," "The Puppy Song," and his recording of "Over The Rainbow" were featured on the soundtrack of the 1998 movie "You've Got Mail". He also wrote the theme song to the show "The Courtship of Eddie's Father".

Discography

• (1966) Spotlight On Nilsson
• (1967) Pandimonium Shadow Show ("You Can't Do That")
• (1968) Aerial Ballet ("Everybody's Talking")
• (1968) Skidoo
• (1969) Harry ("The Puppy Song", "I guess the Lord must be in New York City")
• (1970) Nilsson Sings Newman
• (1971) Nilsson Schmilsson ("Without You", "Coconut")
• (1971) Pandimonium Ariel Ballet
• (1971) The Point! ("Me and My Arrow")
• (1972) Son of Schmilsson
• (1973) A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
• (1974) Pussy Cats
• (1974) Son of Dracula
• (1975) Duit On Mon Dei
• (1976) ...That's the Way It Is
• (1976) Sandman
• (1977) Knnillssonn
• (1980) Flash Harry (not released in America)
• (1980) Popeye

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