# Andy Nye > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Andy_Nye > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Andy_Nye.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Nye > Source revision: 1334796573 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) English musician and songwriter Nye onstage in 1994 **Andy Dane Nye** (born 8 April 1959 in [London](/source/London), England) is an English musician, songwriter, author, producer and agent. He was a member of the [rock](/source/Rock_music) band [The Michael Schenker Group](/source/The_Michael_Schenker_Group) at their peak in the 1980s and has also played keyboards for [Sheena Easton](/source/Sheena_Easton), [Toyah Willcox](/source/Toyah_Willcox), [Barbara Dickson](/source/Barbara_Dickson), [Chris Farlowe](/source/Chris_Farlowe), [Gerard Kenny](/source/Gerard_Kenny), [Dennis Waterman](/source/Dennis_Waterman), [Princess Stephanie of Monaco](/source/Princess_Stephanie_of_Monaco), [Jahn Teigen](/source/Jahn_Teigen), The Kick, After Hours and Mainland. His songs have been recorded by artists such as [Roger Daltrey](/source/Roger_Daltrey), [Asia](/source/Asia_(band)), [The Michael Schenker Group](/source/The_Michael_Schenker_Group), [Ten Years After](/source/Ten_Years_After), [Chris Farlowe](/source/Chris_Farlowe), [John Entwistle](/source/John_Entwistle), [Colin Blunstone](/source/Colin_Blunstone) and [The Zombies](/source/The_Zombies). Books from his *Master Trilogy* are Amazon best sellers. ## Biography This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Andy Nye" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) 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](/source/Deep_Purple)'s former co-manager Rob Cooksey, leading to his first studio experience under the auspices of Deep Purple producer [Martin Birch](/source/Martin_Birch). After an 81-date tour with [Leo Sayer](/source/Leo_Sayer) in 1979, culminating in five nights at The Hammersmith Odeon, the band disintegrated[1] and Nye was requisitioned to play keyboards with rising star [Sheena Easton](/source/Sheena_Easton) on her 1980 debut world tour, accompanying her live in the U.S. on [Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson](/source/The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Johnny_Carson) on three separate occasions. In 1981, Nye switched to touring with British singer [Barbara Dickson](/source/Barbara_Dickson), recording the live *Here We Go* album in the process.[2] In 1982, he was approached by Rob Cooksey and asked to perform on a session basis with the [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) (MSG) whom Cooksey was managing at that time. He was inducted as a permanent member after they headlined the [Reading Festival](/source/Reading_Festival) in the summer of that year.[3] In 1984, whilst headlining the Rock in Japan series of festivals, which included [Whitesnake](/source/Whitesnake), [The Scorpions](/source/Scorpions_(band)) and [Bon Jovi](/source/Bon_Jovi) on the same bill,[4] Nye was approached by [David Coverdale](/source/David_Coverdale) and asked to perform with [Whitesnake](/source/Whitesnake), after the departure of keyboardist [Jon Lord](/source/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](/source/The_Who)'s management company, Trinifold, joined forces with [the Who](/source/The_Who)'s bass guitarist [John Entwistle](/source/John_Entwistle) on a project called The Rock,[5] with [Barriemore Barlow](/source/Barriemore_Barlow) ([Jethro Tull](/source/Jethro_Tull_(band))) on drums, later to be replaced by [Zak Starkey](/source/Zak_Starkey) ([the Who](/source/The_Who), [Oasis](/source/Oasis_(band))). In 1986, Nye began writing and recording with [Leo Lyons](/source/Leo_Lyons) ([Ten Years After](/source/Ten_Years_After)) as The Kick, resulting in the release of the album *Heartland*.[6] At the same time, he had started a writing partnership with [John Payne](/source/John_Payne_(singer)), working on songs for the upcoming [ELO](/source/Electric_Light_Orchestra) Part II project, Payne having been chosen to replace [Jeff Lynne](/source/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](/source/Clive_Burr) ([Iron Maiden](/source/Iron_Maiden)), bass guitarist Mel Gabbitas and ex-[Mike Oldfield](/source/Mike_Oldfield) guitarist Ant Glynne. Payne was asked to join [Asia](/source/Asia_(band)) in 1991, whilst Nye had been writing and producing material for [the Zombies](/source/The_Zombies)' [Colin Blunstone](/source/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[7] before returning to his original position of hired hand and touring the world with [Toyah Willcox](/source/Toyah_Willcox), [Princess Stephanie of Monaco](/source/Princess_Stephanie_of_Monaco) and various other artists. In 1995, he set up his own music agency, becoming [Wishbone Ash](/source/Wishbone_Ash)'s UK agent in 2000,[8] a position he holds to the present.