Harry Nilsson himself also died tragically young. By the 1990s, now more or less in obscurity, Nilsson's health was beginning to suffer. He hadn't released an album in over a decade, according to The Washington Post, and had been diagnosed with diabetes, which had forced him to give up drinking.
Per the Independent, the songwriter was also broke. The newspaper quotes Nilsson's friend, the director Terry Gilliam, as saying "He told me he went to bed a multi-millionaire and woke up with $300," claiming his ruin was the fault of Nilsson's financial manager.
When Harry Nilsson suffered a heart attack in 1993, he reportedly decided it was high time to return to recording. The Washington Post reports that Nilsson, armed with a set of new demos, attempted to strike a new recording contract with Warner Bros. but was turned down. His final public appearance was with Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band at a concert in Las Vegas, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. He died January 15, 1994.
Nilsson's association with The Beatles changed his life and ripples of their association continue to be felt today. When Nilsson's son, Zak, announced his cancer diagnosis in 2019, he received a letter from Paul McCartney, wishing him a swift recovery. The letter, published by Far Out Magazine, also noted: "I was very privileged to know your Dad whom I knew as a lovely guy and a great talent."
