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The facts about Nico's life are sketchy and in some instances the only proof is her own testimony. She was allegedly raped by an American sargeant who was subsequently executed. At the age of 15 she became a model, moving to Paris to work for Coco Chanel. From that she moved effortlessly to a walk on part in Fellini's La Dolce Vita, Lee Strasberg's acting classes, girlfriend to Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and finally Warhol. In each case it was her beauty, as much as any talent, that opened all the doors.
Warhol put her with a reluctant Velvet Underground who laughed at her inability to hold a note (but listen to how effective she is on the Velvets first album). She went solo and had a critical hit with the album "Chelsea Girl".
From then it all began to go sour. Her solo work became arguably more interesting but it was laden with a heavy European sensibility. Moondog would have appreciated this even if he disliked her music.
Nico accompanied herself on the harmonium. John Cale says that this was never in tune and that it was murder to record. What was worse, in the seventies Nico acquired a heroin habit which she never really shook off until her death from a brain haemorrhage in 1988.
In the 80's she was living in London and was managed by a character known as Doc Demetrius. He persuaded her that what she needed was a young band to front her. Some of these guys were taking as much heroin as she was but one of them, James Young, wrote a book, "Songs They Never Play On The Radio" about these years and the tours she went on. The account is well written and sad but also very funny as well. Among those with walk on parts are John Cale, Gregory Corso (who is portrayed as a tough minded addict with a denture induced lisp, Allen Ginsberg (who emerges as quite sweet even if Nico expresses regret that he no longer seems to remove his clothes at poetry recitals) and John Cooper Clarke.
Read the extracts on this site then buy it......
