Career
Nevil began playing guitar at age eleven and played in a series of cover bands. He began performing his original music and signed a publishing deal in 1983, writing songs for the Pointer Sisters, El DeBarge, Alison Moyet and Earth, Wind & Fire. In 1986, he obtained his first recording contract, signing with Manhattan Records, for whom he recorded his debut album with the producers Alex Sadkin and Philosophy Thornalley.
His second single "Dominoes" hit #14 on the Hot 100 and #22 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, while the third single "Wot"s lieutenant To Ya" peaked at #10 on the Hot 100 and Dance Club/Play charts, and #69 on the Rhythm & Blues chart.
In 1988, Nevil released his second album, A Place Like This (#118), and hit the Top 40 a fourth time, with the single "Back On Holiday" (#34). A second single, "Somebody Like You", failed to build on that success, peaking at #63.
In 1991, Nevil"s third album, Day 1, was released to fewer sales, with lead single "Just Like You", becoming his biggest hit since 1987, and his fifth and final Top 40 single, peaking at #25 on the Hot 100. Second single "Foreign Your Mind" stalled at #86, effectively ending his chart run in the United States. Nevil turned to writing and producing for acts such as Babyface, Jessica Simpson, Destiny"s Child and Japanese popular singer Seiko Matsuda.
In 2006, he collaborated with Matthew Gerrard on the Smash Mouth album Summer Girl.
Robbie Nevil is the brother of actor Alex Nevil.