Nick Lowe
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Key Information
Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in pub rock, power pop[1] and new wave,[2][3] Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with being a vocalist, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica.
He is best known for the songs "Cruel to Be Kind" (a US top 40 single) and "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" (a top 10 UK hit), as well as his production work with Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, and others. Lowe also wrote "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding", a hit for Costello[4] and "I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)", a hit for Rockpile bandmate Dave Edmunds.
Biography
[edit]Lowe attended the independent Woodbridge School in Suffolk.[5] He began his musical career in 1967, when he joined the band Kippington Lodge, along with his school friend Brinsley Schwarz. They released a few singles on the Parlophone record label as Kippington Lodge before they renamed the band Brinsley Schwarz in late 1969 and began performing country and blues-rock. The band were launched by their management company Famepushers Ltd with an appearance at New York's Fillmore East; a planeload of British journalists were flown over by Famepushers to witness the event, but the stunt backfired and Brinsley Schwarz became a laughing stock until they established credibility on the London pub rock circuit.[6] Lowe wrote some of his best-known compositions while a member of the band, including "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding", a hit for Elvis Costello in 1979; and "Cruel to Be Kind", also in 1979, Lowe's single and biggest worldwide hit, co-written with bandmate Ian Gomm.[7]
After leaving Brinsley Schwarz in 1975 Lowe began playing bass in Rockpile with Dave Edmunds. In August 1976, Lowe released "So It Goes" b/w "Heart of the City", the first single on the Stiff Records label, where he was an in-house producer.[7] The single and the label were initially funded by a loan of £400 from Dr. Feelgood's Lee Brilleaux. The label's first EP was Lowe's 1977 four-track release Bowi, apparently named in response to David Bowie's contemporaneous LP Low. The joke was repeated when Lowe produced the Rumour's album Max as an 'answer' to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. Lowe continued producing albums on Stiff and other labels, including The Damned's first album.[8] In 1977 he produced Dr. Feelgood's album, Be Seeing You, which included "That's It, I Quit", written by Lowe. Private Practice, issued the next year, included "Milk and Alcohol", written by Lowe and Gypie Mayo. This song and "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" are the only Lowe compositions to reach the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart.[9]
Because the two main singers in Rockpile had recording contracts with different record labels and managers, albums were always credited to either Lowe or Edmunds, so there is only one official Rockpile album, 1980's Seconds of Pleasure, which was not released until the waning days of the collaboration. Seconds of Pleasure featured the Lowe songs "When I Write the Book" and "Heart". However, two of the pair's most significant solo albums from the period, Lowe's Labour of Lust and Edmunds' Repeat When Necessary, were effectively Rockpile albums, as was Carlene Carter's Lowe-produced Musical Shapes album. Lowe's album Labour of Lust received a gold certification in Canada in November 1979.[10] "Cruel to Be Kind", drawn from that album, was Lowe's only international Top 40 hit, coincidentally reaching No. 12 in four separate territories: the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US (on Billboard Hot 100 chart) in 1979.[7] "Cruel To Be Kind", which was a new Rockpile re-recording of a previously issued Brinsley Schwarz outtake, also charted in the top 40 in Ireland and New Zealand.
In 1979, Lowe married country singer Carlene Carter, daughter of fellow country singers Carl Smith and June Carter Cash and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash.[11] He adopted her daughter, Tiffany Anastasia Lowe. The marriage ended in 1990, but they remained friends, and Lowe remained close to the Carter/Cash family. He played and recorded with Johnny Cash, and Cash recorded several of Lowe's songs. Lowe and Carter's 1979 wedding was filmed and the footage became the basis for the promotional video clip for "Cruel to Be Kind".
After the demise of Rockpile, Lowe toured for a period with his band Noise to Go and later with the Cowboy Outfit, which also included the noted keyboard player Paul Carrack. Lowe was also a member of the short-lived mainly studio project Little Village with John Hiatt, Ry Cooder and Jim Keltner, who originally got together to record Hiatt's 1987 album Bring the Family.[7]
In 1990 he wrote a song, "Who Was That Man?"[12] about a man who died in the King's Cross fire. In 1992 "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" was covered by Curtis Stigers on the soundtrack album to The Bodyguard, an album that sold about 44 million copies worldwide.[4]
A New York Daily News article[13] quoted Lowe as saying his greatest fear in recent years was "sticking with what you did when you were famous." "I didn't want to become one of those thinning-haired, jowly old geezers who still does the same shtick they did when they were young, slim and beautiful," he said. "That's revolting and rather tragic." Rock critic Jim Farber observed, "Lowe's recent albums, epitomised by the new At My Age, moved him out of the realms of ironic pop and animated rock and into the role of a worldly balladeer, specialising in grave vocals and graceful tunes. Lowe's four most recent solo albums mine the wealth of American roots music, drawing on vintage country, soul and R&B to create an elegant mix of his own."
Lowe was quoted as saying that he had "escaped from the tyranny of the snare drum" in No Depression, (September–October 2001) when explaining his move away from regular pop music that would get played on mainstream radio.[14]

In 2008, Yep Roc and Proper Records released a thirtieth anniversary edition of Lowe's first solo album, Jesus of Cool (entitled Pure Pop for Now People in the US, with a slightly different track listing). The re-issue includes tracks from the British and American releases in addition to several bonus tracks. In March 2009, he released a 49-track CD/DVD compilation of songs spanning his entire career. Proper Records released it in the UK and Europe, entitled Quiet Please... The New Best of Nick Lowe.
