{{Short description|English musician and songwriter}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} [[File:Andy Nye Keys 94.jpg|thumb|alt=Andy Nye onstage in 1994.|Nye onstage in 1994]] '''Andy Dane Nye''' (born 8 April 1959 in [[London]], England) is an English musician, songwriter, author, producer and agent. He was a member of the [[Rock music|rock]] band [[The Michael Schenker Group]] at their peak in the 1980s and has also played keyboards for [[Sheena Easton]], [[Toyah Willcox]], [[Barbara Dickson]], [[Chris Farlowe]], [[Gerard Kenny]], [[Dennis Waterman]], [[Princess Stephanie of Monaco]], [[Jahn Teigen]], The Kick, After Hours and Mainland. His songs have been recorded by artists such as [[Roger Daltrey]], [[Asia (band)|Asia]], [[The Michael Schenker Group]], [[Ten Years After]], [[Chris Farlowe]], [[John Entwistle]], [[Colin Blunstone]] and [[The Zombies]]. Books from his ''Master Trilogy'' are Amazon best sellers.
==Biography== {{BLP sources section|date=January 2020}} Andy Nye was trained in classical piano from the age of eight, attending the Watford School of Music as a teenager and performing his first paid gig at the age of 14, playing the clarinet and alto saxophone in his grandfather's danceband.
On leaving school in 1977, he joined Mainland, a band managed by [[Deep Purple]]'s former co-manager Rob Cooksey, leading to his first studio experience under the auspices of Deep Purple producer [[Martin Birch]].
After an 81-date tour with [[Leo Sayer]] in 1979, culminating in five nights at The Hammersmith Odeon, the band disintegrated<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lespayne.com/about_les_content.htm |title=With Britain still gripped in the depths of the Second World War, Les Payne appeared for the very first time, in Newport on the Isle of Wight |publisher=Lespayne.com |accessdate=2014-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221182717/http://lespayne.com/about_les_content.htm |archive-date=21 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Nye was requisitioned to play keyboards with rising star [[Sheena Easton]] on her 1980 debut world tour, accompanying her live in the U.S. on [[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson|Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]] on three separate occasions.
In 1981, Nye switched to touring with British singer [[Barbara Dickson]], recording the live ''Here We Go'' album in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barbaradickson.net/here_we_go.html |title=Discography |publisher=Barbara Dickson |date=1982-10-14 |accessdate=2014-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919190409/http://www.barbaradickson.net/here_we_go.html |archive-date=19 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 1982, he was approached by Rob Cooksey and asked to perform on a session basis with the [[Michael Schenker Group]] (MSG) whom Cooksey was managing at that time. He was inducted as a permanent member after they headlined the [[Reading Festival]] in the summer of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/reading-82.html |title=Reading Rock Festival 1982 |website=Ukrockfestivals.com |date= |accessdate=2020-05-13}}</ref>
In 1984, whilst headlining the Rock in Japan series of festivals, which included [[Whitesnake]], [[Scorpions (band)|The Scorpions]] and [[Bon Jovi]] on the same bill,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/festivals/super-rock-84-in-japan-43d6fbf7.html|title=Super Rock '84 in Japan Setlists|website=Setlist.fm|accessdate=2020-05-13}}</ref> Nye was approached by [[David Coverdale]] and asked to perform with [[Whitesnake]], after the departure of keyboardist [[Jon Lord]]. He refused when discovering he'd be required to perform offstage. After a period of volatility within MSG, Schenker eventually disbanded the group later that year. Nye, who had previously signed a publishing deal with [[The Who]]'s management company, Trinifold, joined forces with [[the Who]]'s bass guitarist [[John Entwistle]] on a project called The Rock,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thewhothismonth.com/1985.html |title=The Who This Month! 1985 |website=Thewhothismonth.com |date= |accessdate=2020-05-13}}</ref> with [[Barriemore Barlow]] ([[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]]) on drums, later to be replaced by [[Zak Starkey]] ([[the Who]], [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]]).
In 1986, Nye began writing and recording with [[Leo Lyons]] ([[Ten Years After]]) as The Kick, resulting in the release of the album ''Heartland''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leolyons.org/kick/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821102907/http://www.leolyons.org/kick/|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 August 2008|title=LEO LYONS|date=21 August 2008|accessdate=2020-05-13}}</ref>
At the same time, he had started a writing partnership with [[John Payne (singer)|John Payne]], working on songs for the upcoming [[Electric Light Orchestra|ELO]] Part II project, Payne having been chosen to replace [[Jeff Lynne]] as vocalist. But Payne departed the project before recording began and he and Nye went on to form the Passion as a vehicle for their songs, enlisting the services of drummer [[Clive Burr]] ([[Iron Maiden]]), bass guitarist Mel Gabbitas and ex-[[Mike Oldfield]] guitarist Ant Glynne.
Payne was asked to join [[Asia (band)|Asia]] in 1991, whilst Nye had been writing and producing material for [[the Zombies]]' [[Colin Blunstone]], a move which resulted in many of the duo's songs being subsequently recorded by Asia on various albums.
Nye wrote, performed and recorded with After Hours<ref>The encyclopedia of popular music, Volume 1 - Colin Larkin. p. 73</ref> before returning to his original position of hired hand and touring the world with [[Toyah Willcox]], [[Princess Stephanie of Monaco]] and various other artists.
In 1995, he set up his own music agency, becoming [[Wishbone Ash]]'s UK agent in 2000,<ref>Carter & Chatterton (2001). ''Blowin' Free - Thirty Years of Wishbone Ash'', p. 191. Firefly Publishing, London. {{ISBN|0-946719-33-0}}.</ref> a position he holds to the present.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wishboneash.com/epk/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028222404/http://wishboneash.com/epk |url-status=usurped |archive-date=28 October 2009 |title=Wishbone Ash |website=Wishboneash.com |date= |accessdate=2014-07-23}}</ref>
In 1997, he formed PLATINUM – The Live ABBA Tribute Show,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.platinumabba.com |title=ABBA TRIBUTE BAND - Platinum ABBA - UK Based Premier International ABBA Tribute Act |publisher=Platinum ABBA |date= |accessdate=2014-07-23}}</ref> which has gone on to perform around the world to critical acclaim, with Nye undertaking the role of [[Benny Andersson]].
In 2009, Voiceprint released an album of the remaining Nye/Payne material entitled ''The Passion''.
In 2015, Nye's contribution as an agent to keeping Wishbone Ash a viable performing entity after more than forty years was acknowledged by founding member Andy Powell in his autobiography ''Eyes Wide Open''.<ref>''Eyes Wide Open'' - Andy Powell with Colin Harper. Jawbone. {{ISBN|978-1908279811}}</ref>
December 2019 saw the publication of Nye's debut novel, ''Master Piece'', a work of humorous, speculative fiction. Described in reviews as "Douglas Adams crossed with Terry Pratchett with a bit of Dan Brown action", it became an Amazon #1 Best Seller in 2020 and was followed in 2021 by the release of his second book, ''Master Plan'', which also acquired that status.
Having collaborated on many projects with [[Chris White (musician, born 1943)|Chris White]], in 2024 he was asked to write the introduction for the liner notes of The [[Chris White (musician, born 1943)|Chris White]] Experience - Volume Five, part of a series of albums released after White’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. White is Nye’s maternal uncle.
Master Mind, the final book in his Master Trilogy, was published in September 2024.
==Discography== *Mainland - "Who Do You Love" (1978, Single) *Mainland - "By Your Side" (1979, Single) *Mainland - "No Money" (1979, Single) *Mainland - ''Exposure'' (1979) *Dave Prowse and Tony Blackburn - "Green Cross Code" (1980) *Joanna and the Queens - “Successful” (1981, Single) *Yvonne & Norman Champion - "You and I" (1982) *Lorraine - "Lorraine" (1982) *Les Payne - "Who Will Be The Winner" (1982, Single) *Dune - "Dancin Heatwave" (1982, Single) *Loose Talk - "Dan Dare" (1982, Single) *[[Barbara Dickson]] - ''Here We Go'' (1982, Live) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - ''BBC Radio One Live in Concert'' (1982, Live) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - ''Reading Rock'' - Volume One (1982, Live) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - ''[[Built to Destroy (Michael Schenker Group album)|Built to Destroy]]'' (1983) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - ''[[Rock Will Never Die]]'' (1984, Live) *[[Roger Daltrey]] - "[[Under a Raging Moon (album)|Under a Raging Moon]]" (1985) Writing Credit *[[Roger Daltrey]] - "[[After the Fire (song)|After The Fire]]" (1985, Single) B-Side Writing Credit *[[Roger Daltrey]] - "[[Quicksilver Lightning]]" (1986, USA Single) B-Side Writing Credit *[[Michael Schenker]] - Portfolio (1987) *The Kick - ''Heartland'' (1988) *[[Chris Farlowe]] - ''Waiting in the Wings'' (1988) *[[Ten Years After]] - ''About Time'' (1989) Writing Credit *After Hours - ''After Hours'' (1989) *Ronny's Pop Show 15 - ''CBS'' (1990) Writing Credit *[[Michael Schenker Group|MSG]] - The Collection (1991, Compilation) *[[The Zombies]] - ''New World'' (1991) Writing Credits *The Kick - ''This Can't Be Love'' (1992, Single) *[[Michael Schenker Group|MSG]] - ''The Essential Michael Schenker Group'' (1992, Compilation) *[[Asia (band)|Asia]] - ''[[Aqua (Asia album)|Aqua]]'' (1992) Writing Credit *[[Asia (band)|Asia]] - ''[[Aria (Asia album)|Aria]]'' (1992) Writing Credits *[[Michael Schenker]] - ''Anthology'' (1993) *[[Jahn Teigen]] - ''Rondo'' (1993) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - BBC Radio One Live In Concert (1993) *Mike Fab Gere & The Permissive Society - "I Am The Walrus" (1993, Single) *Mike Fab Gere & The Permissive Society - "Summer of Love" (1994, Single) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - ''Armed & Ready. The Best of the Michael Schenker Group'' (1994) *[[Chris Farlowe]] - "Out of Time" (1994) *[[Chris Thompson (English musician)|Chris Thompson]] - ''Blinded by the Light'' (1994, Single) *[[Toyah Willcox|Toyah]] - ''Looking Back'' (1995) *[[Asia (band)|Asia]] - ''[[Archiva 1]]'' (1996) *[[Asia (band)|Asia]] - ''[[Archiva 2]]'' (1996) *[[Leo Lyons]]' Kick - ''Tough Trip Through Paradise'' (1996) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - "Assault Attack / Rock Will Never Die" (1996) *[[Colin Blunstone]] - ''The Light Inside'' (1998) Writing Credits *[[Asia (band)|Asia]] – ''[[Axioms]]'' (1999) Writing Credits *[[Michael Schenker]] - ''Into The Arena 1972–1995'' (2000, Compilation) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - "Back to Attack Live" (2003) *[[Gary Barden]] - ''Past and Present'' (2004) Writing Credit *[[Ten Years After]] - ''Roadworks'' (2005) Writing Credit *[[John Entwistle]] - ''[[The Rock (John Entwistle album)|The Rock]]'' (2006) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - The Best of the Michael Schenker Group 1980–1984 (2008) *[[Asia (band)|Asia]] - ''Best of Asia'' (2008) *[[Chris Thompson (English musician)|Chris Thompson]] - ''Backtrack 1980-1994'' (2008) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - Walk The Stage - The Official Bootleg Box (2009) *[[John Payne (singer)|John Payne]] & Andy Nye - ''The Passion'' (2009) *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - Walk The Stage - The Highlights (2013) *[[Chris Thompson (English musician)|Chris Thompson]] - ''Jukebox (The Ultimate Collection)'' (2015) *[[Michael Schenker]]’s Temple of Rock – "On a Mission – Live in Madrid" (2016) Writing Credit *The [[Chris White (musician, born 1943)|Chris White]] Experience - Volume One (2019) *The [[Chris White (musician, born 1943)|Chris White]] Experience - Volume Two (2019) *The [[Chris White (musician, born 1943)|Chris White]] Experience - Volume Three (2020) *The [[Chris White (musician, born 1943)|Chris White]] Experience - Volume Four (2020) *[[Leo Lyons]]’ Hundred Seventy Split - "Movin’ On" (2024) Writing Credit *The [[Chris White (musician, born 1943)|Chris White]] Experience - The Best Of (2024) Writing Credit *[[Michael Schenker Group]] - "Is It Loud Enough?" (2024) *The [[Chris White (musician, born 1943)|Chris White]] Experience - Volume Seven (2025)
==Bibliography== *Master Piece - The Master Trilogy, Book 1 (2019) *Master Plan - The Master Trilogy, Book 2 (2021) *Master Mind - The Master Trilogy, Book 3 (2024)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Discogs artist}}
{{Michael Schenker Group|state=autocollapse}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nye, Andy}} [[Category:English rock musicians]] [[Category:English rock keyboardists]] [[Category:English male songwriters]] [[Category:English writers]] [[Category:1959 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Musicians from London]] [[Category:Michael Schenker Group members]]