Nick Drake: The Biography

by Patrick Humphries

Book Overview

Nick Drake was barely 26 years old when he died in 1974 following an accidental overdose of prescribed drugs. The British singer-songwriter made only three albums during his short life - Five Leaves... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582340358
• ISBN13: 9781582340357
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Hanging On A Star

With this Book Patrick Humphries has given Nick Drake the Biography he has always deserved. Nick was just 26 years old when he died of an overdose of prescribed drugs in 1974, no one really knows wether it was an accident or not. One thing is certain though is that Nick Drake was one of the most talented musicians to have ever lived. The biography is brilliant please read it.

realistic,eye-opening account

this is a great modern tragedy made all the more sobering by its gritty reality.its the story of the genius and the time that he lived.a thorough account of the english folk scene(fairport,mike chapman etc)all revolve around this story of a man who was a great inspiration to many of us.drake`s music and life still inspire my generation(i was born in `76!)with it`s eternally modern themes and emotion`s fueled by it`s gritty,touching realism.a book worthy of standing by the song`s.a great effort considering many people refused(why?)to be interviewed by the author,nevertheless an eye opening account.

Masterley!

Drake's life and music are carefully represented in Humphries' book. To Humphries' credit, he resisted the strong temptation to give a lopsided and over-romanticised account of Drake's life, instead relying on meticulous research based on interviews with contempories, friends and family. Two factors come through quite strongly in this book; the power and beauty of Drake's music, and the extent to which his tragic demise was such a harrowing and drawn-out affair. Well done Patrick! I take exception to one point however. The song Saturday Sun on Five Leaves Left is described as a filler, "unsuccessful jazz meanderings". Wrong Patrick, this is one of Drake's most beautiful songs, certainly my favourite!

A Man too gentle for us mere mortals.

Nick Drake and his music are moments that come around once in a lifetime.Humpheries book takes us on a journey that undertakes a direction of detection. It begs the question we all want to know: What are the origins of the depression that eventually took out this gentle genius.How did his pain help/hinder the creative paths of his music? The book is very thorough and well researched and a must read by all lovers of Nick Drake.

t h e p i n k m o o n i s o n i t s w a y

I wish Nick had lived to see the following he has today. I think he was one of the greatest musicians of all time, and I think the book pays tribute to the man he was. This book captures what Nick was, and I think it is one of the best biographies ever written. I heard Nicks' music a long time ago, and I learned a lot about him, but there was so much more I wanted to know, and this book tells everything. I read the book in one sitting and when I was done I couldn't stop thinking about him. I have always loved Nick, but after reading the book, I see that there is much more to him than I ever thought. I wish there were more books on Nick. I think most people would love his music, and love reading about him. I gave the book five stars. It is a classic.