His early career was interrupted by various problems, but he eventually returned to recording and performing in the US and Europe, establishing himself as a singer-songwriter.

His grandfather ran an orchestra in Buffalo and was a vaudeville pianist who played with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Eddie Cantor.

[4] Nile studied philosophy at the University at Buffalo and lived in Greenwich Village while beginning his music career.

Afterward, he began frequenting such clubs as CBGB, where he saw performers including Patti Smith, Television, the Ramones, and Talking Heads.

[8][9][10] After his second album 1981's Golden Down, Nile became involved with protracted legal problems which curtailed his career for a number of years.

Issued in 1991, his Columbia Records CD, Places I Have Never Been, contained the songs "Everybody Needs A Hammer" and "Heaven Help The Lonely".

Places I Have Never Been featured appearances by backing musicians including Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, Roger McGuinn, and members of The Hooters and The Roches.

Nile has recorded and performed with several musicians, including Ringo Starr, Tori Amos, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Ian Hunter, and Barenaked Ladies.

Another project found Nile writing and performing most of the songs for the soundtrack to the Kevin McLaughlin film Pinch Me!.

It was chosen as one of the Top Ten Albums of the Year by critics at Billboard magazine, The Village Voice and Stereo Review.

[16] On April 23, 2013, at a ceremony in Leeds, England, Nile was named Legacy Ambassador for the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation.

[22][23][24] On May 28, 2015, at the Best Buy Theatre in New York City, Nile joined Springsteen, Joan Jett, Roger Daltrey and Billy Idol at the 11th annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert to honor Pete Townshend, for his commitment to helping other musicians with addictions.

[29] Giving the album an 88/100 rating, Elmore Magazine says "Jersey has Bruce Springsteen, but New York has Willie Nile".