In September 2010 Yep Roc issued The Impossible Bird, Dig My Mood and The Convincer on vinyl for the first time, and after a one-night reunion concert with Elvis Costello in October in San Francisco,[15] Lowe embarked on his first non-solo United States tour "this millennium." His backing band consisted of Geraint Watkins (keyboards), Robert Treherne (drums), Johnny Scott (guitar) and Matt Radford (bass). In March 2011, Yep Roc reissued Lowe's 1979 solo album Labour of Lust.[16]
Lowe played Glastonbury 2011, performing a short solo set of Brinsley Schwarz tracks on The Spirit of 71 stage, where they played back in 1971, before heading to the Acoustic Stage for a full band show. On 29 October 2013, he released his first Christmas album, Quality Street, on Yep Roc Records.[17] He performed two songs from this album on 7 December taping of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me![citation needed]
In spring 2019 he embarked on tours, in both the US and UK, with American instrumental rock band Los Straitjackets.[18][19][20] In June 2019 Lowe played at the Glastonbury Festival.[21] In July 2024, he helped close out the Newport Folk Festival with Conan O'Brien.[22]
Personal life
[edit]Lowe has been married twice. His first marriage to country singer Carlene Carter lasted from 1979 to 1990. He married designer Peta Waddington in 2010. The couple have a son.[23][24]
Career history
[edit]
Songwriter
[edit]Lowe's best-known songs include his own hits:
- "So It Goes" – first song on the Stiff Records label
- "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" – his biggest UK hit
- "Cruel to Be Kind" – his biggest US hit
He also wrote songs most famous for their cover versions:
- "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" – famously covered by Elvis Costello
- "I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)" – a hit for Rockpile bandmate Dave Edmunds
- "The Beast in Me" – covered by stepfather-in-law Johnny Cash
Some songs were written or co-written for albums he produced:
- "Milk and Alcohol" and "That's It, I Quit" – Dr. Feelgood
- "(I Live on a) Battlefield" and "I Need You" – Paul Carrack
Lowe also wrote a number of songs with clever wordplay that qualify as "novelties", among them:
- "Bay City Rollers We Love You" – recorded as "Terry Modern" of "The Tartan Horde"
- "I Love My Label" – paean to the United Artists label, released on Stiff Records
- "Time Wounds All Heels" – co-written with Carlene Carter and Simon Climie
- "All Men Are Liars"
- "Half a Boy and Half a Man" – covered by George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Producer
[edit]This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (November 2023) |
Lowe's work as a producer is at least as notable as his work as a performer and songwriter. His early 'rough and ready' production style earned him the nickname "Basher", inspired by his supposed instructions to bands to 'bash it out—we'll tart it up later'. Beginning with his tenure at Stiff Records as an in-house producer in 1976, Lowe was responsible for producing some of the benchmark releases of punk and new wave, including the Damned's first single, "New Rose", considered the first English punk single, as well as the group's debut album, Damned Damned Damned.
Lowe also produced Elvis Costello's first five albums, from 1977 to 1981, including My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, and Armed Forces, which spun off numerous UK hit singles. Other Stiff acts produced by Lowe included punk parody group Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias, new wave singer Wreckless Eric and roots rocker Mickey Jupp.
Other clients (both before and after Lowe left Stiff in 1978) included the Pretenders (the 1978 debut single "Stop Your Sobbing", which was a modest UK and U.S. hit); Graham Parker (his well-received first and third albums); Dr. Feelgood (several LPs, and their biggest hit single, 1979's "Milk and Alcohol"); Johnny Cash (his 1980 single "Without Love", a minor hit on the U.S. and Canadian country charts); and his then-wife Carlene Carter (2 albums in 1980 and 1981).
From 1982 to 1985, he produced material for Paul Carrack, John Hiatt, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Men They Couldn't Hang. Beginning in the mid-1980s, Lowe became more selective in his choice of outside production tasks, helming the 1986 LP Blood & Chocolate for Elvis Costello, a 1988 single ("Windows of the World" b/w "1969") for the Pretenders, and the Katydids' self-titled debut album of 1990. After that, Lowe essentially retired from producing recordings for other acts, although the country-rock band the Mavericks persuaded him to produce one track for the Apollo 13 soundtrack in 1995.
Bands
[edit]Influence
[edit]In 2011, The New York Times claimed: "The 40-year career of the English singer-songwriter Nick Lowe constitutes a paradox: the songs he has written are better known than he is."[4] Alex Turner, of the Arctic Monkeys, described Lowe as one of his favourite lyricists.[26] In another interview, he said that he was "blown away" and sent "back to square one" by Lowe's songwriting.[27]
Wilco covered the Nick Lowe song "I Love My Label" as the B-side to "I Might" (2011) on their own dBpm label. Nick Lowe toured with Wilco for their album The Whole Love and would make guest appearances on his "Cruel to Be Kind" and (along with Mavis Staples) appeared onstage for a cover of the Band's song "The Weight".
