Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)? (Full Documentary) | Amplified
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- čas přidán 27. 12. 2021
- Brian Wilson, Yoko Ono and Robin Williams are among Nilsson's friends, family and colleagues who delve into the acclaimed singer-songwriter's music, creative process and personal demons.
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I'm72 and discovering all the things I missed while busy living my young life. I missed Harry Nilsson somewhere along the way. And yet many of his songs have been wandering through my life all along. Finding all the things I've missed all these years is keeping me going. It's never too late for a good Harry Nilsson song.
I'm right behind you a year. Harry's music was always playing ... In the background. I was too busy dancing....
I'm 65 and thinking exactly the same as I watch this doco. So many songs I remember but I knew so little about Nilsson.
Amen
So true 👍
Get The Point. Headphones.
I was 6 years old, sick with an respiratory illness in the LA County Hospital in 1971 and this cartoon came on , with Harry Neilson's, " Me And MY Arrow " , came on and I never seen it again .
I had all these tubes in my mouth and in my arms, dying and his music and the cartoon lifted my spirit up.
I played Heavy Metal music back in the 1980's, travel all over and that song , " Me and My Arrow ", came on , even though I was dying that time in the hospital .... that song put a smile on my face ... even to this day .
did you ever do a speed metal version of "me and my arrow"? if not why not do one now?
I must add, My Dad was born in the Caribbean, My Dad spoke very little English, He came to live in the USA after he fought the war in Vietnam. He had EVERYTHING Harry was involved with . And it shocked me to find out later that my Dad understood the lyrics but was embarrassed to try and speak English until he became a Police officer in a small New Jersey town. My old man is in his 80s and still has the albums and still loves Harry. My dad cried the day Mr. Nilsson passed away.
Oh wow,ThankYour Father fir his service
@@adriennerobinson1180 Thank you for honoring my Dad.
The fact he became a police officer is what's incredible. They wouldn't hire a African American but someone from a foreigner it's let's give him a job, because he hates African Americans like we do.
Bxuouooiinoodunumumuionuiixnununiuuxouoinioxuipiunoixxuuuxiinniunonnuiuuixbiixuunuixxiuiuxxuitxyuiinuuxxuixnnuuynnniyuiyuuxunuxxuznuupbizxxxyuuoyyixxinuiuuxuunibunuuyxuynnyuuuxuniuuinuuuuxnxiunuiuinununnuxinnuuunmuxiixuixuxnuyiyiunuxniiuynuiinuiuxiuunuuuuixuixuyyxunuxbnuinunyixyyydnxiuzyyuinnuixuiuonxznnuuxuuxuxxiuuxniouinuopoxuuninoinxxnixuxuixiniuuniuoyixinuuxunixiiiununyiixmxniiuununiunninuniuniuuyuyntiuumnniiuiuuuuduynxuiuunutuyixinuuouuinuuuxunixiopbxuiobvixxuxnopnixunixupxoinoinxuuiinunmuxunxnixuninyuninxxuumimuuuixuiiuuxinuniixnxuunxyuunxxymunnuinunxnyiuxuixuuuunxunuuxnniiuniixixuuxxuyoiuxuxuxiimuxuuyyuuuyuxynxnxinunuyuuxuixiuixuiuyunxxinytyinxxuunuuoinuinunixnnoxununixuunnuuxiuynyninuuniuxuxxuuiuuxnxiinxnunuiinixuuxuixinxnuiniziunxiiiumnunuucuinnuxuuuiunxuinxiunixixunuxunniiyinxuuxyuxxuuxinuinixunnixnunyidunuixoixumiununpuunuinuuinuonuiipunuxyunuuunnxpxuxunuuxunuxnnixnixnuiuinxixuiixxuuuuznyixuuxunxuxniuninuun
Your dad sounds like a class act with amazing taste. Tell him thanks from me.
I love that the Beatles embraced Harry and showered him with so much love.
Truth Indeed
John Hoffman...I totally agree with you on that one. I have been a Beatles fan since I was 3 yrs old. I didnt know that Harry was that close to them. Bless them all. I can only imagine how devestated Harry was when John got shot. I know I was.
Yeah that's great, but is sad how it changed him apparently not for the better though.
Top initiated are all tight
"Meeting the Beetles almost made losing his father at such a young age okay"
Almost -
You can see how that pain affected the trajectory of his life.
Tragic.
The fact that he never toured and did not like crowds makes Nilsson's story even more inspiring. Even without playing live, he still become one of the most influential and respected musicians of his era.
that's called white privilege learn about it.
I used to listen to a remixed version of songs from two early albums that made a stunningly emotional masterpiece, yet his whimsy is always there! Here I am , 68, and wetting the bed! Listen to. Pandemonium Ballet! My Old Desk!
@@rayconnor That is awesome i’ll check it out. I heard 1941 after i saw this and it made me cry
I got really into the Nilsson Schmilsson album in 2021 or 22, and just this past week or so found myself completely enthralled in the rest of Nilsson's stacked catalog. He really is up there with Brian Wilson as far as great American songwriters go. And what a voice he had. This documentary is fantastic and I'm glad it exists. RIP Mr. Nilsson.
Harry was a drinking buddy of mine around about 1990 (plus _and_ minus a couple of years). He was a very decent human being, something that we cannot say about most people these days. Thank you for this documentary. It's much fairer than documentaries usually are.
