Nicky Graham
Born in Durban South Africa, the son of a renowned Ballet Teacher Nancy Graham, who was involved in many theatrical Productions throughout Nicky’s formative years. The family returned to the UK in 1960, where he finished his education at Kingston School of Art, a hot bed of musical activity.
Nicky’s career started in the 1965 when his band The End was discovered by Bill Wyman and subsequently toured with the Rolling Stones. He progressed through cult band Tucky Buzzard, who toured America with the likes of the Grand Funk Railroad and Deep Purple. Before giving up life on the road, Nicky played keyboards with David Bowie’s Spiders from Mars during the Ziggy Stardust UK tour.
Nicky then began a successful career as Staff Producer/A&R Manager first at Polydor Records, then a 10 year run at CBS Records where he Produced, among others, The Nolans ( 2 million album sales), David Essex, Barbara Dickson and Bonnie Tyler. He also Produced the cast albums of many musicals including the Original London Cast Recording of ‘Annie’.
In 1984 he went freelance, producing and writing albums for such varied artistes as Andy Williams (USA), Pedrito Fernandez (Mexico) and Matt Moffitt (Australia). In 1986 he discovered BROS for whom he wrote When Will I Be Famous, the No 1 single I Owe You Nothing and 2 albums which sold over 5 million copies. All of their singles were multi-platinum world-wide.
More successes were Let Loose, whose single Crazy for You was double platinum as well as their Platinum Debut Album ‘Let Loose’. Nicky also put Ant & Dec on the map by taking them from Byker Grove and on to the Pop Stage, writing and producing the double platinum selling Psyche album ( PJ & Duncan aka), including the hit singles Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble / Eternal Love / Why Me / If I Give You My Number and Our Radio Rocks.
In 2001 Nicky became a Consultant to Sony Music where he was Director of A&R whilst retaining his Publishing and Production companies and continuing to serve the pop writing community for the past 21 years by his directorship of the PRS. During his return to A&R he signed platinum act The OperaBabes, Dame Shirley Bassey for her 50th Anniversary Album. He Produced Andy Williams duet with Denise Van Outen ‘Can’t Take My Eyes off You’ and the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Album from the Hit BBC Series featuring Bruce Forsyth. He also Produced an album with Shakin’ Stevens and Wrote and Produced Julio Iglesias for his latest English Language album.
Other recent projects outside of Sony have been Darius ( Pop Idol ) No 1 Single ‘Colourblind’ and platinum album ‘Dive In’ as well as Sinead Quinn ( Fame Academy ) No 2 single ‘ I Can’t Breakdown ‘ all for Mercury Records, Triple 8 for Polydor and Katie Price and Peter Andre’s album ‘A Whole New World’.
Nicky has been the A&R Consultant to the BBC on Eurovision for 2003 to 2005 and 2008 working with Jessica Garlick/ James Fox / Javine and Andy Abraham.
In a departure from his Music Production Nicky is currently Producing a Musical about the life of Marc Bolan and TRex. 20th Century Boy – The Musical has had very successful runs in Ipswich and most recently the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry.
There are plans to tour the UK before coming to the West End in 2017.
Most recently Nicky has been Producing Justin Fletcher ( Mr Tumble ) star of CBeebies.
‘Hands Up’ was the first album released in 2012 and has achieved Gold status. An album entitled Mr Tumble's Xmas Favourites is due for release late November 2016 on Sony.
Surprise Hit of 2013 was Ant & Dec’s Number 1 single of ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble’
which went to the top of the iTunes chart after one appearance on their Saturday Night Takeaway programme 19 years after it’s original release as PJ & Duncan aka. Nicky Wrote and Produced this timeless anthem.
March 2016