Discography
[edit]- Studio albums
- Jesus of Cool (1978)
- Labour of Lust (1979)
- Nick the Knife (1982)
- The Abominable Showman (1983)
- Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit (1984)
- The Rose of England (1985)
- Pinker and Prouder Than Previous (1988)
- Party of One (1990)
- The Impossible Bird (1994)
- Dig My Mood (1998)
- The Convincer (2001)
- At My Age (2007)
- The Old Magic (2011)
- Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family (2013)
- Indoor Safari (2024)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Brooklyn based Music Blog: Anachronique: Nick Lowe (Power Pop)". Still in Rock. 26 February 2004. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ Cruel to be kind of old "The man originally known as one of the architects of the new wave sound of the '70s – having served as house producer for the legendary Stiff Records, as a pioneer of neo-power pop in his solo albums", New York Daily News, 17 June 2007
- ^ "Music Search, Recommendations, Videos and Reviews". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 April 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Rohter, Larry (14 September 2011). "Return of the Man Who Used to Rock". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ "Great British Life Norfolk Independent Schools. Retrieved 8 January 2012". Norfolk.greatbritishlife.co.uk. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ^ Birch, Will (2003). No Sleep Till Canvey Island: The Great Pub Rock Revolution. London: Virgin Books. ISBN 0-7535-0740-4.
- ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 588–589. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- ^ Raggett, Ned. "Damned Damned Damned – The Damned". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 June 2007.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 162. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "GOLD ALBUM(S) Archives - Page 515 of 590". Music Canada. December 1984. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 329. CN 5585.
- ^ "NICK LOWE lyrics – Who Was That Man?". Oldielyrics.com. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ ""Cruel to be kind of old," by Jim Farber, New York Daily News, 17 June 2007". Nydailynews.com. 17 June 2007. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ^ Cantwell, David (September–October 2001). "His aim is true: Nick Lowe has found the way to play wisdom over witticism". No Depression. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
In this setting, Lowe says, freed from the 'tyranny of the snare drum,' he's able to sing quietly, the better to explore the deeper nooks and crannies of his mature voice.
- ^ "Nick Lowe: the true blue Basher shows up for a friend". The Fortnightly Review. 18 December 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
- ^ "Nick Lowe touring w/ full band, playing 4 NY shows (dates)". Brooklyn Vegan. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Stream Nick Lowe's New Holiday Album Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection For All The Family". pastemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- ^ "Tour". Nicklowe.com. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ Dansby, Andrew (26 September 2018). "Nick Lowe talks about peace, love and Los Straitjackets - HoustonChronicle.com". Houstonchronicle.com. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ "Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets". Music-News.com. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ McCormick, Neil (28 June 2019). "Nick Lowe's Quality Rock and Roll Review, Acoustic Stage, Glastonbury, review: played with virtuosity and sung with a gorgeous, gliding croon". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
- ^ Dunning, Savana. "Conan O'Brien promised special guests to close out the Newport Folk Festival. Here's who came". Newport Daily News. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ Gritten, David (8 May 2009). "Nick Lowe: interview". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 25 September 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Nick Lowe Performs 'Trombone' and 'Lay It On Me' | In My Room". YouTube. 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Brentford Trilogy Box Set". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 July 2021
- ^ Orellana, Patricio (26 March 2012). "Alex Turner: "Creo que las cosas eran más cool en el pasado" - Rolling Stone Argentina". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
- ^ "The Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner gives props to Nick". Itsoktolikenicklowe.com. 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Nick Lowe at AllMusic
- Nick Lowe discography at Discogs
- Nick Lowe at IMDb
- Nick Lowe: Interview with Absolute Radio, 2011 on YouTube
Nick Lowe
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and education
Nicholas Drain Lowe was born on 24 March 1949 in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, to Geoffrey Drain Lowe, a distinguished Royal Air Force pilot who rose to the rank of group captain during World War II and later served as commanding officer of the Queen's Flight from 1956 to 1959, and his wife, who had served in the Women's Royal Air Force and hailed from a vaudeville-performing family with musical inclinations.[5][6][2] The family's military ties led to a peripatetic childhood, with frequent relocations across RAF bases in England and time spent in the Middle East before settling back in the UK during Lowe's early years.[7][8][9] Lowe's initial musical exposure came through his mother's record collection, featuring artists such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Judy Garland, whom she played frequently at home; she also taught him basic chords on a ukulele when he was about seven or eight years old.[2][10] Living near RAF installations often brought proximity to American servicemen, allowing Lowe to tune into Armed Forces Radio broadcasts that introduced him to rock 'n' roll pioneers like Elvis Presley and early country sounds.[10] By his early teens, Lowe's passion for music overshadowed academic pursuits; he was sent to Woodbridge School, a boarding school in Suffolk, where in 1963 he formed his first band with a classmate, marking the beginning of his hands-on involvement in playing and performing.[9][5] Around age 12, he acquired an inexpensive acoustic guitar and began teaching himself to play, while amassing a collection of records that further fueled his growing interest in diverse genres from pop to emerging rock influences.[11]Initial musical influences and first bands
