Nick Drake, British singer and songwriter: biography, albums

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Nicholas Rodney Drake was a popular British singer in the early 1970s. He became famous for performing his own compositions with an acoustic guitar, which brought sad notes to the overall performance of the songs and shrouded in mysticism. A wonderful and underestimated artist Nick Drake, whose biography is sad, will forever remain in the memory of fans of his talent.

Childhood of a musician

Nick Drake was born in 1948, June 19, in a we althy family, and from childhood he had the best that fate could offer. His family moved to Burma in the early 1930s. Nick's father was an engineer in a large trading corporation, which at that time was one of the most influential commercial organizations. Nick's mother, Mary Lloyd, was the daughter of one of the managers. Immediately after they met, his parents planned to get married. But, according to family values, the traditions of the Mary family, this event took place only a year after the marriage proposal. When she turned 21, young people happily got married.

They could not continue their stay in Burma due to the occupation of the country in those years by Japanese troops. The young family had no choice but to immigrate to India for three years. After two years, which they spent in this country, their first child was born. It was the long-awaited girl, who was named Gabrielle Drake. This is how Nick Drake's older sister was born.

Already in 1950, the Drake family moved to Bombay. And two years later - to England. Where they chose the luxurious two-story Far Lace mansion in the village of Tanworth-in-Aden. This house, many years later, will be both the first and last refuge in the life of the British singer.

One can note the special love of Nick's parents for music. They composed their own compositions. Mary and Rodney loved music and everything connected with it. Therefore, it is not surprising that little Nick grew up to be a talented child. Thanks to the efforts of his mother, Nick Drake owned such a musical instrument as the piano from early childhood.

Singer's school years

Eagle House boarding school in Berkshire opened its doors to Nick in 1957. In this institution, he studied for five years, after which he successfully entered college. Nick showed serious promise in sports. This is evidenced by his record in the 100-yard dash, which to this day no Marlboro student has been able to overcome. At some point, he even took part in a rugby game, where he was appointed team captain. In parallel, Nick Drake participated in the college orchestra, where he played the clarinet and saxophone.

About 1965Nick organized his first school group, consisting of his comrades. In it, he himself played the piano, but sometimes he could sing and play the saxophone. "Scented Gardeners" performed cover versions of popular songs and jazz standards, which became famous in their time.

The musician's studies began to lose ground. He was immersed in music, art, his own band and songs, so his academic knowledge was at a low level. He miserably failed the next exams in chemistry and physics, but even after that the British singer did not stop singing songs. In 1965, Nick acquired his own acoustic guitar, which would later become his main musical assistant and collaborator. With her, he traveled and attended concerts of some of the famous artists of Britain.

University years

After successfully passing college exams, Nick Drake entered Fitzwilliam College at the University of Cambridge to study English Literature. All these events developed in 1966. However, the British singer was in no hurry to start studying at such a prestigious institution. That is why he took an academic leave to live in France. There he lived with friends from August to October 1966.

After returning to England in October, he first tried a joint of marijuana in London. After that, he again returned to France in search of more serious drugs, but in the end he went to Morocco for the best weed in the world.

Returnsinger

When Nick Drake returned home, he moved in with his sister. Her apartment was located in the London suburb of Hampstead. Already in October, studies at Cambridge began. The teaching staff immediately noted that Nick Drake is a bright and charismatic character who does not show much interest in learning, but has excellent basic training. We can say that the passion for sports saved the British singer. Since it was this lesson in Cambridge that received special attention. But after a while, even their own physical training began to be replaced by smoking marijuana and playing the guitar. Nick did all this with friends in a Cambridge dorm room. Therefore, with each week of study, it became increasingly difficult for him to find a common language with students and teachers.

First steps in career

The original venues for Nick Drake's public performances were coffee houses, pubs and small cafes in London. By a happy coincidence and at the same time thanks to the painstaking creative process, Nick had the honor to meet one of the most famous producers of the time - Joe Boyd. This man introduced the world to the world's most popular rock, punk, folk, country bands and singers.