[9] In 1997, he formed PLATINUM – The Live ABBA Tribute Show,[10] which has gone on to perform around the world to critical acclaim, with Nye undertaking the role of [Benny Andersson](/source/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*.[11] 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](/source/Chris_White_(musician%2C_born_1943)), in 2024 he was asked to write the introduction for the liner notes of The [Chris White](/source/Chris_White_(musician%2C_born_1943)) 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](/source/Barbara_Dickson) - *Here We Go* (1982, Live) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - *BBC Radio One Live in Concert* (1982, Live) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - *Reading Rock* - Volume One (1982, Live) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - *[Built to Destroy](/source/Built_to_Destroy_(Michael_Schenker_Group_album))* (1983) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - *[Rock Will Never Die](/source/Rock_Will_Never_Die)* (1984, Live) - [Roger Daltrey](/source/Roger_Daltrey) - "[Under a Raging Moon](/source/Under_a_Raging_Moon_(album))" (1985) Writing Credit - [Roger Daltrey](/source/Roger_Daltrey) - "[After The Fire](/source/After_the_Fire_(song))" (1985, Single) B-Side Writing Credit - [Roger Daltrey](/source/Roger_Daltrey) - "[Quicksilver Lightning](/source/Quicksilver_Lightning)" (1986, USA Single) B-Side Writing Credit - [Michael Schenker](/source/Michael_Schenker) - Portfolio (1987) - The Kick - *Heartland* (1988) - [Chris Farlowe](/source/Chris_Farlowe) - *Waiting in the Wings* (1988) - [Ten Years After](/source/Ten_Years_After) - *About Time* (1989) Writing Credit - After Hours - *After Hours* (1989) - Ronny's Pop Show 15 - *CBS* (1990) Writing Credit - [MSG](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - The Collection (1991, Compilation) - [The Zombies](/source/The_Zombies) - *New World* (1991) Writing Credits - The Kick - *This Can't Be Love* (1992, Single) - [MSG](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - *The Essential Michael Schenker Group* (1992, Compilation) - [Asia](/source/Asia_(band)) - *[Aqua](/source/Aqua_(Asia_album))* (1992) Writing Credit - [Asia](/source/Asia_(band)) - *[Aria](/source/Aria_(Asia_album))* (1992) Writing Credits - [Michael Schenker](/source/Michael_Schenker) - *Anthology* (1993) - [Jahn Teigen](/source/Jahn_Teigen) - *Rondo* (1993) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/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](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - *Armed & Ready. The Best of the Michael Schenker Group* (1994) - [Chris Farlowe](/source/Chris_Farlowe) - "Out of Time" (1994) - [Chris Thompson](/source/Chris_Thompson_(English_musician)) - *Blinded by the Light* (1994, Single) - [Toyah](/source/Toyah_Willcox) - *Looking Back* (1995) - [Asia](/source/Asia_(band)) - *[Archiva 1](/source/Archiva_1)* (1996) - [Asia](/source/Asia_(band)) - *[Archiva 2](/source/Archiva_2)* (1996) - [Leo Lyons](/source/Leo_Lyons)' Kick - *Tough Trip Through Paradise* (1996) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - "Assault Attack / Rock Will Never Die" (1996) - [Colin Blunstone](/source/Colin_Blunstone) - *The Light Inside* (1998) Writing Credits - [Asia](/source/Asia_(band)) – *[Axioms](/source/Axioms)* (1999) Writing Credits - [Michael Schenker](/source/Michael_Schenker) - *Into The Arena 1972–1995* (2000, Compilation) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - "Back to Attack Live" (2003) - [Gary Barden](/source/Gary_Barden) - *Past and Present* (2004) Writing Credit - [Ten Years After](/source/Ten_Years_After) - *Roadworks* (2005) Writing Credit - [John Entwistle](/source/John_Entwistle) - *[The Rock](/source/The_Rock_(John_Entwistle_album))* (2006) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - The Best of the Michael Schenker Group 1980–1984 (2008) - [Asia](/source/Asia_(band)) - *Best of Asia* (2008) - [Chris Thompson](/source/Chris_Thompson_(English_musician)) - *Backtrack 1980-1994* (2008) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - Walk The Stage - The Official Bootleg Box (2009) - [John Payne](/source/John_Payne_(singer)) & Andy Nye - *The Passion* (2009) - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - Walk The Stage - The Highlights (2013) - [Chris Thompson](/source/Chris_Thompson_(English_musician)) - *Jukebox (The Ultimate Collection)* (2015) - [Michael Schenker](/source/Michael_Schenker)’s Temple of Rock – "On a Mission – Live in Madrid" (2016) Writing