Nick Drake (Nick Drake), British singer and songwriter: biography, albums

Nicholas Rodney Drake is a popular British singer of the early 1970s. He became famous for the performance of his own compositions for an acoustic guitar, which brought to the general performance of songs sad notes and enveloped in mysticism. The beautiful and underrated artist Nick Drake, whose biography is sad, will forever remain in the memory of fans of his talent.

Childhood years of the musician

Nick Drake was born in 1948, on June 19, in a well-to-do family, and from childhood 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 was at that time one of the most influential commercial organizations. Nick's mother, Mary Lloyd, was the daughter of one of the managers. Immediately after the acquaintance, his parents planned to play a wedding. But, according to family values, the traditions of the Mary family, this event took place only a year after the offer of the hand and heart. When she turned 21, young people were happy to get married.

They could not continue their stay in Burma because of the Japanese occupation of the country in those years. 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-born was born. It was a long-awaited girl, who was named Gabriel Drake. So the oldest sister of Nick Drake 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 Leys mansion in the village of Tanworth-In-Aden. This house after many years will be both the first and the last shelter in the life of a British singer.

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

School years of the singer

The Eagle House boarding school in Berkshire opened its doors to Nick in 1957. In this institution, he disappeared for five years, after successfully entered the college. Nick made serious hopes in the sport. This is evidenced by his record in the 100 yard run, which to this day could not be overcome by any disciple of Marlborough. At some point he even took part in a rugby game, where he was appointed captain of the team. In parallel, Nick Drake participated in the college orchestra, where he played the clarinet and saxophone.

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

Studying musician began to take positions. He was immersed in music, art, his own band and songs, so his academic knowledge was at a low level. He crashed the next exams in chemistry and physics, but even after that the British singer did not stop singing. In 1965, Nick purchased his own acoustic guitar, which later became the main musical assistant and associate. With it, he traveled and attended concerts of some famous British performers.

University years

After successfully passed examinations in college Nick Drake entered the college "Fitzwilliam" at Cambridge University, the faculty for the study of English literature. All these events developed in 1966. However, to start studying in such a prestigious institution, the British singer did not hurry. That's why I took an academic vacation for living in France. There he lived with friends from August to October 1966.

After returning to England in October, he first tried to smoke a jamb of marijuana, it happened in London. After that, he again returned to France in search of more serious narcotic drugs, but eventually went to Morocco for the best grass in the world.

Return of the singer

When Nick Drake returned home, he began to live with his sister. Her apartment was located in the suburbs of London - Hampsteade. In October, I began my studies in Cambridge. The teaching staff immediately noted that Nick Drake is a bright and charismatic character who does not show much interest in studying, but has excellent basic training. We can say that the British singer was interested in sports. Since this particular lesson in Cambridge was given special attention. But after a while even physical self-training began to be replaced by smoking marijuana and playing the guitar. All this Nick did with friends in the room of the Cambridge hostel. Therefore, with each week of training, it was increasingly difficult for him to find a common language with students and teachers.

The first steps in a career

The initial sites for public appearances of Nick Drake were coffee houses, pubs and small cafes in London. By a lucky coincidence and at the same time through a painstaking creative process, Nick was honored to meet one of the most famous producers of the time - Joe Boyd. This man opened the world's most popular rock, punk, folk, country bands and singers.

Nick - the author of songs, which he himself performed. In 1968, after Boyd's proposal, they jointly recorded four songs. Later, after listening to all the hits Drake, Joe invited him to sign a contract to continue to release the debut album Five leaves left. According to Joe's memories, Nick did not show much surprise, admiration or awe in front of him, but simply and calmly replied: "Okay, do not question." So do it! "

But Nick's close friend Paul Wheeler remembers how inspired Drake was, how he was enjoying the first successes on the stellar Olympus and was extremely encouraged by the career prospects of the popular British singer. After this event, he even decided to abandon his studies in Cambridge, and not finish the third year there.

History of the debut album

Initially, the album was given quite difficult, because the British singer had the imprudence to call on his recording of musicians who played in completely different collectives. Each of them was an indisputable authority in his environment. But not even these moments were the main reason for the discord, where the songwriter and producer for a long time could not find a common language. The primary reason was that the album itself was recorded during breaks between recording albums of other, more popular and successful performers of the time. Numerous permutations between invited musicians for recording arrangements also could not positively influence the course of work. In the end, after much effort and trouble, the debut album was released in 1969, September 1.

The failure of the album

A negative role in the fate of the album was played by:

1. Numerous changes of musicians.
2. Delayed release of the album for several months.
3. Bad advertising.
4. Boring promotion.

All these moments could not have a positive effect on the quality of reviews and reviews on the debut album of Nick Drake. Decoration of the plate left much 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 outcome of his long-awaited work with his own sister. He was always a secretive guy, he did not talk about his plans, his feelings and emotions were restrained. Gabriel tells us that Nick came into her room, threw his debut album on the bed with the words: "Here it is!" - Then immediately retired.

