Nigel Williamson
Acting
Biography
Nigel Williamson (born 1954) is a British journalist. Educated at University College London, Williamson worked as a reporter on Tribune (1982–84) and was then briefly its literary editor (1984) before becoming editor (1984–87) as successor to Chris Mullin. Just before the 1987 general election he was hired as the editor of the Labour Party's members' magazine Labour Party News (1987–89), to which he added the editorship of the party's monthly New Socialist (1987–89) replacing Stuart Weir. He also served as a press officer to Labour leader Neil Kinnock during the 1987 general election. In 1989 Williamson joined The Times as a political correspondent with a twice weekly column on the op-ed page. He became diary editor (1990–92), then home news editor (1992–95) and Whitehall correspondent (1995–96). He went freelance in 1996 to become a music critic, celebrity interviewer and obituarist for The Times. He writes on pop and world music for a variety of publications and was a contributing editor to the magazines Uncut and Billboard. He is also a contributing editor of Songlines magazine. He has written several books, including Journey Through The Past: The Stories Behind The Classic Songs Of Neil Young, The Rough Guide to Bob Dylan, The Rough Guide to Led Zeppelin, The Rough Guide to The Best Music You've Never Heard and The Rough Guide to the Blues, The Straight Ahead Guide to Bob Dylan and The Straight Ahead Guide to Led Zeppelin. Williamson is also a member of Kent County Cricket Club. He expressed his concern over Kent's logo rebrand in 2010, calling it "banal and meaningless". In 2011, Williamson and fellow member Graham Holland started a campaign for more open and accountable management of Kent County Cricket Club and for the club's first contested committee election since 2008.
Known For
A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.
Classic Albums
This film traces the path Floyd took after the recording of the Animals album - an era when cracks in the band first started to show - and brings the strange story of the group and the intense relationship between Waters and Gilmour right up to date with the unexpected collaboration of these two maverick musicians at a 2010 charity event. Featuring numerous interviews.
Pink Floyd: Whatever Happened to Pink Floyd? The Strange Case of Waters and Gilmour
The story of the Greenwich Village Folk Revival, and the part Bob Dylan played in it. This film tells the story of Dylan's entry into and departure from the US Folk Revival, and features new interviews with many of the big players from the scene as it unfolded, as well as an abundance of timely footage, rare performances and numerous other features.
Bob Dylan: Roads Rapidly Changing - In & Out of the Folk Revival 1961 - 1965
This documentary film follows the career and music of Bob Dylan from the aftermath of his stunning 1989 comeback album Oh Mercy and follows his story up to 2006's masterpiece, Modern Times.
Bob Dylan: 1990-2006 - The Never Ending Narrative
This film reviews the music and career of one of the worlds most influential performers, singers and songwriters; arguably the most unique female artist ever. It includes rare musical performances never available before on DVD.
Kate Bush: Under Review
Documentary profile of Dylan's career during one of his most controversial periods - his Christian fundamentalist phase. The period covered runs from late 1978 through to what many regard as his return to form - 1989's 'Oh Mercy' - and includes rare Dylan footage alongside live and studio versions of his most pivotal songs.
Bob Dylan: 1978-1989 - Both Ends of the Rainbow
Delve into the career of poet, author, composer and musician Leonard Cohen, who has been called one of the premiere folk singers of the 1960s and '70s. This documentary relies on rare concert footage, archival photos and interviews with music critics to help explain the significance of Cohen's unique art. The film focuses on the five albums he released between 1967 and 1977, including "Death of a Ladies' Man," produced by Phil Spector.
Leonard Cohen: Under Review: 1934-1977
This documentary explores the musical influences of Mick Jagger, lead singer of The Rolling Stones, and chronicles Jagger's life during the key years of 1963-1972, while Jagger was in his 20s.
The Roaring 20s: Mick Jagger's Glory Years
Getting Away From Sidney - BBC TV documentary about Graeae, a touring theatre company of disabled actors (1981) The Arena arts TV programme which put Graeae Theatre Company on the map in 1981. In this documentary are scenes from Graeae's first show "SIDESHOW", and interviews with the very first and original company, which consisted of Richard Tomlinson, co-founder and director, and cast of six disabled actors (three men, and three women), Will Kennen, Jag Plah, Nabil Shaban (co-founder), Elane Roberts, Marion Saunders and Alex Lowe. This Arena documentary not only helped begin a revolution in disability arts and culture, but it was also directly responsible for Nabil Shaban being offered work in Channel Four's TV film "Walter", in the Royal Court theatre production of "The Emperor", and the part of Sil in Doctor Who "Vengeance on Varos". The Arena documentary was produced by Alan Yentob, and directed by Nigel Williamson.