Harry would show up at the bar of the Westwood Marquis hotel every so often and those of us who would show up every day admitted him into our group because we recognized that he had the same _Weltschmerz_ as us. I don't think we knew who he was when he first sat down but, after we found out, he refused to talk about his music: one direction was to say "no, I didn't make my money from music, I made it from real estate after that" and the other direction was to play us recordings on DAT (long before the CD) that only incidentally included some of his own work. In other words, he wanted us to see what other people were doing with technology more than he wanted us to see what he had been doing artistically.
Harry Nilsson represented what any decent and honorable society should develop and promote. Exactly what nobility aspired to do many centuries ago.
_Radix omnium malorum est cupiditas._
I never met harry but my keyboard player Milton who was blind met him at a gig . Harry would pick Milton up in the limo and take him out partying. Milton would talk about him all the time. Milton has since passed from the virus and I imagine they are hanging out in heaven together in their perfect form.
@@marytaylor2381 YES, and of all said, he was a gift of love who enriched our lives without us being able to make closure. Thanks Harry!
Cannot say that about most PEOPLE THESE days YOU NEED WISE UP AND TRAVEL YOU GENIUS.
I thought I heard he was a Brooklyn boy not far from Neil diamond/Sidaka and Streisand do you know if it’s true
@@tuforu4 learn how to construct
a sentence.
I'm having trouble watching this, because I keep having to pause it and wipe tears and deal with feelings and memories. I'm pretty old, and was peripherally involved in the music scene in SoCal in the 70's. This is brilliant, and I am so very thankful you've posted it. Thank you
I also paused it a few times. Quite a touching personality and story.
Hi, from SoCal 70's girl here.
Totally agree. Couldn’t believe how emotional I felt. Now turning 80 I am overwhelmed by his music once again.
@@TWC43videos thank you for the 70's
If you have anything interesting you'd like to share with us I'm sure a lot of us would love to hear it
The fact that Harry sat down and performed the vocal track on "Without You" in one, uninterrupted first take, is one of the most magical, astounding and infamous incidents in modern pop music.
He did? That sounds almost too good to be true because that vocal take is straight from heaven
One of my moms favorite songs...I get chills,when I hear it💗
The band Badfinger who wrote "Without You" and under the Apple label, was recording in the Beatles studio when Nilsson heard them and took a crack at it.
Grew up in the 70s loving that song. I think those things made me want to play music too. and yeah i never got to their level, but music saved me too. I think that song made me a hopeless romantic
@@lRedPosion @54:13
Did not know much about Harry Nillson except everybody's talking. I am glued to the screen. As a child of the 70's I only knew the name. Man this man is amazing. Found this documentary by accident and am glad i did
I was abandoned by everyone. Literally. Yet I have a fierce will to live, and help others, and make new friends. Im grateful, sad for Mr. Nilsson.
I'm sorry you went through this
I know who he is. He was my childhood. I painted his album covers. I sang with him and tried to reach all his notes. I tried to play his songs on my guitar and antique piano. I loved and love everything he did. When the Beatles were asked who was their favorite band, they said , “Harry Nilsson!” His vocal range and vocal/songwriting humor - I agree with the Beatles.
Legend says everyone saw this random documentary on their CZcams feed but now they’re hooked with Harry Nilson’s music
as they should if they have even a gram of taste...
This has to be one of the best written, produced and edited music documentaries ever made. The fact that it brings light to one the geniuses of modern pop music makes it even better and more poignant. Lovely, just like Harry's music.
Beautiful comment!
It's a LIE. Harry died in the chair of an oral surgeon who had just given him anesthesia. he didnt die at home in his bed. The source is another close friend Marianne Faithfull who was not allowed on this film but stated this tr uth multiple times in print & on video in 1997. when she sang "Dont Forget Me". FACT.
I could not agree with you more. Harry was a minor genius and certainly one of the best songwriters in rock history. I also find his music to be timeless.
@@chuckbarr8643 I'm constantly surprised at how many people don't know who Harry is - but if you hum one of his songs, they go "I LOVE that song!"
I agree entirely. How is it possible that I didn't know him though of course I know his music. A well lived life. Xxx Susan 🙏🏼
Every song he made was different from any other song he made. No song he made sounded like any of the others. He made some of the biggest hits of my childhood. He was pure genius.
Yes he was Phenomenal R.I.P.
Actually, “Cuddly Toy” and “People Let Me Tell You ‘Bout My Best Friend” are similar though. Just listen to them successively.
I can’t agree. The reason why I never was a huge fan of Nilsson is bc each of his songs harmonically sounded like a continuation of the one before. I dk if I hear the similarities which sound like Tin Pan Alley bc I’m a musician, but I had that ability as a 9 year old when I watched the animated TV program, “The Point,” which featured the song, “Me and My Arrow.” I didn’t like it bc the music sounded the same. Even still, Nilsson’s voice is my favorite next to John Lennon’s from that period, and I loved singing along with his harmonies. It’s really horrible how many really great artists were so damaged as children, and there are sooooo many more who never got their voices heard.
@@voraciousreader3341
Interesting point, worth considering.
Many fathers underestimate how important they are to their children--how what might seem small, insignificant interactions with their children mean the world to their children. Not being there for your children can leave life-long scars.
mother's too.
