Died On This Date (November 25, 1974) Nick Drake / Influential English Singer-Songwriter

Nick Drake
June 19, 1948 – November 25, 1974

nickdrakeNick Drake was an English singer-songwriter who in spite of selling in the neighborhood of just 5000 copies of each of his albums when released, went on to become one of the most influential and respected artists of his generation.  Drake came to relative prominence during the British folk movement of the late ’60s and early ’70s.  Oft compared to the likes of Syd Barrett, Donovan and Van Morrison, Drake released just three albums between 1969 and 1972.  They barely registered a blip back then, and the fact that Drake resisted performing live or granting interviews did nothing to help them find their audience.  Suffering from depression and insomnia for much of his life, Drake let those demons populate his dark songs.  During Drake’s final month’s, he became very reclusive, avoiding friends and family.  Mental illness had obviously taken hold of Drake’s spirit.   On November 25, 1974, Nick Drake, 26, died of an overdose of antidepressants in his parents home.  Local officials ruled it a suicide, though many close to him and with him during his final days strongly believe it was an accidental overdose.  Interest in Drake’s music continued to grow throughout the ’80s and ’90s as popular artists like Lucinda Williams, Elliott Smith, REM’s Peter Buck, and Robert Smith and of the Cure began citing him as an influence.  His songs also began finding new fans from numerous film and TV placements, including the usage of “Pink Moon” in a popular Volkswagen commercial in 2000.

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Pink Moon (Remastered) - Nick Drake

 

Died On This Date (September 15, 2008) Rick Wright / Founding Member Of Pink Floyd

Richard Wright
July 28, 1943 – September 15, 2008

Rick Wright was a founding member of Pink Floyd.  His keyboards and vocals can be heard on such classic albums as The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, Wish You Were Here, Meddle, and Dark Side Of The Moon.  Helping form the band with Roger Waters, Syd Barrett and Nick Mason in 1965, Wright also contributed significantly as a songwriter and sang lead on a handful of the band’s early recordings.  He resigned from Pink Floyd during the recording of The Wall, but returned from time to time to work in the studio or on the road with the band, but more as a guest than a full member of the group.  Outside of Pink Floyd, Wright formed a short-lived band named Zee with whom he released one album, and recorded two solo albums.  None were able to ignite much of a career for him.  Rick Wright died of cancer at the age of 65.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Pink Floyd