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Nick Drake: A Skin Too Few

"I always said that Nick was born with a skin too few", says actress Gabrielle about her brother, the English singer-songwriter Nick Drake (1948-1974). This documentary approaches the silent landscapes, locations, people and music in the life of this unorthodox loner. Nick Drake is one of rock’s most tragically romantic figures. He died when he was 26: an age that for many would be far too young to develop a talent, or realise an ambition or dream. It took 20 posthumous years for his music to gain recognition. One autumn morning in 1974, Nick’s parents were unable to wake him. Nick Drake died silently and unobtrusively, and to this day it's not clear whether his death was self-determined. The significance of his three albums was only discovered two decades later. Now his music is more popular than ever and appears in big film productions and television commercials. This late success is surprising and tragic, considering Nick Drake's tortured existence. Except for boarding school and university (Cambridge) he seldom left his parents' home. Contact with others became a tremendous effort. His sensitivity was the basis for this talent but at the same time made him unable to face an audience. Caught in this spiral, he became increasingly embittered by his lack of success and gradually isolated himself.

English
  • Originally Aired May 22, 2004
  • Runtime 60 minutes
  • Network BBC Four
  • Created September 1, 2011 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified September 1, 2011 by
    Administrator admin
Name Type Role
Paul Weller Guest Star
Brian Wells Guest Star
Gabrielle Drake Guest Star
Joe Boyd Guest Star
Robert Kirby Guest Star
John Wood Guest Star
Jeroen Berkvens Director