Jimmy Nail biography

Vocalist Jimmy Nail first came to prominence in England as an actor during the early '80s, in the highly successful BBC-TV series Auf Wiedersehen Pet.

His next TV work, Spender, was a labor of love; he wrote and produced the series, starring as undercover detective Freddie Spender as well. He won several awards for the show, which also launched a best-selling novel.

More awards were forthcoming for his series Crocodile Shoes, in which he played a third-rate country singer.

Nail began recording in the mid-'80s, and first gained an American contract with the 1992 album Growing Up in Public. His 1995 LP Crocodile Shoes -- based on the TV series -- went triple-platinum in Great Britain (and spawned a best-selling follow-up one year later). In 1996, Jimmy Nail earned his most popular role, that of tango singer Agustín Magaldi in Madonna's feature-film version of Evita.

Although he made a living through acting, his first love was music. He had pop hits with "Ain't No Doubt", written by Charlie Dore, "Crocodile Shoes", and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore". His album Growing Up in Public (East West, 1992) featured Gary Moore, David Gilmour, and George Harrison. Crocodile Shoes (East West, 1994) was based on the BBC television series of the same name, in which he played a mediocre country singer. The album sold nearly one million copies in Great Britain. Big River featured guitarist Mark Knopfler. Ten Great Songs and an OK Voice (Papillion, 2001) included cover versions of "Walking on the Moon" by The Police, "Something" by the Beatles, and "Overjoyed" by Stevie Wonder.