Yes it can 🥲
And all of this BS going on today trying to convince women that they can raise children all by themselves and they don't need those evil toxic men around. WRONG AS WRONG CAN BE children need BOTH parents a Father and Mother. Men and women parent differently children need both.
Oh so true when you are that child experiencing those moments Do not have children unless your serious and committed about it or you will end up producing talented, fucked up, but loveable artists
@@chrisgreene2623 my
I met my father when I was 48/9yrs old. I looked all my life up until the for him. After meet him it was like the weight of the world had been lifted off of my shoulders. I relaxed for the first time because I could see in the mirror who I was. We’re not in touch anymore and I’m so at peace with that, a lot of questions were answered and now when I smile I see both my mum and my dad.
Very cool man, good for you. For some reason your story gives me great peace; thank you for that, very cool.
Oh wow, I can't imagine how you felt when you first saw your Father.
God bless
@@robertkaplan7001 thank you
I grew up loving Harry's most popular songs, but knew nothing of this man's life and legacy. For good-or for bad- he *lived* life. There are many things to be learned from this man's story. Thanks, Harry...
I discovered Harry Nilsson while I was in grade school. I fell in love with his music when he came out with the cartoon, "The Point". After that, I followed his music throughout my life. Thank You, Harry for being there for me while I grew up. You help shape my love of music.
I still know all the words to Harry's music, and still to this day, I cry.
His musical abilities were off the chart and the background music of my younger self.
Indeed.
Yep.cannot have dry eyes when I listen to ,living is without you.
I 😭.
@@gordontonkin7958 there's plenty of room for you here, there's a whole mess of us who can't
"The Trouble with Harry" is that he left us too soon. What a fantastic talent. Nilsson's rendition of "Without You" makes me melt to this very day. Best performance ever!
I agree Ben.
Good to see you.
Seen that old sod Phil McKrevice around lately.
I'd seen him at Tarrytown I thought last fall.
Boy,ain't he a pistol?
Only 53 when he died? Gives me pangs of sadness. Great songs, great voice.
He had no parents, one left the other was buried under stress and addiction
And in the midst of all that, a miracle unfolds... Wow. Those are conditions of childhood that actually
Overwhelm kids. So his voice and visibility to me is a miracle.
@@dvestal7583 he ran off with my (now ex wife) Eileen back in '69.
@@bendover3838 Harry's song "Your breaking my heart you've torn it apart so fuk you" came to my mind immediately, sry m8 🙄
I'm pretty sure Without you wasn't his song he made it into the classic as we know it, a handful of other artists did it but not within a mile of our Harry.
I grew up with Nilsson's songs and I loved them all. He was magic
If you want a studio album to understand the immense talent of Harry Nilsson, it's "Nilsson Schmilsson". Hands down. Mastery of multiple genres and as fine of an LP as anything ever produced.
"Son of Schmilsson" had a couple of my favorites.
This documentary really brings out the awesome range and quality of his voice. The tone, texture, and range of his voice is truly awesome!
I also had that album..but knew nothing of the person!
@@garryrc I didn't know it as well but loved Spaceman.
Cy Bolton , reading down the comments, I was also looking for mention of Nilsson Smielsom , as being 72 of age and graduation from Indio high in 1969 . The perfect time in life to experience all the greatest music makers that became way too many to keep track of. I've always wondered what it would sound like if he sang and wrote a few with the Byrds ..
I woke this morning with a Harry Hilsson song in my head and went to my computer to hear more. Found this documentary and cried, and laughed with an artist who so dearly touched my young life as he did for so many more. A true angel visited to us on earth. I had many of his albums, loved them all.
Harry Nillson was an absolute genius musician and song writer. His lyrics are so incredibly clever, and the range of his voice was mind blowing.
Nillson Schmillson is still one of my favorite albums to this day, with NO bad tracks.
I couldn't agree more. I bought it when I was a teenager and wore it out.
Then you should know it's Nilsson. Single L, double S. And Schmilsson. Same thing. But, yes. It is a great album.
You are dead on hit that nail dead center.
I'm right there with you. "The Point" is another favorite. The movie & sound track is fantastic,
czcams.com/video/V6Qnd5vnpN0/video.html
Loving Harry forever 💖
I remember waking up one morning in 1970 to CJOM in Ontario (across the river) playing the verse: "You're breaking my heart, You're tearing it apart, So Fuck You." I was immediately awake & turned the radio up to make sure I heard it right. It was HN. Son of Schmilsson LP
My teenage years were in the late sixties, early seventies, and Nilsson was buried deep within the background noise of my own trials and tribulations. I had no idea he'd performed half the songs I heard on the radio, or that he was tearing thru the clubs with the likes of John Lennon and half of everybody having anything to do with music, or that just like me, he was dealing with being abandoned by his father. Discovering this documentary for the first time at the ripe old age of 66 has helped me with my own sense of mortality (I've had this feeling I'll never see 70, and the Russians and Chinese seem hellbent on fulfilling that prophecy). My barely lit singing career never got past the Karaoke stage, but I am back into vinyl, steaming everything I missed growing up (and that seems to be so much!), and am so thankful that this world was gifted with people like Harry. I wonder, did anybody ELSE hear the obvious influence on Billy Joel and others?
Hey Alex
Nice one mate.
You should write a song or poem about this entire thing!
@@agenttimetraveler9960 Well, thanks, Agent! I had no idea I'd waxed THAT poetically, maybe one day I will....LOL!
If you write the words out into a story, easy enough for kids to read, I'd paint the pictures. That's what I see when I listen to old Harry. A little bit reminds me of a guy like Agent Margarettaville and Field McConnell
Harry abandoned his own son! Just dumped him. Dumped his wife. Harry wasn't a nice man. Sometimes you can't make excuses for why a person is nasty. However, Harry really did abandon and dump his own son, and did not care.
I just learned that Zak died from colon cancer in March last year at 52 years old. What an absolute tragedy. I wish the remaining Nillson children long and happy lives.
I'm 75.
I recognized every song, knew every word but never recognized ANY PHOTO OF HIM. WHY NOT?
I heard his songs everywhere over those years as I worked 3 jobs and raised 2 children alone.
There wasn't time to watch tv but the radios were in my car, kitchen,
everywhere.
Nilson was not promoted correctly.
Big Harry fan here, strange to me that I've never once met someone of my generation (I'm 50) who's even heard of him. I sing songs from The Point to myself regularly. The Point is such a dear little piece.
“He’s got a point there!”
I named my dog arrow (I’m 40)…but my fav HN song which he actually sang is “Many Rivers to Cross”. I tear up EVERY time🥺🥰
You've never met me (I'm 51)
Me too. Love him so much-And Randy Newman
I'm 50 and I've definitely heard of Harry.
How many times do I find myself singing a Harry Nilsson song.
My favorite has always been the sweet, melodic and tender Moonbeam. Can't help but gently sway to the beautiful music and his voice that always touched the heart. His songs always bring a tear to my eye.
Harry Nilsson could feel everything he looked at through his voice, music and poetry....even a moonbeam.
I grew up listening to his music. Grew up in NY… am 64 and his songs were always being played in our house (seven of us kids - drove mom & dad crazy). My kids know the music today. Classics
Man this is such a fantastically produced music documentary! Is Harry the man or what! I was like 11 when everybody's talkin was happening and I remember being impressed by his voice, but it was when I had the great pleasure of catching the television premier of "The Point" that I became enthralled! Had to know everything about him after that! The more I learned, the more blown away I became! What a fucking incredible talent!! His loss has left the world of music with a void unfulfillable by anyone! Thank you Harry for giving me the opportunity of falling in love with you and your music RIP
Got here by accident and I'm overwhelmed. What a wonderful documentary about a very special artist!
Always the best way to arrive somewhere
Me too..
Yet one more performer that I don't understand why EVERYBODY doesn't know.
RIP Harry, you left us too soon.
I was blessed to run across this documentary about Harry. It was with great sadness and joy that I listened and watched to its end. It brought back so many found memories of my life, now 74 years. Harry's " Land of Point," album brought back so many found memories of my daughter Jennifer and I driving across the west singing along to it. Harry's "Can't Live," and many other of his greats were so meaningful, and indeed, a blessing to us who experienced the era spanning his career. While it was painful to see the drugs and alcohol ravage his heart and voice, it will never take away his greatness and major contributions to music in America, England and all over the world. His love for family and his memories he created will live on for generations. I have been inspired to go buy a LP playing stereo and play my long kept "Land of Point" Album. So many of "Can't Live," without playing his music and listening to his wonderful voice. Thank You Harry Nillson!
What an excellent documentary about Harry Nilsson. What a talent, what a voice. I would sing his songs without really knowing the man, the artist and his life behind the music.
sounds like a screeching cat here czcams.com/video/_kkShgiFa00/video.html
Lime & the Coconut. Sang this as a child but had no idea
@@armandcouture4655 For some reason this song popped into my head the other day and a few days later the video appeared in yr! I certainly knew of Harry but didn't know that was him...after 50 yrs! It's still a cool song!
@@armandcouture4655 always thought it was Harry...Belefonte!
I was a teenager in the late sixties when introduced to Nilsson and loved him. In 1985 my son was born and 'The Point' then became a constant and I was forever hooked on the artist. We always seem to lose a greater amount of the best than that of the worst. I love Harry ...
This is one of the best musician biographies I've ever seen.
Had no idea he wrote "One." I had the Three Dog Night Album from the early 70s as a young teen, this was one of my favorites!
I have been a fan of Harry Nilsson for fifty years. He was a brilliant, creative whose irreverent words, beautiful music, and soaring voice have been in my ears and my heart for half a century.
If more people listened to Harry... I believe we’d all be better off.
I don't think the word you were looking for was irreverent.
When we were kids,we used to play "Your breaking my heart" of his SON OF SHIMILSON ALBUM for all our friends!He had a great sense of humor as well as talent.
What a great Documentary. There are very few true "originals" and Harry Nilsson was definitely one of them.
One of the most tragic yet beautiful stories I've heard about a prolific artist. I never knew his name but his songs definitely echo from my childhood.
The man who wrote every song you've ever heard. I discovered him a few years ago and was blown away at how well i knew his songs. Weren't you?
Heard them all my life, and love every single one. But sadly I didn't know the artist. That makes me sad.
My late-husband and I adored the animated movie *The Point* We named our first German Shepherd Arrow, what a wonderful dog he was. Great husband too, I miss them both so much.
Harry has been gone now since January 15, 1994.
