It’s been several years since I was first introduced to Nick Drake’s music by a good friend of mine. The music offered an instant appeal to me; with Nick’s intricate finger-picking style drawing me nearer. Since living in the USA there have been many times I’ve dropped Five Leaves Left or Pink Moon into the CD player and drifted away to thoughts of the Warwickshire countryside, the place I spent growing up.
Returning to England from the USA I felt the desire to pay my respects to a talented musician whose life was sadly cut short on the night of November 24th 1974 at the tender age of twenty-six.
We quietly walked through the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene to find Nick buried beneath a beech tree, his gravestone weather battered, but with fresh flowers at its base. I stood silently for a few moments and then turned to admire the view of the Warwickshire hills and meadows painted a brilliant spring yellow. The final resting place of Nick Drake seems fitting for such a talented and wonderful musician.
Who was Nick Drake?
Nicholas Rodney Drake was born in Rangoon, Burma on June 19th, 1948 to Rodney and Molly Drake. It was Nick’s father’s occupation as an engineer which saw them move from Burma to India and then eventually back to England in 1951.
The family settled in the county of Warwickshire, within the quaint and sleepy one bus a day village of Tanworth-In-Arden, complete with small post office, country pub, unhurried pace, Georgian cottages, village square and war memorial adorning it’s center.
Born into a musical upper middle class background, Nick learned to play the piano quickly and easily. Nick also taught himself to play the guitar with his own style within months, going on to compose music soon after.
Having attended boarding school and being described as a talented athlete, it was years later he was discovered musically at a live appearance by Fairport Convention bass player Ashley Hutchings, who was blown away by his talent. Ashley went on to introduce Nick to Joe Boyd the producer.
This prompted Nick to drop out of University at twenty to sign a record contract with Boyd and Island records.
His debut album “Five Leaves Left” named as such after the Rizla paper warning informing of the packet nearing its end, met with a muted response failing to ignite the charts. After his second album, “Bryter Later” also failed to impress, Nick’s producer and friend Joe Boyd left England for a career in America.
With Joe leaving England combined with the lack of commercial success, Nick started to show the early stages of a depression which would ultimately end his career
Last shot for fame
On the release of Nick’s third album, “Pink Moon” yet again there were no signs of the success that Nick so craved. This set about the dramatic change to his disposition. Producers, photographers and friends all noticed the change with Nick becoming very remote, withdrawn and often seemingly unable to play guitar or sing.
Nick’s family became increasingly concerned for him and finally sought professional help which led to Nick being prescribed anti-depressants to help with his moods.
It wasn’t to help though as in the end the tragic news came marking an end to his career and life – Nick was found dead at the family home on November 25th 1974. The coroner’s verdict was one of suicide, but to this day the family believe his death was a tragic accident, the result of an overdose from the anti-depressants Nick took.
One of his last songs “Black Eyed Dog” had hints from Nick about the depression which had all but consumed him in the last months leading up to his death. Fans now believe this to be prophetic of his death.
The career Nick deserved
Over thirty years since his death, the church where Nick was buried has become a pilgrimage for adoring fans. Tributes have been held there to honor his life and music.
Nick’s list of fans are growing all the time with artists such as REM and Elton John making the list along with Hollywood actor Brad Pitt who agreed to voice a radio documentary about Nick’s life and music.
Nick’s popularity as a collectable artist is also gaining tremendous ground with records now selling for over £150.
Sadly in life Nick didn’t gain the fame he so hoped for, but at least in death his legacy continues with thousands of new fans finding his music and enjoying it every year.
Take a look at the video below to listen to one of the last tracks recorded by Nick which contains the lyric ”now we rise and we are everywhere”. These two lines can be found etched on the back of Nick’s gravestone, Tanworth-In-Arden, Warwickshire.
Take a listen to more of Nick’s music here.
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