'This is the book we've been waiting for . . . It is a biography to be treasured' Joe Boyd
'The Drake completist could ask for nothing else' Telegraph
'Illuminating. The definitive word on Drake' Observer
In 1968 Nick Drake had everything to live for. The product of a loving, creative family and a privileged background, he was not only a handsome and popular Cambridge undergraduate, but also a new signing to the UK's hippest record label, Island.
Three years later, however - having made three well-reviewed but low-selling albums - Nick had been overwhelmed by a mysterious mental illness. He returned to live in his family home in rural Warwickshire in 1971, and died in obscurity in 1974, aged just 26.
In the decades since, Nick has become the subject of ever-growing fascination and speculation. Combined sales of his records now stand in the millions, his songs are frequently heard on TV and in films, and he has become one of the most widely known and admired singer-songwriters of his generation.
Nick Drake: The Life is the only biography of Nick to be written with the blessing and involvement of his sister and Estate. Drawing on copious original research and new interviews with his family, friends and musical collaborators, as well as deeply personal archive material unavailable to previous writers - including his father's diaries, his essays and private correspondence - this is the most comprehensive and authoritative account possible of Nick's short and enigmatic life.
Includes a foreword by Gabrielle Drake and over 75 photos, many rare or previously unseen.

NICK DRAKE : the authorised biography

JOHN MURRAY PUBLISHERS LT

Hodder & Stoughton

Hodder Paperback

Sceptre

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

S.l, 2022

In 1968, The 19 Year-old Nick Drake Had Everything To Live For. The Product Of A Loving, Creative Family And A Privileged Background, He Was Not Only A Handsome And Popular Cambridge Undergraduate, But Also A New Signing To The Uk's Hippest Record Label, Island. Three Years Later, However - Having Made Three Well-reviewed But Low-selling Albums - He Had Been Overwhelmed By A Mysterious Mental Illness. Based Back In His Family Home In Rural Warwickshire As Of 1971, He Largely Withdrew From Life And Died In Obscurity And Despair In 1974. In The Decades Since He Has Become The Subject Of Ever-growing Fascination And Speculation. Combined Sales Of His Records Now Stand In The Millions, His Songs Are Frequently Heard On Tv And In Films, And It Is No Exaggeration To Call Him One Of The Most Widely Known And Best Loved Singer-songwriters Of His Generation. Nick Drake: The Authorised Biography Will Be The Only Life Of Nick To Be Written With The Approval And Involvement Of His Estate. Drawing On Copious Original Research, New Interviews With Close Family Friends, Schoolfellows And Musical Contemporaries And Collaborators, As Well As Deeply Personal Archive Material Unavailable To Previous Biographers - Including His Father's Diaries, His Cambridge Essays And Letters Home From School, University And Elsewhere - This Book Is The Most Comprehensive And Authoritative Account Possible Of This Beloved Figure's Short And Enigmatic Life.

The full life of one of the greatest singer-songwriters of the twentieth century, with a Foreword by his sister Gabrielle Drake.

2023-06-26