Nick Lowe's initial musical influences drew heavily from his family's record collection, which exposed him to The Beatles, Tamla Motown artists, and American country and rockabilly pioneers such as Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly.[12] His mother, who had taught him basic chords on the ukulele around age seven or eight, further sparked his interest, as they harmonized on standards by artists like Nat King Cole and Tennessee Ernie Ford, blending pop, jazz, and early country elements.[13] As a teenager, Lowe formed his first band, Sounds 4+1, in 1963 alongside schoolfriend Brinsley Schwarz and other local musicians, performing covers of skiffle and early rock acts like Lonnie Donegan.[5] The group evolved into Kippington Lodge around 1967, a guitar-pop outfit with Lowe on bass and vocals, Schwarz on guitar, Bob Andrews on organ, and drummer Pete Whale.[14][15] Kippington Lodge signed to Parlophone (an EMI label) and issued their debut single, "Shy Boy" backed with "Lady on a Bicycle," in late 1967, followed by "Rumours" in 1968 and "Tell Me a Story" later that year.[15] These recordings captured a jangly folk-rock sound influenced by the British Invasion, though they achieved limited commercial success.[16] By 1969, after lineup changes including the addition of drummer Billy Rankin, Kippington Lodge disbanded and reformed under the name Brinsley Schwarz, marking Lowe's entry into the emerging pub rock movement.[16]Music career
1970s: Pub rock era and Brinsley Schwarz
In the late 1960s, Nick Lowe and guitarist Brinsley Schwarz, who had met as schoolmates at Woodbridge School in Suffolk, England, were part of the pop-oriented band Kippington Lodge, which they had formed in 1965 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.[17] By 1969, seeking a shift toward a rootsier, more authentic rock sound amid the excesses of progressive and glam rock, the group rebranded as Brinsley Schwarz, with Lowe transitioning to bass and lead vocals alongside core members Brinsley Schwarz on guitar, Bob Andrews on keyboards, and Billy Rankin on drums.[2] This lineup solidified the band's identity in the burgeoning UK pub rock scene, a grassroots movement emphasizing unpretentious, high-energy performances in intimate venues like London pubs, which contrasted sharply with the era's arena-sized spectacles.[18] Under manager Dave Robinson's ambitious promotion, Brinsley Schwarz signed to Dandelion Records, a Liberty/United Artists imprint run by John Peel, in early 1970.[19] Robinson's high-profile hype campaign included flying over 100 UK music journalists to New York for the band's American debut at the Fillmore East, an event that backfired spectacularly when logistical issues and mismatched expectations led to scathing reviews branding the band as overhyped.[19] Undeterred, the band retreated to the UK pub circuit, building a loyal following through consistent gigs at venues like the Tally Ho in London, where they honed a blend of country-rock, R&B, and original songwriting—much of it penned by Lowe. In 1971, guitarist Ian Gomm joined, adding vocal harmonies and expanding the band's dynamic range.[20] The group released their debut album, Brinsley Schwarz, in April 1970, followed swiftly by Despite It All later that year, both capturing their loose, jangly pub-ready sound with Lowe's wry, observational lyrics. Subsequent efforts included Silver Pistol (1972) and Nervous on the Road (1972), the latter a live recording that showcased their road-tested energy, while a notable single, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding"—written by Lowe—appeared in 1974 on The New Favourites of Brinsley Schwarz. Despite critical praise for their musicianship and influence on emerging acts, commercial sales remained modest, hampered by the earlier hype backlash and the underground nature of pub rock.[21] By 1975, after six albums and hundreds of pub performances that helped establish key venues and nurture a DIY ethos, Brinsley Schwarz disbanded amid financial pressures and lack of mainstream breakthrough.[2] Their emphasis on egalitarian, no-frills rock—evident in Lowe's bass-driven grooves and the band's tight ensemble playing—paved the way for the punk and new wave explosions of the late 1970s, inspiring bands like the Clash and Elvis Costello by prioritizing songcraft and venue intimacy over spectacle.[18]Late 1970s–1980s: Solo work, Rockpile, and production rise
In the late 1970s, Nick Lowe transitioned from his pub rock roots with Brinsley Schwarz to a solo career, releasing his debut album Jesus of Cool in March 1978 on Radar Records in the UK, which was retitled Pure Pop for Now People for its US release on Columbia Records later that year.[22][23] The album, produced by Lowe himself, blended power pop, new wave, and punk influences, peaking at number 22 on the UK Albums Chart.[23] It featured sharp, witty tracks that showcased Lowe's songwriting prowess, though commercial success came more prominently with the follow-up single "Cruel to Be Kind," co-written with former Brinsley Schwarz bandmate Ian Gomm and released in 1979, which reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[24][25] Lowe's solo trajectory intertwined with his work alongside Dave Edmunds in Rockpile, a band formed in 1976 featuring Edmunds on guitar and vocals, Lowe on bass and vocals, Billy Bremner on guitar and vocals, and Terry Williams on drums.[26] Due to contractual obligations with separate record labels—Lowe on Radar and Edmunds on Swan Song—the group's debut album, Twins, was released in 1978 under the joint billing Nick Lowe/Dave Edmunds, delivering a high-energy mix of rockabilly and pub rock covers alongside originals.