Credit - The [Chris White](/source/Chris_White_(musician%2C_born_1943)) Experience - Volume One (2019) - The [Chris White](/source/Chris_White_(musician%2C_born_1943)) Experience - Volume Two (2019) - The [Chris White](/source/Chris_White_(musician%2C_born_1943)) Experience - Volume Three (2020) - The [Chris White](/source/Chris_White_(musician%2C_born_1943)) Experience - Volume Four (2020) - [Leo Lyons](/source/Leo_Lyons)’ Hundred Seventy Split - "Movin’ On" (2024) Writing Credit - The [Chris White](/source/Chris_White_(musician%2C_born_1943)) Experience - The Best Of (2024) Writing Credit - [Michael Schenker Group](/source/Michael_Schenker_Group) - "Is It Loud Enough?" (2024) - The [Chris White](/source/Chris_White_(musician%2C_born_1943)) 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 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["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"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131221182717/http://lespayne.com/about_les_content.htm). Lespayne.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.lespayne.com/about_les_content.htm) on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Discography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180919190409/http://www.barbaradickson.net/here_we_go.html). Barbara Dickson. 14 October 1982. Archived from [the original](http://www.barbaradickson.net/here_we_go.html) on 19 September 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Reading Rock Festival 1982"](http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/reading-82.html). *Ukrockfestivals.com*. Retrieved 13 May 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Super Rock '84 in Japan Setlists"](https://www.setlist.fm/festivals/super-rock-84-in-japan-43d6fbf7.html). *Setlist.fm*. Retrieved 13 May 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["The Who This Month! 1985"](http://thewhothismonth.com/1985.html). *Thewhothismonth.com*. Retrieved 13 May 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["LEO LYONS"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080821102907/http://www.leolyons.org/kick/). 21 August 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.leolyons.org/kick/) on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** The encyclopedia of popular music, Volume 1 - Colin Larkin. p. 73 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Carter & Chatterton (2001). *Blowin' Free - Thirty Years of Wishbone Ash*, p. 191. Firefly Publishing, London. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-946719-33-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-946719-33-0). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Wishbone Ash"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091028222404/http://wishboneash.com/epk). *Wishboneash.com*. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["ABBA TRIBUTE BAND - Platinum ABBA - UK Based Premier International ABBA Tribute Act"](http://www.platinumabba.com). Platinum ABBA. Retrieved 23 July 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *Eyes Wide Open* - Andy Powell with Colin Harper. Jawbone. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1908279811](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1908279811) ## External links - [Andy Nye](https://www.discogs.com/artist/910394) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs) v t e Michael Schenker Group Michael Schenker Steve Mann Bodo Schopf Barend Courbois Erik Grönwall Raymond Louis Kennedy Leif Sundin David VanLanding Kelly Keeling Graham Bonnet Don Airey Paul Raymond Tommy Eyre Andy Nye Jesse Harms Derek St. Holmes Billy Sheehan Mo Foster Jeff Pilson Jeff Kollman Stuart Hamm Pete Way Neil Murray Francis Buchholz Chris Glen Denny Carmassi Cozy Powell Simon Phillips Ted McKenna James Kottak Shane Gaalaas Jeff Martin Chris Slade Carmine Appice Brian Tichy Herman Rarebell Gary Barden Robin McAuley Doogie White Barry Sparks Studio albums The Michael Schenker Group (1980) MSG (1981) Assault Attack (1982) Built to Destroy (1983) Written in the Sand (1996) The Unforgiven (1999) Be Aware of Scorpions (2001) Arachnophobiac (2003) Tales of Rock'n'Roll (2006) In the Midst of Beauty (2008) Live albums One Night at Budokan (1982) Rock Will Never Die (1984) The Michael Schenker Story Live (1997) The Unforgiven World Tour (1999) The 30th Anniversary Concert: Live in Tokyo (2010) Cover albums Heavy Hitters (2005) Related Members Discography Authority control databases: Artists MusicBrainz --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Andy Nye](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Nye) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Nye?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.