Music Diary – 25th November

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 25th November!

Nicholas Rodney „Nick“ Drake (19th June 1948 – 25th November 1974)

On the 25th November 1974 the British singer and songwriter Nick Drake died in his sleep at the age of only 26 years. In his very short career he recorded the three albums „Five Leaves Left“ (1969), „Bryter Layter“ and „Pink Moon“ (both 1972). Although all of them didn’t succeed and sold very badly, these recordings became legendary milestones. Nick Drake suffered from depression and on the 25th November 1972 he died from an overdose of amitriptyline. It was never resolved if it was an accident or suicide.

The automobile concern Volkswagen featured Drake’s song „Pink Moon“ in a TV spot in 2000. After that, all recordings by Nick Drake sold more than in the previous thirty years.

Many artists name Nick Drake as a big influence – like Robert Smith (The Cure), Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Paul Weller (The Jam and The Style Council), Beck and also The Black Crowes – just to name a few.

                                              

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Music Diary – 27th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 27th October!

Lou Reed (2nd March 1942 – 27th October 2013)

On the 27th October 2013, Lou Reed passed at the age of 71. In May of the same year he underwent a  liver transplantation and it seems that Lou should recover. But five months later he died from liver disease.

Lewis Allan „Lou“ Reed was born on 2nd March 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. He was an autodidact and learned playing the guitar from the radio. In early years he was already interested in Rock’n’Roll, Ryhthm and Blues and also Jazz. In 1960 he started to study journalism, film directing and creative writing at Syracuse University (New York). Four years later he graduated with honors with a B.A.

In the same year he met the musicians John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker and they formed the band The Velvet Underground. Artist Andy Warhol crossed their paths shortly after the group has been founded and he suggested to add the female singer Nico into the line up. Warhol also helped Velvet Underground to get a record contract with MGM’s Verve Records.

On the 12th March 1967 the legendary debut album „The Velvet Underground & Nico“ featuring the banana artwork by Andy Warhol was released. The LP reached only No. 171 on the US charts but is still considered as one of the most important albums of all time. Almost all eleven songs became rock classics like „I’m waiting for the Man„, „Venus in Furs„, „All Tomorrow’s Parties“ or „Heroin„.

After the recording sessions Nico left the band and concentrated on her solo career. In 1968 the second Velvet Underground LP „White Light/White Heat“ (with the classic tracks „Sweet Jane“ and „Rock & Roll„) hit the shops. In March 1969 the self-titled album followed and after „Loaded“ (1970) Lou Reed left the band and started working as a solo artist. His biggest commercial success followed in 1972 with the album „Transformer“ and the hit „Walk on the Wild Side„.

Lou Reed recorded 21 studio albums until 2007. On 12th April he married Laurie Anderson and in 2011 he worked with Metallica for his last work „Lulu„.

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