NIGEL OLSSON

'Nigel Olsson' (born February 10, 1949 in Wallasey, Merseyside, England) is a rock drummer best known for his work with Elton John. His first album appearance was in the band Plastic Penny, which released the album "Two Sides of a Penny" on Page One Records in 1968. Nigel sang on only one song on that album -- "I Want You." Subsequently, he played drums and sang backing vocals on John's early 1970s albums, teaming with guitarist Davey Johnstone, bassist Dee Murray, and percussionist Ray Cooper to form what most rock fans regard as Elton John's classic backing band .
In 1971, Olsson produced and released the solo album "Nigel Olsson's Drum Orchestra and Chorus" on Universal, featuring Murray and early 70's Elton John guitarist Caleb Quaye. By 1975, Elton John retooled his sound, and Olsson, along with Murray, was released from the band. His second solo album, "Nigel Olsson," appeared that year on John's Rocket Record label and featured a mild hit -- a cover of the Bee Gee's "Only One Woman." That song also featured the combination of Johnstone, Murray and Cooper. The album, produced by Robert Appere, contained few rock numbers and was mostly a bow to the emerging "Philly" sound of the mid-1970s.
He contined working as a studio musician, releasing another self-titled album that was produced by Paul Davis on Columbia in 1978. Although that album brought no Top 40 recognition, in 1979, he released the album "Nigel" and enjoyed some mild success as a solo artist, scoring a US top 100 hit in with the single, "Dancin' Shoes".
In 1980, he released the album "Changing Tides" on CBS's Bang Records, but that album failed to achieve chart success. That same year, Olsson returned to Elton's band to begin a four-year tenure. Later, in 1991, Olsson reunited with former bandmade Davey Johnstone to form the Warpipes, though this group disbanded shortly after cutting its debut album. Olsson then spent the next few years relaxing in California with his wife Schanda, son Justin, and racing vintage cars for fun. Olsson returned to Elton John's band for good in 2000 as part of his touring band, alternating between drums and backing vocals on certain songs. (The songs Olsson didn't play drums on, typically the newer songs, were handled by Curt Bisquera.) Nigel took over the full-time drumming chores when Bisquera left to pursue other projects. Olsson, never seen on stage without his trademark headphones and gloves, has been said to have a soulful singing voice.
Olsson also served a very brief time with the English hard rock band Uriah Heep, playing drums for some songs on its 1970 debut LP, Very 'eavy... Very 'umble.

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★ Drum Tech

★ Nigel Olsson