The album was given special attention. It seemed that it had a subtext. Everyone thought that "There were five leaves" said that it was time to buy a new cigarette paper. And it's no secret to anyone that then marijuana was spun into it. Nick himself was pleased with the name, but did not bring any special meaning. And only after five years, 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 acted as the opening act for one popular group at the Royal Festival Hall. He immediately bewitched the audience with his original performance, perhaps this speech was the best Drake.

Life in London

As for learning, Drake did not have much desire to continue on this path. Already in the autumn of 1969 he left Cambridge College and went to London. According to Nick, study distracted him from art and the process of creative realization. Therefore, he made such a decision. The father was extremely dissatisfied with the circumstances and so reckless decision of the son. He believed that the diploma of higher education is an additional insurance for all cases of life. Not giving in to the persuasions of his father, Nick believed that he did not need such insurance, he could do without it.

The first months in London, Nick did not find a place, always spending the night with friends or in his sister's apartment.

By 1970, Nick Drake began to perform with an enviable regularity. He believed that speaking once a week is good. Nick opened the speeches of many popular bands, acted on opening, which did not bother him at all.

In July 1970, Sir Elton John himself recorded a cover version of Drake's 4 hits. It was unusual and surprising. They can be heard in John's 2001 album, Prologue.

The second album, called Bryter layter, was recorded in mid-July 1970. To record it, Nick again asked the famous musicians to collaborate with him. A painstaking work was carried out, which brought its fruits. It's hard to say that the result of the recording was negative, it's easier to state the fact of commercial unrealization 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 almost despaired. He did not have the desire and strength to speak, he was embarrassed by the public. Drake had complexes after Boyd's departure for Los Angeles. Nick lost a weighty figure in his life. Boyd was a mentor for him, Drake was depressed. His entire optimistic attitude from working in London was fiasco, he became miserable and gloomy.

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

Already in 1971, Nick's family, noticing the dramatic changes in the mental state of Drake, turned to the clinic, where after the examinations he was prescribed an impressive dose of antidepressants. The singer worried about his reputation and could not bear the fact of his being in the clinic for a general review. Even his close friends did not all know about this. Nick reacted painfully to any questions about the mental state. All these changes were given to him with difficulty. He was so depressed that he was embarrassed to take pills.

The last album in the life of the singer

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

But still Nick Drake had the courage to contact John Wood to record the record, which later will be the last in his career and life. The whole process was monotonous. He came to the studio with a guitar. I spent only two nights on the recording, for a total of 4 hours. During the conversations on souls, Drake and Wood shared many events from their lives. Nick told about the deep depression, he shared with John these dark thoughts. 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 some flattering reviews from critics. Despite the fact that the Pink moon had less commercial selling than the previous two albums, he was remembered in the creative circles as the best. There were suggestions to rewrite the album in a new arrangement, Nick simply did not consider it necessary to do this. Producers literally tore hair on their heads, why is he so stubborn and indifferent?

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

Nick's attempts to create

In 1972, Nick returned to his home. He understood that this was a step backwards. In May, he suffered a nervous breakdown. He was sent to a hospital in Vorvikshire for treatment.

After 2 years, Nick called John Wood. He said he decided to record the fourth album. But in the end it turned out only 4 songs. John Wood noticed that the performance and performance of the singer deteriorated sharply.

But even despite such a response, Nick was happy to return. His mother later recalled how happy and enthusiastic her son was. Another song Drake recorded in July. She was the last song in his life.

In October 1974, Nick Drake traveled to France, where he spent several months on an abandoned farm.

Death of a musician

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

According to pathologists, death occurred at 6 am. There were no suicide notes and nothing that could contain the meaning of suicide. But doctors have concluded that this is a deliberate overdose of the drug.

In such a conclusion, Nika's family was extremely surprised and dumbfounded. All in one voice argued that he could not commit suicide.

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

Songs in movie soundtracks

• The songs Black Eyed Dog, Northern Sky came out in 1998, later used as soundtracks for the film "Intuition". This event occurred in 2001.
• The film "Pied Piper," which was released in 1999, contained the song Cello Song.
• Songs from the album Pink Moon sounded in the movie "Driving Lessons," which premiered in 2006.
• In the famous film "House by the Lake", which gained its popularity in 2006, the song of Nick Drake's Time Has Told Me sounded.
• The painting La Belle Personne, which was released in 2008, contained the following songs from the repertoire of Nick: Way To Blue, Northern Sky, Fly, Day Is Done.
• The composition Fly remembered in the film "The Family Tenenbaum", released in 2001.
• Songs from The The Morning, Which Will were known in the film "Phantom Pain" in 2009.
• Popular song One Of These Things First sounded immediately in two films with a high rating: "Country of Gardens" (2004) and "Seven Lives" (2008).
• The Bag Man, which was released in 2014, contained the song Nick Day is Done.