[27] This collaboration extended to backing each other's solo efforts, with Rockpile providing the rhythm section for Lowe's Labour of Lust (1979), which reached number 42 on the UK Albums Chart and number 31 on the US Billboard 200, and Edmunds' Repeat When Necessary (1979), both of which captured the band's tight, rootsy sound and achieved moderate chart success in the UK and US.[27] Rockpile finally recorded and released an album under their own name with Seconds of Pleasure in October 1980 on Columbia Records, a collection of originals and covers that highlighted the group's chemistry but achieved modest commercial success, peaking at number 34 on the UK Albums Chart and number 27 on the US Billboard 200.[28] Internal tensions, particularly between Lowe and Edmunds over creative control, songwriting credits, and management differences, led to the band's dissolution in 1981, after which members pursued separate paths.[29][30] Parallel to his performing career, Lowe's production work flourished in the late 1970s and 1980s, establishing him as a key figure in the UK's punk and new wave scenes as Stiff Records' in-house producer starting in 1976.[31] He helmed Graham Parker's debut Howlin' Wind (1976) on Mercury Records, infusing the album with a raw, energetic sound that propelled Parker to critical acclaim.[32] Lowe followed this by producing Parker's third album, Stick to Me (1977), also on Mercury, where his crisp production enhanced the band's R&B-inflected rock despite recording challenges.[33] For Elvis Costello, Lowe produced the debut My Aim Is True (1977) on Stiff Records, capturing Costello's witty lyrics and pub rock backing in just six sessions at Pathway Studios.[34] He continued with Costello's sophomore effort This Year's Model (1978) on Radar Records, engineering a punchier sound with the Attractions over 11 days at Eden Studios.[35] Lowe also produced The Damned's seminal punk debut Damned Damned Damned (1977) on Stiff Records, delivering the raw energy that made it the first full-length UK punk album.[36] His influence extended to emerging acts like The Pretenders, for whom he produced the 1979 debut single "Stop Your Sobbing" on Real Records, a Kinks cover that reached number 34 on the UK Singles Chart and hinted at the band's potential despite Lowe's decision not to helm their full album.[37] In the early 1980s, Lowe contributed to country legend Johnny Cash's Rockabilly Blues (1980) on Columbia Records, producing the track "Without Love" during a period of familial ties through his then-wife Carlene Carter.1990s–2000s: Style shift and key albums
In the early 1990s, following the momentum from his 1980s production and solo efforts, Nick Lowe released Party of One in 1990, an album produced by longtime collaborator Dave Edmunds that retained elements of his rock and power pop roots while introducing subtler, more introspective tones through tracks like "All Men Are Liars." This release served as a transitional work, bridging Lowe's earlier energetic style with the stylistic evolution that would define his later career.[38] The turning point arrived with The Impossible Bird in 1994, where Lowe decisively shifted toward an acoustic, Americana-infused sound characterized by country-folk sensibilities, sparse arrangements, and mature lyrical depth, moving away from the rockabilly and new wave influences of his past.[11] Produced by Lowe alongside Neil Brockbank, the album garnered widespread critical acclaim for its elegance and emotional resonance, with standout tracks including the tender ballad "Shelley My Love" and the reflective "The Beast in Me," the latter originally written for Johnny Cash.[39] This pivot not only revitalized Lowe's career but also established a template for his subsequent work, emphasizing roots music over high-energy rock.[40] Lowe sustained this evolved style through the late 1990s and into the 2000s with releases that blended original compositions and carefully selected covers, prioritizing conceptual intimacy and craftsmanship. Dig My Mood (1998), again co-produced with Brockbank, deepened the Americana exploration with songs like "Faithless Lover," earning praise for its warm, unpretentious vibe. In 2001, The Convincer further refined this approach, mixing Lowe's wry originals such as "Can't Answer Your Question" with covers of tunes by the Everly Brothers and the Beatles, and receiving accolades for its sophisticated simplicity and vocal nuance. By 2007's At My Age, Lowe incorporated a mix of new material like the poignant "Indian Queens" and reinterpretations of classics including Loudon Wainwright III's "A Better Man," solidifying his reputation as a songsmith adept at distilling life's absurdities into melodic gems. During this era, Lowe also contributed significantly to country music by penning "The Beast in Me" for Johnny Cash's acclaimed American Recordings (1994), a track that underscored his affinity for the genre's storytelling tradition.[41] Additionally, in the early 2010s, Lowe began touring with the instrumental surf-rock outfit Los Straitjackets, whose energetic backing infused his performances with a fresh rockabilly edge while complementing his acoustic leanings.[42]2010s–present: Recent releases and touring
In the 2010s, Nick Lowe continued his solo career with a focus on mature, roots-oriented songwriting, releasing The Old Magic on September 13, 2011, via Yep Roc Records.[43] The album, inspired by influences like Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, and Chet Baker, featured 11 original tracks recorded in London, showcasing Lowe's balladry in songs such as "Stoplight Roses" and "House for Sale."[44] This release marked a continuation of his stylistic evolution toward introspective Americana from the previous decade. Lowe followed with Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family on October 29, 2013, a holiday-themed album blending covers of classics like "Children Go Where I Send Thee" with originals, earning praise for its retro charm and warm production.[45] Produced by Lowe and released on Yep Roc, the 12-track collection highlighted his affinity for festive reinterpretations, becoming a perennial favorite in his catalog.