Nick Drake

Often considered the best folk rock artist of this time, none of Nick Drake's album ever sold more than 5000 copies during his lifetime. The singer/songwriter is often associated with an acoustic, mellow sound. He is credited by many current musicians as a huge influence in their work by artists such as Elliott Smith, Lucinda Williams, Badly Drawn Boy, Lou Barlow and many more.

(1948-1974) Folk musician born in Burma but lived most of his life in Tanworth-in-Arden, England. Attended Marlborough Boarding School and Cambridge college before dropping out to pursue a career in music after being signed by Island Records. Drawing on a wide variety of influences, from classical music to music of the day such as Bob Dylan, Drake created a style of music that was both of the folk genre and was reminiscent of music from the first half of the 20th century. His first two albums, Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter, are considered to be excellent albums in many circles. With the orchestral backing Drake's fragile baritone delivery and delicate and yet intricate finger-picking chords, Drake shines. Throughout his career, Nick Drake only performed a handful of shows and began to resent performing following a bad experience. Disappointed with his album sales, Drake became even more reluctant to perform and began to suffer from bouts of depression, anxiety, and possibly social anxiety. Drake became withdrawn and was known to spend hours staring at walls or driving aimlessly. Many friends of the day remember speaking to him and his replies were nothing more than grunts. His final album, Pink Moon, was dropped off at Island Records by Nick Drake himself and sat on a desk in the office for a week. The album was released, and was much more bare (only guitar, vocals, and a single piano line in the bridge of the title track), but still did not sell well. Drake then began to distance himself from music, spiraling further into depression. After a month-long stay in a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown, Drake began to put his life back together, getting a job involved with computers and even recording once again. His final session in Febuary 1974 yielded "Rider on the Wheel", "Voice from the Mountain", "Hanging on a Star" , and the haunting "Black-Eyed Dog". Drake continued on with his life until he died on November 25, 1974 at the age of 26 from an overdose of amitriptyline, a prescribed anti-depressant. Following his death, his presence remained low, until the 1980's when he was cited as influence by many musicians of the day. Since his song Pink Moon was featured in a Volkswagen commercial, Drake's albums sold more copies in a month than they ever did in his entire life. Since his death, Drake has been recognized and cited as a skilled musician who contributed much to the music of his day. Currently, he has received much more attention after Heath Ledger's death (in a similar manner), as Ledger cited Drake as one of his favorite artists.

Guitarist. Made mostly quiet, acustic music. Wasn't appriciated and became depressed. Killed himself (presumably) on November 25th, 1974. He released three albums: Five Leaves Left, Bryter Layter, and Pink Moon. I would give him 12 out of 10 stars.

Some lame 1960s boomer folk musician who made schlocky to above average (at generous) folk music in the late 60s and early 70s. All it is is self-indulgent crying and fake gloomy atmosphere.

Many indie kids and wannabe intellectuals think that this guy is legit, when he was nothing more than the first pretentious indie folk musician. Retarded when compared to real folk musicians with real emotion that went totally unsung in their time, like Blind Uncle Gaspard or Burnett and Rutherford.

Overrated and incredibly dull folk rock singer that hipsters just love.