Nico | |
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_(cropped).jpg) Nico with the Velvet Underground in 1966 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christa Päffgen |
| Born | 16 October 1938 Cologne, Germany |
| Died | 18 July 1988 (aged 49) Ibiza, Spain |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1955–1988 |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | The Velvet Underground |
Christa Päffgen (German pronunciation: [ˈkʁɪsta ˈpɛfɡn̩]; 16 October 1938 – 18 July 1988),[1][2][3] known by her stage name Nico, was a German singer, songwriter, actress, and model.
Nico had roles in several films, including Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita (1960) and Andy Warhol's Chelsea Girls (1966). At the insistence of Warhol, she sang lead on three songs of the Velvet Underground's debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967). At the same time, she started a solo career and released Chelsea Girl (1967). Her friend Jim Morrison suggested that she start writing her own material. She then composed songs on a harmonium, not traditionally a rock instrument. John Cale of the Velvet Underground became her musical arranger and produced The Marble Index (1968), Desertshore (1970), The End... (1974) and other subsequent albums.
In the 1980s, Nico toured extensively in Europe, United States, Australia and Japan. After a concert in Berlin in June 1988, she went on holiday in Ibiza, where she died from a cerebral haemorrhage while cycling in extremely hot weather.[4]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
The Great Rock Discographywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Talevski, Nick (2006). Knocking on Heaven's Door: Rock Obituaries. London, UK: Omnibus Press. p. 462. ISBN 1846090911.
- ^ "The Velvet Underground | American rock group". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
Nico (original name Christa Päffgen; b. October 16, 1938, Cologne, Germany—d. July 18, 1988, Ibiza, Spain)
- ^ Stephen Yardwood (March 2004). "An Interview with James Young". Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2018.