[46] By 2017, Lowe deepened his collaboration with instrumental rock band Los Straitjackets, who released What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Los Straitjackets, an album of 13 twangy, surf-infused covers of his songs, reflecting their ongoing partnership that began in 2012.[47] That year also saw the reissue of Lowe's 1984 album Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit on May 18 via Yep Roc, remastered with bonus tracks to reintroduce his early roots-rock work to new audiences.[48] These efforts underscored Lowe's enduring ties to his catalog while fostering live collaborations with Los Straitjackets as his backing band, often billed as Nick Lowe & His Cowboy Outfit in performances. Lowe's touring activity intensified throughout the decade, with regular jaunts alongside Los Straitjackets emphasizing a mix of his classics and newer material.[49] In 2024, they undertook a UK and Ireland tour, including a headline show at the London Palladium, promoting fresh songs amid sold-out venues.[50] The partnership extended into 2025 with additional North American dates, featuring multi-night residencies in Los Angeles at the Troubadour, Portland at Mississippi Studios, and Seattle at Tractor Tavern, alongside a summer U.S. run.[51] At age 76, Lowe's sets typically blend enduring hits like "Cruel to Be Kind" with contemporary tracks, demonstrating his vocal stamina and band chemistry. Amid this touring schedule, Lowe announced and released Indoor Safari on September 13, 2024, his first full-length solo studio album in 11 years, featuring Los Straitjackets on every track.[52] Produced by Lowe and Alex Hall, the 12-song collection of originals like "Went to a Party" and "Love Starvation" captured an immediate, rock 'n' roll energy with Americana undertones.[53] This release and ongoing tours affirm Lowe's active presence in the music scene into his later years.Songwriting and production
Songwriting contributions
Nick Lowe's songwriting emerged prominently during the pub rock era, characterized by a power pop style infused with irony, romance, and social commentary. His lyrics often delivered sharp wit within concise structures, blending clever wordplay with melodic hooks that critiqued societal norms while exploring personal relationships. One of his most enduring compositions, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding," written in 1974 for his band Brinsley Schwarz, exemplifies this approach through its satirical plea for optimism amid disillusionment.[2][54] In the late 1970s, Lowe's solo debut Jesus of Cool (1978) showcased his prowess with tracks like "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass," a playful nod to domestic chaos, and "So It Goes," Lowe's solo debut single in 1976. These songs highlighted his ability to craft infectious, narrative-driven pieces with humorous undertones. "Cruel to Be Kind," co-written with former Brinsley Schwarz bandmate Ian Gomm and released in 1979, became a signature hit, reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and capturing romantic tension through ironic twists.[55][56][57] Lowe's output as a songwriter spans over four decades, encompassing hundreds of original compositions marked by economical, witty lyrics that prioritize emotional resonance over excess. He frequently wrote for others, including "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding," which gained widespread acclaim through Elvis Costello's 1979 version on the album Armed Forces. Co-writes, such as "Do It in a Heartbeat" with Carlene Carter from her 1979 album Two Sides to Every Woman, further demonstrated his collaborative versatility in blending rock and country elements.[1][58] By the 1990s, Lowe's style evolved toward heartfelt ballads in an Americana vein, reflecting a more introspective tone on loss and redemption. The 1994 album The Impossible Bird featured songs like "The Beast in Me," originally penned for Johnny Cash but performed by Lowe, which conveyed raw vulnerability through sparse arrangements and poignant storytelling. This shift emphasized emotional depth over earlier sardonic flair, solidifying his reputation as a multifaceted lyricist.[59][40]Production discography highlights
Nick Lowe's production career began in the mid-1970s, establishing him as a key figure in the British pub rock and emerging punk scenes through his work with Stiff Records and other labels. Known for his "Basher" nickname, Lowe's approach emphasized a raw, economical sound that captured live energy with minimal overdubs and a focus on tight performances, often recording bands in single takes to preserve authenticity.[2] This style influenced the no-frills aesthetic of early new wave and power pop, prioritizing song strength over elaborate studio polish. Over his career, Lowe has amassed credits on more than 100 albums and singles for various artists, spanning genres from rock to country.[60] His early productions highlighted the gritty pub rock sound of the era. The following year, he produced Graham Parker's Howlin' Wind, which peaked at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart and showcased Parker's incisive songwriting with a punchy, roots-rock backing from the Rumour, blending soul and pub rock influences.[61] During the punk and new wave explosion of 1977, Lowe became Stiff Records' in-house producer, shaping several landmark debuts. He produced Elvis Costello's My Aim Is True, contributing guitar on tracks like "Alison" and "Less Than Zero" while guiding Costello's witty, literate songs into a crisp, pub rock-inflected sound that launched the singer's career.[60] That same year, Lowe oversaw The Damned's Damned Damned Damned, the first full-length UK punk album, capturing the band's chaotic speed and aggression in just ten days of recording to highlight their raw, proto-punk fury.[62] Lowe continued this streak by producing Costello's next four albums through 1981, including This Year's Model and Armed Forces, refining the artist's evolving sound with economical arrangements that amplified his satirical edge.[60] Into the late 1970s and 1980s, Lowe's credits extended to pop and country crossovers. He produced The Pretenders' debut single "Stop Your Sobbing" in 1979, giving Chrissie Hynde's cover of the Kinks classic a polished yet urgent sheen that helped secure the band's Real Records deal and charted at No. 34 in the UK.[63] In 1980, leveraging his familial ties—Lowe was married to Carlene Carter, Johnny Cash's stepdaughter—he produced Cash's version of his own song "Without Love" for the album Rockabilly Blues, blending Lowe's power pop sensibility with Cash's gravelly delivery for a rootsy, heartfelt rendition.[64] Lowe's production work in the 1990s and beyond maintained this versatile, unpretentious ethos, influencing artists like Wilco through his emphasis on straightforward, song-driven recordings that echoed in their early alt-country explorations.[2]Personal life
