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Dropped, Stiffed, & Curtis Stiger-ed - The Fall and Rise of Nick Lowe | Rock 'N' Roll Mysteries #80

Rock 'N' Roll Mysteries

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They called him 'basher', but in truth his songs are some of the wittiest and most delicate of his era. Nick Lowe was the man who manifested punk in Britain, and yet his own style was far more refined. He hit rock bottom, and then came the renaissance.

Well, it's time to kick back, relax and get deep into another strange and mysterious musical life in this full-length music documentary.

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20 Comments

@ArchambaultMark 3 weeks ago

I am a pastor. Once in a while people ask me why I keep a 45 single of Cruel To Be Kind in my desk drawer at church. It sits on top, always on top. It reminds me of the pure joy of hearing it on WLS Radio from Chicago. I would sing every word as it played on my transistor radio through one ear piece while riding the lawn mower on our farm and dream. It is, to this day, a perfectly constructed pop single.

@mareli9211 3 weeks ago

So glad to see this. In 1985 I was a cocktail waitress in a venue in DC. We were told not to bother the artists but when Nick came to play, I thought, Try and stop me. I approached him and got his autograph. I’m so glad I got to see him with Los Straitjackets years later for a Christmas show. He is a magnificent songwriter and this vid is a welcome catch-up.

@ValerieFelitto-r9k 4 weeks ago

I still have a massive crush on Nick. The man could play, sing, and produce great records for others. But the songwriting--lilting, longing, and so wonderfully witty. Did I mention he was outrageously sexy?
I worked at Max's Kansas City during its last year. Then just existing on its glorious past. One night Nick comes in. Alone..(Rockpile was in town. Great show i saw 3 times.). So Nick stops to check out Max's Great juke box. No one recognized him but me. I thought long and hard. Then he had been with Carlene Carter. Sadly I knew i should stay in my lane..i told my boss Nick was there. Every one surrounded him and took him upstairs where the live music was. Bye Nick.
He's a great musician. Great humor and sorrow in his music. Often at the same time.
Cheers❤❤ loved this episode boys.

@dianeshaw1145 3 weeks ago

I saw Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets perform live a couple of months ago. He’s really the essence of cool, and I’m so glad he’s still sharing his music live with his fans.

@arthurmclaughlin2179 3 weeks ago

I've been a fan of Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds since the late 70s. Saw Rockpile twice.Great musicians

@seanoleary3551 3 weeks ago

This is really quite a quality rock documentary.

@DINs365 3 weeks ago

I bought a Rickenbacker bass from Nick back in the mid 70s, it was advertised in Melody Maker and I'd travelled down to London from the North East by train. When I got to the flat there was nobody in but outside were a couple of guys who'd driven down from Manchester for the same guitar. When Nick turned up we were at deadlock so in the end we drew straws (I was lucky enough to win). Nice guy, great to hear he's going strong. Wish I still had that guitar!

@KingfisherTalkingPictures 13 days ago

As a young man, just learning about alternative and new wave music, when my favorite radio station, KQAK, was going off the air to move over to live 105 in San Francisco, Their final song was Nick Lowe’s “and so it goes.” It’s always been a sort of anthem to me. I later came across his more adult albums as an older man, and as you said, he became a sort of patron saint for me. Somebody who has taught me how to live as an older person.

@PeterMarcos-ng7rm 3 weeks ago

Nick lived in Marin County for awhile. Played in Sweetwater and various clubs, bars uf my memory serves me well. He's 77 im 73 happy he's still rolling.

@mawlakewlz 3 weeks ago

The thoughtfulness and writing of this channel is really on a different level, too good for YouTube.

@mayhem492 3 weeks ago

Those last batch of albums are phenomenal. Nick’s songwriting, voice, arrangements, intelligence and humour make each one an understated masterpiece.

@talesfromtinpanalley-thedo6198 3 weeks ago (edited)

i first saw Nick Lowe with Rockpile at London's Roundhouse when his future biographer, Will Birch, supported him as the drummer and co-songwriter in the fabulously tuneful group, The Records, who, in turn, were supported by Charles Shaar Murray's group Blast Furnace (& The Heatwaves). CSM had of course also written about Nick over the years in NME. Next-up was Elvis Costello & The Attractions at Edinburgh's Tiffany Ballroom..Nick took up the bass playing duties while Bruce Thomas was briefly absent. This was the blistering This Year's Model tour.

Nick's music became the soundtrack to my whole life. I've lost count how many times I've seen him. In 2009, unwittingly, i got to know a woman who Nick had written songs about in the early to mid 1970's. We've been partners 'Living Apart Together' ever since. She remains friends with Nick who waves at her from the stage whenever he plays. She's always there in the front row. Will Birch I got to know in 2005 and we've remained gigging and bantering buddies ever since. Not least at Elvis's Royal Albert Hall show earlier this year.

Your aural testaments are simply captivating, Always accurate and deftly described, displaying the type of wit and wisdom that features too across Nick's 17 album catalogue, which you define here so well. I remain in anticipation of your next chapter to be issued here on youtube.

@revon0521 6 days ago

I look forward to the Xmas holidays just so I can play Nick’s “Christmas at the Airport” to all my traveling friends and family. It’s a quiet, quirky, lovely little jewel just right for the season. Thank you for your beautiful rendering of a remarkable writer, producer, and performer.

@Boneyard24 3 weeks ago

"I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll",...

@NickRatnieks 3 weeks ago

Nick Lowe and Bill Kirchen now look so similar you would think they were brothers. Brothers in the groove.

@Toffeelady9 3 weeks ago

I loved Nick Lowe & Dave Edmunds. My favourite group was Thin Lizzy saw them so many times. I remember Phil doing an interview on what was then Piccadilly Radio and saying I love the sound of breaking glass, was one of his favourite records. I’m 64 now and that’s always stuck in my mind.

@troygaspard6732 3 weeks ago

I have seen Nick several times. He can get up by himself on stage and hold the audience with just his voice, guitar and a treasure trove of remarkable songs.

@robranney-blake8731 2 weeks ago

A favorite song from this life-long favorite musician is “I Live On A Battlefield”. Some years ago, three different acts covered it at the Green River Festival. He played it at a 2008 show in Massachusetts, solo with an acoustic guitar. More recently he toured with Elvis Costello. Fun shows every time.

@haroldbrooks9821 3 weeks ago

The check owes a lot to Dolly Parton. That soundtrack sold so much because of Whitney Houston's cover of Dolly's "I Will Always Love You."

@PaisleyPatchouli 3 weeks ago (edited)

"Cracking Up", "36 Inches High", "Big Kick, Plain Scrap" are a few of my favorite Nick Lowe tunes. The production is immaculate. Been listening to him since the 70s; he got on my radar as producer to Elvis Costello's first five albums!. I'm so glad to hear that he made a $$ bundle off "What's So Funny..." from a film soundtrack. Brilliant! Also glad to hear that he's still able to tour and enjoy gigging at close to age 80. He deserves it!