Nigel Harrison (Blondie, Silverhead, Ray Manzarek)

 

Tune in to classic rock radio and you’ll likely hear this cat laying down grooves on his maple neck Fender Precision…

 

A bassist, composer, and co-writer of “One Way of Another,” “Union City Blue,” and “Eat to the Beat” – Nigel Harrison anchored Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Blondie during their classic run which included such seminal sides as Parallel Lines (1978), Eat to the Beat (1979), and Autoamerican (1980).

 

“One Way or Another” https://youtu.be/valVixMpzQY

 

“Union City Blue” https://youtu.be/Hvqgb1D6Opw

 

“Eat to the Beat” https://youtu.be/dh6L_7770pM

 

Dig Nigel’s bass solo! “Atomic” https://youtu.be/O_WLw_0DFQQ

 

 

 

Harrison also worked the harmonic and rhythmic foundation for one of rock’s great unheralded ensembles – Silverhead – helmed by Michael Des Barres. Silverhead waxed two magnificent sides: Silverhead (1972) and 16 and Savaged (1973).

 

Nigel was the bassist with Ray Manzarek’s Nite City, and Chequered Past with bassist Tony Sales moonlighting on guitar, Des Barres, Frank Infante, and Sex Piston on busman’s holiday Steve Jones.

 

 Silverhead “Sixteen and Savaged” https://youtu.be/4j1MW55y99Y

 

 Nite City on their signature tune: https://youtu.be/emPdI-Oo3pw

 

Chequered Past “A World Gone Wild” https://youtu.be/tJW2x-jER3I

 

Nigel’s punchy octaving riffage on “Heart of Glass” made “disco” (somewhat) acceptable to rockers!

 

“Heart of Glass” https://youtu.be/WGU_4-5RaxU