Marriages and relationships
Nick Lowe's first documented marriage was to country singer Carlene Carter on August 18, 1979, in Los Angeles, California.[65] Carter, the daughter of June Carter Cash and her first husband Carl Smith, was the stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, linking Lowe to country music royalty during a period when his career was shifting from pub rock to new wave and power pop.[66] The couple collaborated professionally, including on Carter's 1980 album Musical Shapes, which featured Lowe's band Rockpile as her backing group, blending rock and country influences.[67] The marriage, which lasted until 1990, ended amid the pressures of their demanding careers and heavy drinking habits, though the pair remained on amicable terms.[68] Footage from their actual wedding ceremony was incorporated into the music video for Lowe's hit single "Cruel to Be Kind," released in 1979, adding a personal touch to the production.[69] No children resulted from the union.[9] Lowe's subsequent relationship with designer and DJ Peta Waddington began in the early 2000s; the couple married around 2010 and have one son, Roy, born in 2005.[70] This low-profile partnership has provided stability during Lowe's later career phase, supporting his shift toward acoustic performances and releases like the 2019 EP Love Starvation/Trombone.[2] Lowe has no biological children from his earlier marriage, and his personal experiences with relationships have influenced his songwriting, particularly in the 1990s. His 1994 album The Impossible Bird features introspective tracks reflecting heartbreak and self-examination following his divorce from Carter, such as the raw emotional depth in songs addressing failed romance and personal reckoning.[71]Family and residences
Nicholas Drain Lowe was born on 24 March 1949 in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, to Geoffrey Drain Lowe, a Royal Air Force Group Captain who flew bombing missions over Germany during the Second World War, and Patricia Lowe, who served in the Women's Royal Air Force and came from a show-business family with musical roots.[2][9][3] His father's military career led to frequent relocations during Lowe's childhood, including postings to RAF bases in Jordan and Cyprus in the Middle East, where the family lived on military compounds.[7][9] Lowe has one sibling, an older sister named Penny.[72] Lowe attended Woodbridge School, an independent boarding school in Suffolk, England, starting in 1962, where he formed his first band with classmate Brinsley Schwarz amid the British Invasion's influence.[5] During the 1970s and 1980s, as he rose in the pub rock and new wave scenes with bands like Brinsley Schwarz and Rockpile, and as a key figure at Stiff Records, Lowe was based in London, including a period in Shepherd's Bush.[66] In the post-1990s era, seeking greater family stability, he relocated to Brentford in west London, a quiet suburban area, where he has resided in a Georgian-era row house since the early 2000s.[2][9] Lowe has one child, a son named Roy, born in 2005, with whom he shares a close bond and who occasionally joins him in musical performances, such as during the COVID-19 lockdowns when they played songs together from home.[2][73] Through his first marriage, Lowe became stepfather to two children from his former wife's previous relationships. In later life, at age 76 as of 2025, Lowe maintains a primary residence in Brentford while making occasional stays in the United States for touring, emphasizing a low-key, private family life that has supported his enduring career without public controversies.[9][74] He stays active through regular performances and simple routines like cooking and walking, crediting this discipline for his continued vitality on stage.[75][3]Legacy and influence
Impact on music genres and artists
Nick Lowe played a pivotal role in the development of pub rock during the early 1970s as the bassist and songwriter for Brinsley Schwarz, a band that emphasized a raw, grassroots approach to rock music performed in intimate venues like British pubs, rejecting the excesses of progressive rock and glam. This unpretentious style, characterized by straightforward songcraft and energetic live performances, helped lay the groundwork for the punk movement by prioritizing authenticity and accessibility over technical virtuosity.[76][2] Lowe's influence extended to power pop and new wave through his solo work and production efforts, where he blended melodic hooks with sharp, angular arrangements. His 1979 hit "Cruel to Be Kind," a collaboration with Rockpile, exemplified power pop's catchy yet edgy sound, achieving commercial success while influencing the genre's emphasis on concise, witty pop structures. As a producer, Lowe shaped new wave's early aesthetic, notably on Elvis Costello's debut album My Aim Is True (1977), where he crafted a taut, angular style that combined pub rock roots with punk's urgency, mentoring Costello in the process and establishing a template for intelligent, literate rock.