AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Nigel Olsson

Artist:Nigel Olsson

Song:Dancin' Shoes

Album:Super Hits of the '70s: Have a Nice Day Vol. 22

Nigel Olsson is best known as Elton John's drummer. When he's not doing that, he's a session musician. He also recorded a few albums in the 70s and scored a top 20 hit with the 1978 single Dancin' Shoes. A couple of his other songs charted so Olsson is technically not a one hit wonder. But Dancin' Shoes was his only memorable song. He was born Feb. 10, 1949 in Wallasey, Cheshire, England. He started out playing guitar but took up drums when a drummer failed to show for a gig. His first appearance on record was with the band Plastic Penny. They recorded two albums. Olsson was in the group Argosy led by future Supertramp leader Roger Hodgson. Elton John was also in that band along with future studio musician Caleb Quaye. They recorded one single. After a brief stint with Uriah Heep, Olsson joined The Spencer Davis Group just before they split up. That's where he met Elton John bassist Dee Murray. Both guys worked on John's demos. So when John got his record deal and became a big star, Olsson was his drummer until 1975. He started working sessions with Neil Sedaka, Linda Ronstadt and Rod Stewart. He also recorded a 1975 album for Elton John's label Rocket Records. While continuing studio work, Olsson signed with Bang Records with Columbia distribution. He recorded three albums for Bang. Dancin' Shoes is from the 1978 album Nigel. This was Olsson's second Bang album. Dancin' Shoes reached #18 on the Billboard Hot 100. Olsson wrote and produced half the songs on the album. But he also worked with another Bang artist Paul Davis (I Go Crazy). Davis produced Dancin' Shoes. The guitar solo is by legendary session guitarist Jay Graydon.  The song was written by Faith Band lead singer Carl Storie. Their original version reached #54 on the Billboard Hot 100. So why did Olsson's cover chart higher? It was released first. Mercury Records released Faith Band's Dancin' Shoes as a single only after Olsson's recording started getting radio play. I listened to both. They are very similar. Dancin' Shoes is available on this Rhino various artists budget comp. Bang was sold to Columbia in 1979. When Olsson's 1980 album Changing Tides didn't sell, he returned to Elton John's band for a few years. Olsson released an album in 2001. But mostly he continues to tour and record with Elton John and play sessions. Here's a video for Dancin' Shoes by Nigel Olsson.