Lost Boy: In Search of Nick Drake

Hollywood film star Brad Pitt tells the story of cult singer-songwriter Nick Drake, who died over 40 years ago, virtually unknown.

Born June 1948, to mark what would have been his 70th birthday, BBC Radio 2 has announced that Nick Drake will be inducted to its Folk Hall of Fame. The honour will be bestowed at the Radio 2 Folk Awards this evening, at Belfast Waterfront.

To reflect the award and his continuing contribution to the musical landscape of the UK and beyond, Radio 2 is repeating Brad Pitt’s 2004 documentary, shining a light on the life and work of Nick Drake.

During his lifetime, Nick’s three albums (Five Leaves Left, Bryter Layter and Pink Moon) sold a few thousand copies; he played a handful of concerts and gave just one press interview. But in the years since his death, his status as a cult artist has grown and grown. He is regularly name-checked by contemporary artists – REM, Radiohead, Paul Weller, Badly Drawn Boy, and in 2000, one of Nick’s tracks Pink Moon was used in a car advertising campaign aired across America, making a new generation of fans aware of his music.

When Nick died in November 1974 of an overdose of anti-depressants, it was thought that his final recording sessions had yielded four songs intended for a projected new album. But when the original tapes were being re-mastered, Nick’s recording engineer John Wood discovered another song from those sessions, which had been forgotten – Tow The Line.

Norah Jones recorded one of Nick’s songs, Day Is Done, which will be featured in the programme. Also featured are interviews with producer Joe Boyd - legendary figure in English folk and rock music; engineer John Wood - who worked with Joe on a long list of key folk and rock recordings; Robert Kirby - Nick’s Cambridge friend and musical arranger; Nick’s sister - Gabrielle; and his late mother Molly Drake - who died in 1993. Also Ashley Hutchings of seminal folk/rock band Fairport Convention, and John Martyn, a musician who was a close friend of Nick’s and wrote the classic song Solid Air as a tribute.

• First broadcast in May 2004.
• Presenter: Brad Pitt
• Producer: Dave Barber for BBC Radio 2

Publicity contact: HD2