Nick is the author of songs that he himself performed. In 1968, after Boyd's suggestion, they recorded 4 songs together. Later, after listening to all of Drake's hits, Joe suggested that he sign a contract in order to later release his debut album, Five Leaves Left. According to Joe's recollections, Nick did not show much surprise, admiration or awe at him, but simply and calmlyreplied: "Ok, no problem. Let's do it!"

But Nick's close friend Paul Wheeler recalls how inspired Drake was, how he enjoyed his first successes on the star Olympus and was extremely excited about the career prospects of a popular British singer. After this event, he even decided to abandon his studies at Cambridge, and not finish his third year there.

Debut album story

At first, the album was rather difficult, because the British singer had the imprudence to invite musicians who played in completely different bands to his recording. Each of them was an indisputable authority in his environment. But even these moments were not the main reason for the discord, where the songwriter and producer could not find a common language for a long time. The root cause was that the album itself was recorded during the breaks between recording albums of other, more popular and successful artists of that time. Numerous rearrangements between the invited musicians to record the arrangements also could not have a positive effect on the progress of the work. As a result, after much effort and turmoil, the debut album was released in 1969, September 1.

Album failure

The following played a negative role in the fate of the album:

1. Many changes of musicians.
2. Album release delayed for several months.
3. Bad publicity.
4. Boring promotion.

All these moments could not positively affect the quality of reviews and reviews of Nick Drake's debut album. The artwork on the record left a lot to be desired.

After the release of the album, Nick himself was so depressed that he did not even have the desire to share the result of his long-awaited work with his sister. He was always a rather secretive guy, he did not talk about his plans, he showed his feelings and emotions with restraint. Gabrielle says that Nick came into her room, threw his debut album on the bed, saying, "Here it is!" - after which he immediately left.

The title of the album was given special attention. It seemed to have a subtext. Everyone thought that "Five sheets left" meant that it was time to buy new tissue paper. And it's no secret to anyone that then marijuana was twisted into it. Nick himself was pleased with the name, but did not bring any special meaning. And only five years later, the phrase Five leaves left will acquire a completely different, dark shade. When it becomes known that the British singer himself had only five years to live.

In September 1969, Nick opened for a popular band at the Royal Festival Hall. He immediately captivated the audience with his original performance, perhaps Drake's best performance.

Life in London

As far as studies are concerned, Drake had little desire to continue in this direction. Already in the autumn of 1969, he left Cambridge College and moved to London. According to Nick, studying distracted him from art and the creative process. So he made this decision. The father was extremely dissatisfied with the circumstances and soreckless decision of the son. He believed that a diploma of higher education is an additional insurance for all occasions. Not succumbing to his father's persuasion, Nick believed that he did not need such insurance, he was quite capable of doing without it.

The first months in London, Nick did not find a place for himself, constantly sleeping either with friends or at his sister's apartment.

By 1970, Nick Drake began to perform with enviable regularity. He thought performing once a week was good. Nick opened the performances of many popular bands, performed as an opening act, which did not bother him at all.

In July 1970, Sir Elton John himself recorded four cover versions of Drake's hits. It was unusual and amazing. They can be heard on John's 2001 album Prologue.

The second album, called Bryter layter, was recorded in mid-July 1970. For his recording, Nick again asked famous musicians to collaborate with him. It was hard work that paid off. It is difficult to say that the result of the recording was negative, it is easier to state the fact of the commercial non-realization of the project, which was organized by Nick Drake. The albums did not have the proper financial demand.

Life after another failure

Already after realizing his failure in London, Nick was almost desperate. He did not have the desire and strength to speak, he was shy of the public. Drake had complexes after Boyd's departure to Los Angeles. Nick has lost a significant figure in his life. Boyd was a mentor to him, Drake became depressed. All his optimistic mood from workfailed in London, he became unhappy and gloomy.

