A visual checklist for those collecting Harry Nilsson vinyl
Some terrific shots taken in a New York hotel of Harry & Friends (click to enlarge).
Front Row L → R: Billie Jean King, Elton John, Martina Navratilova
Back Row L → R: Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Deano Martin (son of Dean) and Harry. The little tike in the background is believed to be one of McCartney’s daughters.
Many thanks for the submission from a fellow Nilsson fan and to Bob Borgen for his help in ensuring everyone was correctly identified.
Whilst my primary focus will always be on the vinyl side of Nilsson, I also keep my eyes open for interesting promotional items such as this little gem. A book of matches promoting Harry’s A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night
Anyone devoted to Harry knows Harry was devoted to Laurel & Hardy so it’s no surprise to find him paying homage to their classic thumb lighter gag from ‘Way Out West’ on the cover of Schmilsson In The Night. One assumes the promotional department at RCA ran with the concept when deciding to have these matchbooks manufactured by the Universal Match Company of Cincinnati.
Another fun piece added to the collection.
I recently reached out to Eric Idle to ask if he might be willing to share some memories of Harry. To my great surprise and delight, he was. Eric kindly sent me the piece below and has allowed us to republish here. Thanks Eric!
I met Harry when Monty Python played City Center in New York ( Monty Python Live! April 14th to May 2nd 1976)
Harry and Ed Begley came to the show and I went out for a drink with them to a bar on Sixth Avenue round from the Hotel Navarro where we were staying on Central Park South. I liked a drink in those days but Harry was a professional. There was a lot of merriment but Harry could always say something sharp and I remember Continue Reading
A while back I stumbled across a rather unique (and rare) Harry Nilsson poster. The only clue to its creation was the name ‘BYRD’ which appears at the bottom. Could this be David Edward Byrd? As it turns out it could and was.
Byrd was the exclusive poster & program designer for the Fillmore East and in 1969 had created the commemorative poster for the Woodstock Festival. Who better to capture the essence of Harry in poster form? I recently reached out to Mr. Byrd and asked him about the work.
The Nilsson Art of which you queried was indeed created in 1971. It was created for Boris Pachowsky at Stereo Review Magazine when they did an interview and article on Harry, who at the time was at the beginning of his game, when the future seemed limitless, the dope was cheap and everyone was kool. It was also used as a RCA Promo poster for the album “NILSSON SCHMILSSON” as I recall.
Harry was one of my favorite artists at the time and I wish I had met him for drinks, but no luck there. I still listen to “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night” which is a favorite.
Stereo Review Magazine – September 1971
My thanks to David for taking the time to share his memories of the piece, its creation and his fondness for Harry. If you’re not familiar with Mr. Byrd’s work jump on over to his website now.