Wayne Nelson (born June 1, 1950) is an American musician best known for being the current lead singer of the rock band

Little River Band Little River Band (LRB) are a rock band originally formed in Melbourne, Australia, in March 1975. The band achieved commercial success in both Australia and the United States. They have sold more than 30 million records; six studio albums rea ...

, in which he also plays bass. Shortly after his birth, Nelson's family moved to

Rome, Illinois Rome is a census-designated place (CDP) in Medina Township, Peoria County, Illinois, United States. The population of the CDP was 1,738 at the 2010 census. Rome is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. Geography Rome is locat ...

, a suburb of Peoria. During his teenage years and early twenties, he played in various regional bands around the

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

area, emulating multiple styles but focusing on

rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated in African-American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly ...

. In 1978, Nelson moved to Los Angeles, and afterward worked with artists including

Kenny Loggins Kenneth Clark Loggins (born January 7, 1948) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. His early songs were recorded with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1970, which led to seven albums recorded as Loggins and Messina from 1972 to 1977. His ...

and Jim Messina. He toured with many performers. While in Messina's band and opening for Little River Band in 1980, LRB's management invited Nelson to join the Australian band, and he officially became a member in 1981. In addition to playing bass, he was the lead singer on LRB's hit single " The Night Owls" (1981). Nelson's daughter Aubree died in September 1992, aged 13, in a car collision in San Diego. Their son was injured in the same collision. Nelson left LRB from 1996 to 1999 but subsequently rejoined as bass guitarist and lead singer. Since 1997 LRB has no original members.

References

External links

Interview with Wayne Nelson on Yuzu Melodies
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson, Wayne 1950 births Living people Musicians from Kansas City, Missouri American bass guitarists American rock musicians American rock singers Singers from Illinois People from the Las Vegas Valley People from Peoria County, Illinois Little River Band members Guitarists from Illinois Guitarists from Missouri 20th-century American guitarists