I hope he has found his peace. ❤️
Oblio
We have a Boxer named Arrow for the same reason.
@@pacefainter 🐕❤️
Great story about The Point and Arrow. The earthquake that happened January 17,1994 my youngest son was born 3 days later, the earthquake in San Francisco October 17,1989 my oldest son was born 6 days later. Anyway, I still have some of Harry’s albums. He was one of the greatest singer/songwriters ever. Right up there with Brian Wilson.
My Arrow was Nero. A magnificent boy and my great love.
Thanks to everyone who had a hand in bringing Harry to life for a new generation of music lovers. He was perfect for his time, and musicolgists will be exaniming his work long into the future. A true original talent. Having grown up in the 50's, 60's, and 70's, I have always believed we got the best of it! Cheers Harry, !
There was something about the new freedom afforded to children born between 1940-1960. Not that life wasn't hard. There was still poverty, alcoholism, abuse, etc. But for the first generation of Americans, they felt their destinies were in their own hands and not predetermined. You can still write your own story today, of course, but we've become a harsher, less forgiving society. People are being pushed into conformity again and it's reflected in the music and art that are created.
@@deedledumb790 Yes well said. Should add we were conned in middle class as it turned out. My step dad was forced into retirement or take a pay cut. As a Teamster who drove a Mack cement mixer 3 years and poured foundations and cement floors in Buffalo NY winters he had a few luxuries. Damm well earned
Last generation that made out ok by busting ur balls. Never again will we have this. How much do politicians make. Let's go political system!!!!! '
@@deedledumb790 Good post.
If you knew about Harry's influencers, I can tell you it was the fun songs of the teens and 1920s, his grandparents' songs. Boomers all grew up with them and loved them until our own sound came along. "Cuddly Toy" is very typical of the teens, straw hat and all.
You got that right. 🥳 Wasn't he also a member of a late night drinking club whose other members names I can't think of. They're probably irrelevant ☮️☮️🎸🎸🎸🥳🥳🏴☠️🏴☠️🤣🤣🤣
"Without You" was never sung so beautifully. But the tragic story of the songwriters needs to be a documentary in itself.
🎯
I'm glad he popularized Fred Neil's song, Everybody's Talkin'. Few people realize Fred wrote this song, and recorded it, because Harry knew how to make it his own. He was a great talent, and is much missed.
Best tribute I could imagine, and I couldn't ... Just tremendous. He was a gift, he shared his so well.
The best tribute is playing his music. czcams.com/video/G-ZDKirjQgM/video.html
Great Tribute indeed - Very sad he did not take better care of himself😞
He was also known as Nilsson Schmilsson, one of the best singer-songwriters that ever was, rest in peace brother
Jump into the fire that drum roll
I knew Harry and got to spend time with him in the mid-80s in NY. Until watching this documentary I had little clue he was and will always be the superstar talent he became. The times we spent together I will never forget. Harry did it his way and I was fortunate to have shared in his life, even for a short time. R.I.P. Schmils and thank you.
Beautiful
@@donaldharrill6265 love
I grew up in the 80's, and I had so many Nilsson record's, tape's and recordings on 8track that my uncle has givin us kids, his nephews, we were in heaven.
I’m glad to discovered this document today. And now I’m going to discover his songs , one by one. I wised that Spotify wouldn’t keep Al the money to themselves I think that the real records brought in better money for him and his family Hopefully they own the rights
This has to be one of the best documentaries of a musician I have ever seen. Harry was a fantastic artist.
Harry and I share the same Aunt. My father's brother married his brother's sister. My father and mother even babysat for baby Harry once. He was and still is such an amazing gift to this world. In more ways than one. I love you Harry. 🧡
Meant my father's brother married his father's sister. Lol.
@@diane7912 how is Harry's widow doing. Did she marry again. I don't think she would have as Harry was love of her life.
@@diane7912Whew!!!
@@deliawright8626 I know. Confusing. Sorry. I don't text well. I 🤣
I wonder if Harry ever realised the effect his wonderful music & incredible talent had on ordinary everyday people . He was an enormous part of my youth, his music was played more than any other, (my father owned a record shop in Peckham London 1968-74). I was raised on Harry, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, we had access to every album or 45rpm available even my grandfathers collection of jazz 78s. What musical treasure, I was a very lucky kid as music was all I cared about. My mother sent a letter to my father, working in Germany in the early 60s, telling of my first steps, I got up & toddled to the TV when the Beatles come on “Ready Steady Go” (BBC I think) my first steps were motivated by music. I’ve lived and breathed music my entire life, Harry Nilsson inspired me, educated me, he made me laugh, dance and cry, I still miss him. He was a part of my family, his records played at every party, (my parents had lots of party’s, they knew how to have a good time back then). Harry Nilsson gone but never forgotten. Especially with that wonderful catalogue of music he left behind for us to enjoy forever.
