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If you’ve ever belted out the iconic line “I just died in your arms tonight…”, then you already know the unforgettable voice of Nick Van Eede, frontman of Cutting Crew. But beyond the band’s 1986 smash hit lies a rich, resilient, and often surprising journey of a musician who’s weathered the ups and downs of the industry—and come out stronger for it.
Nick Van Eede, originally from England, had already been involved in music as a solo artist and producer before he co-founded Cutting Crew with Canadian guitarist Kevin MacMichael in the mid-1980s. The band’s debut album, Broadcast, featured the global hit “(I Just) Died in Your Arms,” which shot to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining song of the decade.
Their follow-up singles, including “I’ve Been in Love Before” and “One for the Mockingbird,” helped solidify their place in the pop-rock landscape. But despite initial success, the music industry’s ever-changing tides weren’t always in the band’s favour.
When Cutting Crew was dropped by their label in the early 1990s, many might have expected Van Eede to fade into music history. Instead, he shifted gears, diving into songwriting and production for other artists. One of his most intriguing credits? Producing the original demo of Cher’s mega-hit “Believe.”
In 1996, Van Eede even auditioned to become the new frontman of Genesis after Phil Collins left—a testament to his vocal talent and industry respect. Though he didn’t land the role (it ultimately went to Ray Wilson), the fact that he was considered speaks volumes.
Far from done, Nick Van Eede revived Cutting Crew in 2005 with a new lineup and fresh energy. They released Grinning Souls and began touring again, bringing their music to a new generation of fans. In 2020, they released “Ransomed Healed Restored Forgiven,” an album of reimagined classics with orchestral arrangements, showcasing the band’s enduring musicality and Van Eede’s willingness to evolve.
What stands out most in Nick Van Eede’s journey is not just the early success, but the resilience and passion that carried him through the quieter years. He’s a testament to what it means to be a lifelong artist—reinventing, experimenting, and always returning to the music that started it all.
In a candid interview with Barret Edelstein, aka “The Celeb Savant,” Nick opens up about how he reconstructed Cutting Crew’s career, the emotional highs and lows of the music world, and the moments that defined his legacy.
Listen to the full Celeb Savant podcast interview with Nick Van Eede below:
