Nick Drake's first concert at The Roundhouse Theatre, Camden

During his 26-year short life Nick Drake recorded some of the most influential music ever to come from the British folk-rock scene. He's well known now but when he died in 1974 he knew little recognition, happiness, record sales or income. He made three impressive albums thanks to being spotted at his first real gig at The Roundhouse Theatre in Camden in London. Here I am stood outside it.

While attending Cambridge University Nick was inspired by Bob Dylan to take up the guitar. With had big broad hands and a trance-like concentration he mastered the six-string instrument within a few months. In London he did a few performances in front a small crowds before friends helped arrange his first live proper gig before an audience of about 500 here at the Roundhouse where I'm stood. A few acts were performing over five days from 20th to 24th December in 1967. The event - called ‘Circus Alpha Centauri’ - was in aid of the Roundhouses’s arts centre. I read Nick played for about fifteen minutes.

Intensely shy and withdrawn Nick wasn't a natural performer. At the Roundhouse gig he performed awkwardly in a trance mode. One of the bands playing that night was Fairport Convention and the bass player Ashley Hutchings noticed a boyish man in full control of the guitar. He said “He looked like a star. He seemed to be seven feet tall.” He immediately contacted record producer Joe Boyd and a music career was born.

Nicked signed to Island Records when he was just 20 years old. He went onto write three albums before his death. Nowadays all manner of musicians state him as an influence but there was barely a mention of his death in the media when he died. He overdosed at his parent's home after swallowing 30 pills prescribed for depression. Nobody know if it was intentional.

I was in London on a coach tour and we'd been dropped off at Camden for a few hours. I had to go and have a look at the Roundhouse. What a shame it took thirty years for his song to become popular. I did a salute and left.

To see the grave where Nick's ashes were interred please click here:- http://johnhalley.uk/Grave%20-%20Nick%20Drake.htm

Nick's bedroom where he died...

In latter days...