Posted on 01/10/2026 4:11:23 PM PST by nickcarraway
Harry Nilsson was making millions at the height of his career, but he was sadly penniless when he died at just 52 years old.
The singer-songwriter signed a record deal worth $5 million at the height of his career, but the money was gone by the time he died.
Harry Nilsson was making millions at the height of his career, but he was sadly penniless when he died at just 52 years old.
The singer-songwriter found fame in the 1970s with his album Nilsson Schmilsson and at the height of his career, he signed a record deal worth $5 million. At that point, it was the biggest record deal in history.
Harry also found himself with some very famous fans, with The Beatles admitting he was their favorite American artist. He went on to form close friendships with John Lennon and Ringo Starr.
Despite Harry's success, his career took a turn for the worse when he left RCA Records in 1977, with his album output diminishing.
He also took a hiatus from music following John Lennon's murder in 1980 and spent his time campaigning for gun control.
It wasn't just Harry's break from making music that left him struggling. In 1990, he found himself in a tough financial situation after it was discovered his former manager Cindy Sims had embezzled all the funds he had earned as a recording artist.
Harry was left with just $300 in the bank. Sims was later jailed for less than two years after swindling millions from multiple clients. She wasn't required to pay any restitution.
Harry, who had been born with heart issues, sadly died of heart failure on January 15, 1994, when he was 52 years old. When he died, it had been 14 years since he had made an album.
At the time of his death, the musician had debts which totaled around $1 million. His estate was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following his death.
Harry's funeral took place two days after he died in Westlake Village, California. Journalist Dawn Eden later recalled the occasion, writing, "The funeral was beautiful."
In attendance at the funeral were George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Jimmy Webb and Henry Gibson. Dawn said, "I was impressed to see such famous people acting completely human. They were obviously there because they really loved Harry Nilsson."
The funeral went smoothly until Beatles icon George caused a stir by calling out, "F--k you." Luckily, people overlooked the outburst and it was followed by a sing-along.
Record producer Mark Hudson recalled George's outburst, saying, "So, we are all sad and sullen and standing around the grave and George goes, 'F--k You.' And we are all shocked, and we thought he was having some kind of angst. And then he says, 'That was always my favourite song: You’re Breaking My Heart, Tearing it Apart, Well F--k you,' so then we all joined in and sang it."
Everybody was talkin’ to him about his finances
He didn’t hear a word they’re sayin’
Drugs will get you every time.
Should have put the lime in the coconut.
Before he drank it all up.
I really liked some of Harry Nillson’s stuff. He wrote the song “One” (is the loneliest number) later made into a big hit by 3 Dog Night. I heard he blew out a vocal chord in an all night session with John Lennon in LA while they were doing lots of LSD and other drugs. I don’t know it that’s just a rumor though.
Read his Bio, The guy was a trip but very talented. Sad how his end.
Wrote and sang the theme to “The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father”, “My Best Friend”.
He was all over the place in the early 70s.
gonna be a lot of scumbag managers in hell- they want their cake now- at the expense of others- but in the end they are the losers because theirs is an eternity of hell unless they repented at soem point- eternity is forever- now is just temporary- the fool doesn’t think about eternity-
bkmk
Harry Nilsson - jump into the fire
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWlXIR1oCPw
Well, Rock Musicians take their pension in loneliness and alcohol.
were they paid by the word?
Bit of trivia:
Both Mama Cass and Keith Moon died in Nilsson’s London apartment.
“Alcohol and pills, it’s a cryin’ shame
You think they might have been happy with the glory and the fame
But fame doesn’t take away the pain, it just pays the bills
And you wind up on alcohol and pills”
Fred Eaglesmith, “Alcohol and Pills”
Wow
A great tune I think. Shout out to Joanne Cooper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyCkQSHa-5w&list=RDSyCkQSHa-5w&start_radio=1
Nilsson’s break up song worthy of a Sam Kinison reprise. Sam would make it angrier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiLKTKd5pgs
NSFW
Knowing what penniless is, I always wonder what living penniless means when they are talking about the ex super rich.
Harry Nilsson - jump into the fire
Watch out for that Helicopter, Henry!
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