Nik Kershaw A true 80's pop relic Date of Birth: 01.03.1958 Country: Great Britain

Biography of Nicholas Kershaw

Nicholas David Kershaw, born in 1958, is a British pop icon from the 1980s. He is best known for his soulful and heartfelt songs, including the super hits "Wouldn't It Be Good?", "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", and "The Riddle". With his charming looks, he became the idol of teenage girls in Europe. However, he struggled to achieve the same level of success in America, where he was overshadowed by other heartthrobs such as Howard Jones and Paul Young. While often compared to Howard Jones, the two musicians had distinct musical styles. Unfortunately, Kershaw's time in the spotlight was short-lived, and by the end of the 1980s, he was almost forgotten on both sides of the Atlantic.

Kershaw made sacrifices for the sake of other musicians, working behind the scenes throughout the 1990s. However, his desire to perform his own songs eventually prevailed. In 1999, he returned to the stage, but with limited success. Despite this, Kershaw remains a unique artist and a serious musician who was ahead of his time.

Nicholas Kershaw was born into a musical family. His father played the flute and piano, while his mother experimented with opera singing. The family moved to Ipswich, Suffolk when Kershaw was young. His parents nurtured his talents, and at the age of ten, he joined a children's choir. He later performed in a children's theater troupe and received his first guitar as a gift when he turned fourteen.

In 1974, Kershaw joined the band Half Pint Hog, formed at his school, Northgate Grammar School. The band played mediocre covers of songs by Deep Purple. However, the band's career was short-lived, and Kershaw even auditioned to be the guitarist for Deep Purple after Ritchie Blackmore left. Unfortunately, he was not chosen for the position, but this experience opened his eyes to his diverse musical interests beyond hard rock. It also solidified his dream of becoming a professional musician. Despite his musical aspirations, Kershaw worked as a clerk at the Ipswich branch of the Ministry of Employment after finishing school.

Kershaw continued to pursue music and eventually found himself in the jazz-funk band Fusion, formed in 1978. The band played at dance clubs and discotheques, with Kershaw taking on the role of guitarist and vocalist. Fusion, which also included keyboardist Reg Webb, bassist Ken Elson, and drummer Alan Clark, gained some popularity in the late 1970s. They signed a contract with "Plastic Fantastic Records" and released an unnoticed single. In 1980, they signed a new contract with "Telephone Records" and released their first and only album, "'Til I Hear from You". The album included an early version of Kershaw's song "Human Racing", which he later re-recorded.

In early 1982, the band disbanded, and Kershaw spent six months gathering material to interest record companies. During this time, he wrote lyrics and composed music. He also developed his instrumental skills, learning to play the bass and keyboards in addition to the guitar. His musical ideas were innovative for the time, combining reggae and funk with a soft synth-pop sound.

Kershaw began performing solo with these songs and soon met Mickey Modern, the former manager of the band Nine Below Zero, who became his manager. Modern introduced Kershaw to "MCA Records", and he signed a contract with the company. In the first half of 1983, Kershaw worked with renowned producer Peter Collins to record his debut album, "Human Racing". In September, his debut solo single, the anti-nuclear "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", was released. While it only reached number 47 on the British charts, his second single, "Wouldn't It Be Good?", reached number 4 after a performance on the popular show "Top of the Pops". The song also became a hit in Europe and reached number 46 on the Billboard charts in the United States.

Kershaw's popularity grew rapidly, and he became one of the most visible stars in the British music scene. In early 1984, he solidified his success with the energetic single "Dancing Girls", which reached number 13 on the charts. Kershaw's debut album, "Human Racing", released at the end of 1983, reached number 5 in the UK, and achieved platinum status in sales. The album featured a mix of reggae, funk, soul, and synth-pop influences. Kershaw's vocal style drew comparisons to Stevie Wonder, and his lyrics often explored social and political themes.

Kershaw continued to release successful singles, including "The Riddle", which reached number 3, and "Wide Boy" and "Don Quixote", which both reached the top 10. In late 1984, he released his second album, also titled "The Riddle". The album consolidated his international success and achieved platinum sales. However, the charts showed slightly lower results compared to his debut album.

By the mid-1980s, Kershaw's popularity began to decline. The release of the single "When a Heart Beats" in 1985 only reached number 27 on the charts, and his album "Radio Musicola" in 1986 reached a modest number 29. The single "Nobody Knows" broke his streak of hit songs, reaching only number 44. Kershaw's changing image, including his revelation of being married, contributed to his diminishing popularity among both younger and older audiences.

Despite this decline, Kershaw continued to collaborate with other artists, including Elton John, Eric Clapton, Cliff Richard, and Lulu. During the 1990s, he focused on songwriting for other musicians but still maintained a successful career as a songwriter. By the end of the 1980s, he had sold over eight million records.

In 1999, Kershaw made a comeback, signing a contract with independent label "Pyramid Records". He released his first album in a decade, "15 Minutes", which received critical acclaim. The album featured a more mature and acoustic sound compared to his synth-pop style in the 1980s. The singles "Someone Loves You" and "What Do You Think of It So Far?" received radio play and charted in the UK. Encouraged by this success, Kershaw embarked on a tour in support of the album.

In 2001, he released his next album, "To Be Frank", which continued in the same style as its predecessor. However, the album received mixed reviews from critics. As a result, Kershaw announced a hiatus from performing and recording, returning to songwriting for other artists.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Kershaw collaborated with several musicians, including Anthony Banks from Genesis and Elton John. He also contributed to Bonnie Tyler's album "Bitterblue" and worked with upcoming pop artists such as Let Loose, Boyzone, and Connor Reeves.

While Kershaw's popularity may have waned over the years, his contribution to the music industry and his unique musical style make him a respected and influential artist. His soulful and heartfelt songs continue to resonate with fans old and new.