Nick Drake

Nick Drake (June 19, 1948 - November 25, 1974) was a folk musician whose work, though held in high esteem by critics and musicians, was generally ignored by the public until the song "Pink Moon" was featured in a Volkswagen car commercial.

Drake released only a few albums in his brief lifetime - Five Leaves Left (1969), Bryter Layter (1970), and Pink Moon (1972). He died in 1974, apparently the result of taking too many antidepressants, which he took to help him sleep. He had struggled throughout his life with sometimes overpowering depression.

Nick Drake has been an inspiration for contemporary musicans including Elliott Smith, REM guitarist Peter Buck[?] and Belle and Sebastian.