[2][77] Lowe's songwriting and production have directly impacted subsequent artists across genres. Elvis Costello has credited Lowe as a key mentor, drawing on his guidance to refine his own eclectic style during their collaborative years at Stiff Records. Neko Case has covered Lowe's "Endless Grey Ribbon," incorporating his understated lyricism into her alt-country repertoire, while Wilco paid homage by covering "I Love My Label" and collaborating with him on recordings that highlight his enduring appeal in indie rock. Johnny Cash praised Lowe's songcraft by recording his composition "The Beast in Me" on his 1994 comeback album American Recordings, valuing its introspective depth and mutual respect between the two songwriters.[77][78][79][80] As the in-house producer for Stiff Records, co-founded in 1976, Lowe embodied the label's DIY ethos, quickly recording and releasing music on a shoestring budget to capture raw energy and foster independent creativity among emerging punk and new wave acts like The Damned and Ian Dury. This hands-on approach, often dubbed "bashing it down" in the studio, democratized production and encouraged a generation of musicians to prioritize immediacy and innovation over polished perfection.[81][2]Awards, tributes, and cultural recognition
Nick Lowe has received several accolades recognizing his contributions to music as a songwriter, performer, and producer. In 1993, he earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the album Little Village, a collaborative project featuring Lowe alongside John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner.[82] In 2017, the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) honored him with the Independent Icon Award at the Libera Awards, acknowledging his enduring impact on independent music scenes from pub rock to Americana.[83] Lowe's songs have been widely covered by prominent artists, underscoring his influence across genres. His 1974 composition "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" became a rock standard after Elvis Costello's 1979 cover propelled it to mainstream attention, and it has since been interpreted by numerous acts including Johnny Cash and Aimee Mann. Lowe's production and songwriting also extended to tributes like the 1979 Granada Television documentary Born Fighters, which captured the recording sessions for his album Labour of Lust and Rockpile's collaborative energy; it was rehighlighted in 2011 during the album's deluxe reissue.[84] Lowe's career has garnered significant cultural recognition in media and literature. He is prominently featured in Will Birch's 2020 biography Cruel to Be Kind: The Life and Music of Nick Lowe, which details his pivotal role in the pub rock movement of the 1970s.[85] A 2025 profile in The Boston Globe celebrated his ongoing creativity at age 76, highlighting his shift toward introspective songwriting inspired by figures like Johnny Cash.[86] An NPR World Cafe interview in November 2024 reflected on his over 50-year career, emphasizing the craft behind timeless songs.[87] His 2024 album Indoor Safari, the first full-length release in 13 years, debuted at number one on the Billboard Americana/Folk Albums chart and received praise for its rockabilly-infused energy.[3] Lowe's 2025 tour with Los Straitjackets, supporting the album, earned acclaim in reviews, including a standout acoustic set at Glastonbury Festival described as a "genuinely legendary" nod to his pub rock roots.[88]Discography
Solo studio albums
Nick Lowe released his debut solo studio album, Jesus of Cool, in March 1978 through Radar Records in the UK, where it peaked at number 22 on the UK Albums Chart.[89] The album was reissued in the US as Pure Pop for Now People on Columbia Records, reaching number 127 on the Billboard 200.[23] His follow-up, Labour of Lust, came out in June 1979 on Radar Records in the UK and Columbia in the US; it peaked at number 43 in the UK and number 31 on the Billboard 200.[90][91] In 1982, Lowe issued Nick the Knife via F-Beat in the UK and Columbia in the US, achieving a UK peak of number 99 and number 50 on the Billboard 200.[92][91] The Abominable Showman, released in 1983 on Columbia Records in the US, reached number 129 on the Billboard 200 but did not chart in the UK.[93] Lowe's solo output in the late 1980s included Pinker and Prouder Than Previous in 1988 on Demon Records in the UK, which received mixed reviews but no major chart success.[94] Party of One followed in 1990 on Reprise Records in the US and Demon in the UK, emphasizing Lowe's roots rock style without prominent charting.[95] Lowe's solo output slowed in the 1990s and 2000s, beginning with The Impossible Bird in 1994 on Upstart Records in the US and Demon in the UK, which received critical acclaim but no major chart success.[96] Dig My Mood appeared in 1998 on Upstart in the US and Demon in the UK, continuing his introspective approach.[97] The Convincer followed in 2001 on Proper Records in the UK and Yep Roc in the US, marking a return to polished roots rock without charting prominently.[98] At My Age appeared in 2007 on Proper in the UK and Yep Roc in the US, emphasizing Lowe's mature songwriting style.[99] Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family (2013, Yep Roc Records) is a covers album of Christmas and winter songs, featuring Lowe's arrangements of standards like "Silent Night" and originals such as "Christmas at the Airport," recorded in a stripped-down style without traditional holiday instrumentation.[45] The 2010s saw The Old Magic in 2011 on Proper in the UK and Yep Roc in the US, peaking at number 66 in the UK and number 84 on the Billboard 200.[92][100]Band albums and collaborations
Nick Lowe began his recording career as a founding member of the pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz, where he served as bassist, vocalist, and songwriter. The group released four studio albums on United Artists between 1970 and 1972, blending country rock, R&B, and folk influences in a style that anticipated the pub rock movement. These records captured the band's raw energy and Lowe's emerging songwriting talent, though they achieved limited commercial success at the time.[101]| Album | Release Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Brinsley Schwarz | 1970 | United Artists |
| Despite It All | 1970 | United Artists |
| Silver Pistol | 1972 | United Artists |
| Nervous on the Road | 1972 | United Artists |