Never heard much of his music ,can u recommend anything to listen to? That'd make me a fan? Beatles are my favorite guys ever.john is in my heart also George,fan 55yrs. Cool parents luv tales of happy memories. Luv to go back n say I saw them on Sullivan. Lennon hung w Harry n helped him promote last album harry made. Luv is all u need.pleasure is mine.Diane.,...... music def was my life, I ran home to put Dylan on n hear the truth they didn't teach me in school. 💃🌛
@@dianepriore3440 It depends on your preference in genre's. If you find his voice enchanting then A Little Touch of Schmilsson are songs from his childhood and have a crooner vibe to them. The songs on this LP show his range and display how the human voice can act like an instrument( Kinda Ronstadt's voice is like that too), in this case a velvety smooth one. His most commercially successful LPs we're Nilsson Schmilsson and Son of Schmilsson. Aside from the singles Everybody's Talkin and Me And My Arrow the two aforementioned LPs have the songs that were played most often on the radio. The second one, SOS, shows his more irreverent side. Of all the LPs that I revisit in my collection I play these two every weekend. For me, there that good.
I am 64 yrs old and am amazed that i have no memory of this man and his talents. I knew the songs just not the singer. Good video about him and the talent and the sadness in his life from childhood. Simply amazing. Another commenter said to look up the Harry version of the song somewhere over the rainbow, it is astounding talent in that mind and voice.
First heard the poetry in these lyrics back in 68 & never forgot them: “I'm going where the sun keeps shining through the pouring rain , Going where the weather suits my clothes. Banking off of the North East wind , sailing on a summer breeze & skipping over the ocean like a stone” Often sing them to myself on a miserable U.K. winter day …like today with the added downer of Covid travel restrictions!! ( Everyone Keeps Talking At Me 1968)
Hello to the U.K.
he didn't write it though
Miss this man and his talents. Shame talent comes out of pain and creative people end up destroying themself because they don't know what else to do. TY Harry ❤
I've coincidentally listened to a few documentaries in a short amount of time, and have become depressed. Moral: stop after one documentary.
The candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long. Harry Nilsson was the brightest light amongst so many of his era.
When you live a life like Harry, you ain't never going to reach the age of 80, but is that such a bad thing? Without you, is one of my all-time favourite songs, and fifty years on, listening to Harry's beautiful voice still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Thanks very much for uploading, much appreciated.
65 now and his album Nilsson Schmilsson made a huge impact on my life. A fun week-long road trip in a motor home when I was first introduced to his intriguing poetry, and remember it was the first time hearing swear words on an album as a kid. Thought it was pretty cool I was allowed to listen..lol. Have loved his music ever since...
When a new song came on the radio, often you knew right away who the artist was. You couldn't tell right away which songs were Harry Nilsson's. It surprised me to find that the artists behind The Courtship of Eddies Father, Everybody's Talkin' at Me, Lime in the Coconut, and Jump Into the Fire are the same man. Such a range of creativity.
What amazing songs and voice. Kathy
Ever since I was a child I loved the sound track to "The Point" which is a Cartoon Movie about a young boy that grew up in a world where everyone had a pointed head until the boy was born with a round head. The song "Me and my Arrow" stuck to me like glue. I would sing what little I could remember of the song over and over so I wouldn't forget it. Of course there wasn't any way of watching the movie more than the two times I caught it on TV in a year. I discovered and loved so many of his songs yet I really didn't know who he was. Just an amazing voice and writer! As I slowly learned more about him it was like unwrapping a new present each time I discovered that "Wow you mean he did THAT TOO?!" "One" The Theme for Midnight Cowboy - "Everybody's Talkin' (Echoes)" Now I can watch the movie any time I want as I own it. Along with Nilsson's whole catalog.
LOL Me too. Man did we have a culture.
"Me and my Arrow" is an amazing tune that is special to me too. To me it is a song about loneliness.
So fortunate discovered his music right away, kept telling people about his voice, his songs, bought every album, such a great talent.
Don’t see many Hadden’s around you tube. My moms dad Arthur was my favorite Hadden after my mother
An amazing individual. Clearly he was very intelligent and observant, with a wonderful voice, a gift for poetry and perfect pitch. His "musicality" was off the charts - rhythm, melody, timbre. He had an innocence and curiosity and obvious open-mindedness.
Sadly broken and hurt inside...he relived his childhood pain a second time as an adult. Alcohol of course made it worse - a cycle of shame and the self destruction. With his wife and family he found some stability at last.
which wife and kid? The second one? Or the first ones he left hanging?
pity his voice ended up like this at 50 czcams.com/video/_kkShgiFa00/video.html
His version of Without You is a masterpiece and one of the best vocal performances of all time.
I couldn't agree more! I think his version is superior to the one by Badfinger, although I love that band too.
Totally agree.
And Mariah Carey version should be expunged from history.
Fully agree - but if you listen to the original it's missing a lot of the magic ingredients that Harry's vocal and his arranger brought to the song that made it one of the best singles of the 20th Century.
Harry had the good fortune to work with a lot of great arrangers - George Tipton's name appears on most of my favouuite Nilsson albums - and of course Gordon Jenkins arrangements for the Schmillson sets were lush orchestral poetry which took Harry's performance to the moon and back.
@@alanmusicman3385 Its interesting there seems to be this purist view that the original is always the best.It is not always the case ,I often think of Roberta Flacks version of "The First Time ever I saw your Face" was vastly different and superior in my humble opinion to Peggy Seeger original version ,written by her husband
What a great Document/Bio.
Even tho Harry died young, it seems like he lived an extremely full life. And what a beautiful family.
His version of "Makin' Whoopie" has been one of my favorite things for a very long time. It has that sardonic edge -- he just kills it.
