Nick Daniel - Biography

I was born in York, England. My first musical memories were that of the Beatles 'Please Please Me' on an old reel to reel tape recorder belonging to my parents. I liked it...

 

In the 70's, as a wee bairn, I remember loving the glam thing - Slade, Sweet, Bowie, Mott the Hoople, Suzy Q, Mud and Gary Glitter. Missed Marc Bolan for some reason, which was a shame as he was quite good, really!

 

Bought my 1st LP when I was 9 - Queen II. I had heard Seven Seas of Rhye on the radio and absolutely loved it, so I saved all my pocket money up and bought it (for around 3 pounds I seem to remember). I got it home and gently eased it onto the turntable and like a ten ton sledge-hammer Ogre Battle ripped the place apart. I still rank Queen II as one of my favourite albums ever...

 

After Queen I had a brief romance with Abba (puberty and all that) and then it was onto Deep Purple, Rainbow, Yes, Led Zeppelin and Jean Michel Jarre. Late 70's NWOBHM came along and I went with it. Trying (but failing) to avoid the 'uncool' bands like Adam and the Ants, Duran Duran and Frankie Goes to Hollywood!..

 

Missed Punk at the time. At school it was either Metal or Punk…NOT both!! Got into it a bit later when retracing my musical heritage. Love it now – have to say it had to happen to wipe the slate clean and start afresh.

 

I started my 1st job after college and thought 'God, there must be more to life than this'! I quickly joined my 1st band and played in some pubs, then my second and played in some more pubs!

 

Like a breath of fresh air Alternative music crashed in and gave rise to many great bands and influences - New Model Army, Cure, Psychedelic Furs, Comsat Angels, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus and Spear of Destiny to name a few.

 

Couldn’t help lending an ear to the folky side of things too – loved the Bothy Band.

 

Carried on soldiering away in bands - from Metal bands to Funky bands to Folk bands to Alternative bands - played many more pubs!..

 

Carried on writing music - can't stop really - it's in the blood!..

 

I guess I just want to make a living out of the thing that I enjoy so much - creating music...

 

Elevate is the most ambitious project I have created. All music, words and melodies were created, played, sung, recorded and mixed by myself - with the exception of 'The Contributors' listed on the main page. It really was an honour and privilege to work with some of my all time heroes on Elevate - Bernie Torme, Rob Bendelow, Anvil, Carl Dixon, Dave Hill, Barrie Jackson, Veronica Freeman, David Reece ... I thank you all ....

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Nick