Many celebrities remember Drake in those days as very gloomy and extremely shy. For example, there was a case when Nick got up in the middle of performing his own song and left the hall. Apparently, something terrible was happening in his psyche, since he acted so unceremoniously with the public and his reputation.

Already in 1971, Nick's family, noticing dramatic changes in Drake's mental state, went to the clinic, where, after examinations, he was prescribed an impressive dose of antidepressants. The singer himself was worried about his reputation and did not put on public display the fact of his being in the clinic. Not even his close friends knew about it. Nick reacted painfully to any questions about his mental state. All these changes were difficult for him. He was so depressed that he was embarrassed to take his pills.

The last album in the life of the singer

After such a difficult 1970, Nick fenced himself off from the outside world. He went out only for a dose of marijuana or to play at some random concert. As for marijuana, according to his friends, Nick used it in unrealistic quantities. Even Drake's sister recalls with horror his words about that time: "He said that his life took a terrible turn right then. I noticed it myself."

But still, Nick Drake had the courage to contact John Wood to record a record that would later become the last of his career and life. The whole process was monotonous. He came to the studioguitar. It only took two nights to record, a total of 4 hours. During heart-to-heart talks, Drake and Wood shared many events from their lives. Nick spoke about deep depression, he shared these dark thoughts with John. He could not even clearly answer what was the beginning of such a gloomy state of his soul. The album turned out to be strict and cold, it was called Pink moon.

In February 1972, this album was released. He even had several flattering reviews from critics. Despite the fact that Pink moon had less commercial sales than the previous two albums, it is remembered in creative circles as the best. There were proposals to rewrite the album in a new arrangement, Nick simply did not consider it necessary to do this. The producers literally tore his hair out, why is he so stubborn and indifferent?

Nick was completely disappointed in himself, he believed that he was no longer able to write lyrics and music. Therefore, I began to think about a career as a programmer. I even decided to join the army.

Nick's attempts to create

In 1972, Nick returned to his home. He knew it was a step backwards. In May, he had a nervous breakdown. He was referred to a hospital in Warwickshire for treatment.

2 years later, Nick called John Wood. He said that he decided to record a fourth album. But in the end, only 4 songs came out. John Wood noticed that the singer's playing and performance had deteriorated dramatically.

But even with the feedback, Nick was happy to be back. His mother later recalled how happy and inspired her son was. Another song Drake recordedin July. She was the last song in his life.

In October 1974, Nick Drake went to France, where he lived for several months on an abandoned farm.

Death of a musician

November 25, 1974 Nick Drake died of an overdose of an antidepressant. All this happened in the home of the British singer.

According to pathologists, death occurred at 6 o'clock in the morning. There were no suicide notes and nothing that could contain the meaning of suicide. But the doctors concluded that it was a deliberate overdose of the drug.

Nick's family was extremely surprised and dumbfounded by this conclusion. Everyone unanimously stated that he could not have committed suicide.

December 2, 1974, he was buried under an oak tree in a cemetery near the church. About 50 people attended the funeral.

Songs in movie soundtracks

• Songs Black Eyed Dog, Northern Sky were released in 1998, later used as soundtracks for the movie Intuition. This event happened in 2001.
• The Pied Piper released in 1999 contained the song Cello Song.
• Songs from the Pink Moon album were featured in the movie Driving Lessons, which premiered in 2006.
• In the famous film "The Lake House", which gained its popularity in 2006, Nick Drake's composition Time Has Told Me sounded.
• La Belle Personne, released in 2008, featured the following songs from Nick's repertoire: Way To Blue, Northern Sky, Fly, Day Is Done.
• Fly's composition was remembered in the movie "The Tenenbaums", released in 2001.
• The songs From The Morning, Which Will were featured in the 2009 film Phantom Pain.
• The popular composition One Of These Things First was featured in two highly rated films at once: Gardenland (2004) and Seven Lives (2008).
• The Bag Man, which was released in 2014, featured Nick's Day is Done.