Nilsson was fantastic. As a guy he grew up in the 60s & 70s, I liked everything the man recorded. Versatility. He was so unique. His music is still relevant and timeless, like other story tellers who reach out to depths of the human heart----you can relate.
As a songwriter for over 50 years and still doing it I appreciate Harry more than ever watching this fantastic documentary on him! I was surprised they left Badfinger's TOM EVANS and PETE HAM out here though as they wrote WITHOUT YOU and it would have been nice to hear how he decided to do the song. As I remember they had no idea he recorded it until it was out I think! I love their version just as much as his! I received a letter from him and still have it as I sent him my lyrics to a song I wrote following LENNON'S death and his reply was genuine and mainly he appreciated what I wrote but he could not deal with all the lyrics about it that he received. RIP HN!
Peter Ham died in 1975 & Tom Evans in 1983, that´s
probably why there was no interviews with them regarding that.
@@kennethsandstrom6224 They both committed suicide by hanging themselves! If you read my comment I was talking about who made the video not mentioning them I thought was just not right is all!
I recall the anecdote; Evans and Ham happened to come to the studio so Harry gave them glasses of champagne and played Without You to them. Must have been quite a scene.
@@JohnNiemsMusic Sorry, I only read the first part of your comment. Forgot to click "Read more".
I hope this will give a moment to how his Mother made out in life.....
Harry the sixth Beatle, perhaps? Billy Preston, the seventh. The talent was baked in to Harry’s bones. He saw and found music everywhere and In everyday life. He was a gift to all of our ears. In Earth’s billions of years lifespan, I feel very fortunate to be here in the same window of time as all the wonderful music that came out of the last 70 years or so - and prior. There’ll never be another time like it.
'Harry's too good for the beatles' ~ john lennon
The talent actively surrounding the talent is off the charts! Jimmy Webb. Van Dyke Parks. John Lennon. Randy Newman. My gosh, what a pantheon of greatness!
Harry Nilsson needs to be in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
The ultimate insult, was his muzak that poor?
Jerome Taperman the HOF is a pathetic joke!!!!!!!
The real rockers don't want that shit sry Jerome
@@martydavies7198 - Beats the crap out of hip hop.
Nilsson needs a posthumous award to prove his brilliance as much a Kubrick needs a posthumous Oscar. You know: not at all. 🐧
This is really special. I could not take my eyes off the whole movie. He was so talented. Miss him.
Surprised me
I'm having a adventure just learning about someone i never gave a thought about but never realised how much of a impact he had on my life. I relate to his childhood as mine was similar. His music is inspirational a bleesing to listen to. Your never to old to learn. Harry Nilsson i wish i had met you as you may have changed the direction in my life.
I was watching the TV show House and they played Lime in the Coconut and then I found this doc. Holy crap !!
I did not realize how many songs I knew the words to that he wrote ! Amazing
My dad was friends with Harry. I met him when he came to my house back in the early 90's. A true gentlemen.
Awesome m8 👍
That says nothing.
I think its cool as hell your Dad knew him. How many can say they met Harry Nilson.
Thank you for making this. Schmillson was such a huge part of my childhood. It was one of the first records I had where I would sit my friends down and said... "listen to this"...
My favorite is “Without You” which came out when I was 7 years old. Gives me chills.
I love this documentary. Made me dig deeper into Nilsson's albums than the handful of hits I already knew. Thanks for putting this up.
Wow!!! This man was a truly free spirit!!
He’s flying still!!
The cleaver Lyricist!!! With sweet voice!
Thanks for your music/ good sir!!!
❤️❤️❤️
Nilsson has always been an" enigma wrapped in a riddle " for me. Blessed with overflowing gifts to share with the world. I agree. gone way too soon and so many gone. Thank you so much for the undeniable insight. Invaluable
A slightly longer version of this documentary, when it still hadn't found a distributor, screened at the York Theater in San Francisco. A deleted story about Nilsson's pre-fame years involved him being shown a multi-track recording system. He was amazing to learn he could record something, have the tape rewound, and then lay down another vocal track. He asked to try it out, then asked how many times he could lay down vocal tracks. I believe the interviewee - Perry Botkin, Jr, if memory serves - said it was an eight track board. So, the answer was eight times. Without having rehearsed and almost effortlessly, Nilsson laid down one accompanying vocal track after another. No problem, just like that. 😮 !
Harry Nilsson has always been one of those artists that has been there in the background of life. I never knew much about him and only ever knew those two or three of his most famous songs. I felt I at least owed it to myself and his artistry to watch this documentary. I'm now so glad I did. He was definitely a unique soul that did things his way and always stayed true to himself and his own feelings. RIP Harry.
It`s nice he found genuine happiness with a his wife and lots of children. They all look like a happy bunch. Sorry to hear of his oldest son Zak`s early death from colon cancer.
It got my attention the title of this video, and yes Harry Nilsson has not been very well known, especially by people born since the '90s, but I am sure that for the ones that lived as teenagers in the late sixties and seventy, like myself, he was if not the best, one of the most admired singers of the time. As a matter of fact his version of "without you" has been all of these years my favorite song. It always gets me emotional whenever I hear it, and I always go back to it, whenever I have the need. And what to say about "Everybody is talking", part of one of the finest movies of all time that iI knew about, precisely because of its soundtrack back at the time in Bogotà.
I have to add to this comment, that back in 1972 when "Without You" came out, my English was very basic, and all the emotions that I felt were only because of Harry`s interpretation. Of course, my admiration increased when I was able to understand the lyrics.
czcams.com/video/ay5eug0XfIU/video.html I am 22, this is where I first heard him and I only searched for the song when I was 16 but it had always stayed with me, and I have watched the show this clip is from a million times as has the majority of the U.K
Rubbish. I'm pissed of millennials saying some artist is forgotten, well he ain't in this century & last century for us old 'uns. His music is played & known for millions of people over 25yrs or so. It's up to you to discover him & join the rest of the 20th Century people who play his music with no fuss forgotten crap.
@@seltaeb3302 My mum used to say to me "you'll understand when you're older". She was right. We all have a narrow view of life when we're young but we think that our perspective is the only valid one 🙂
@@seltaeb3302 What an extremely weird interpretation of this man's comment. Stop being a crotchety old man.
One of the most brutally honest and best documentaries about musicians ever. We miss you Harry.
I also am 72, and in these dark times, CZcams has provided safe harbor and an incredible tool for exploring and connecting all the dots. This one was particularly haunting. Thanks for doing this.
I'm 72 now but everyone in my rooming house in Boston back in 1968, most of us poor young musicians, had very few albums in possession... but we had Harry Nilsson's first album and we were all fans. We would sit around in the communal living room listening to it, amazed, playing along. He was in that same strata among CSNY, Joni Mitchell, Dylan, the Band, I'm talking top tier people... but different... instructional. Yes. His premature death was a tragedy for all of us but his music will never be forgotten... truly magical.
I had no idea that actually he'd had such a fantastic life- truly, truly blessed to find the love of his life, his beautiful children & all those wonderful friends!
If only he'd taken better care of himself...
He created chaos along with the beautiful music. He drank, stayed out all night. His first marriage fell apart, you can't be absent then show up drunk and keep things together. But, he didn't have a father to show him the way.
I've been a Harry Nilsson fan since 1972. I can't describe the parallels in my own life without tears streaming down my face. I watched The Point with my dad in 1972 on the ABC movie of the week when Dustin Hoffman narrated and didn't understand the totality of the message. After my sister related the pain of losing a child20 years later, I was totally changed, and after losing my own child through family law court, I never saw The Point the same way again. I can't hear "Think about your troubles" without breaking down now.
My mother knew Una Nilsson in Los Angeles, and conveyed her frustrations to me. Harry's life is a gem despite the manic depression he exhibited.
Now that's a story I'd be gripped by.There's a strongly held culture of 'don't speak ill of the dead .The descendants, the business is mainly interested in a certain up-beat tone with many details brushed over.I can take life without the spin.Just the idea of Una and your mother having totally frank talks about stuff somehow makes me feel good.
Oh no,I am sorry you had to endure this in your life.
I'm 50 African American with a wide range of music 🎶 favorites from Motown to Country, RocknRoll Beatle's Lynyrd Skynyrd Didn't know his (Harry)songs that I found myself loving to sing, was the creation of this genius Harry Nilsson.RIP MR. HARRY NILSSON
What a gift to his family to get some final moments of heart to heart. Legend!
I am 85..I found Harry N during the 60's along with Fred Neil and Tim Hardin..When I have trouble sleeping I listen to his work on a digitized player w/ ear buds : his wonderful vocal instrument will lull me to a comforting sleep...a magic personal relationship ..I thank him every time.
"Without You" brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. The beauty of his voice. I hope all young fathers that saw this now realize how important they are to their children - especially to sons. The ignored child may not even know why he's so tortured once he is a young adult. It usually manifests itself in drugs and alcohol.
Everybody's talking still gives me chills, haunting sound and voice.
My "Chemo" Song.
😂 my Hangover Song!! Never knew who he was...Boy an the more I think about it the more I realize that time an Era will never happen again American Optimism was at its Height They really should give thanks for bein born in such a time.
i’m not shure if i’m in a special sentimental mood
but this must be the best docu
i’ve ever seen😭
I CANNOT thank you enough for this gem! I have been waiting to see uploaded online forever and a month of Sundays.
I've always enjoyed Harry Nilsson and his music especially when I first heard him sing the opening title of "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" on tv. I began to track his music whenever I would go to Tower Records and see what albums I could find of him. Great documentary and interesting to see who he was connected to. Loved his voice. I just noticed his eldest son passed away earlier last year from Colon cancer. Zak Nine Nilsson, died of colon cancer on March 4, 2021. Rest in peace - I hope he and Harry are together talkin' man to man or son to son...
Thanks for putting that out here. I hadn't heard about Zak's demise.😧💙😟
Oh ooo sad the son was featured several times in the film. I had an aunt who suffered from colon cancer and passed in about a year. Poor Zakk. His father was so famous and colorful and self destructive.
I remember when Nilsson Smilsson came out. It was a different time. When record shops were wonderlands of great music and art posters.
Yes! I really miss the magic of music in those days. Downloading is all very convenient, but we've lost something with that evolution.
You can never replace the small town record and poster shops. I really miss those days.
Truth Indeed AMEN
I'd never heard of this talented man but I definitely recognised his voice and his story was enthralling from beginning to end. He had such an impact on so many lives.
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An absolutely incredible vocal instrument.
It is a shame his personal demons won out over a follow up album to Schmilson.