Nick Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nick Cave
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Cave in 2021
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Nicholas Edward Cave
22 September 1957 Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia
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| Years active | 1973–present |
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| Partner(s) | Anita Lane (1977–1983) |
| Children | 4 (including Earl) |
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Nicholas Edward Cave (born 22 September 1957) is an Australian musician, singer, and songwriter. He is most famous for being the leader of the rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Cave is known for his deep baritone voice and for writing songs that are full of emotion and tell powerful stories about life, love, and challenges.
Born and raised in country Victoria, Australia, Cave started his first band in the late 1970s. This band, The Birthday Party, became a leading post-punk group. In 1983, after The Birthday Party broke up, Cave formed Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. This band has become one of rock music's most respected and long-lasting groups.
Over the years, Cave's music has changed and grown. He became very popular in the 1990s with quieter, piano-based songs. These included the famous duet "Where the Wild Roses Grow" with Kylie Minogue and the beautiful ballad "Into My Arms".
Besides music, Cave is also a writer and has worked on movies. He wrote the Australian Western film The Proposition (2005) and composed its music with his bandmate Warren Ellis. Together, they have created soundtracks for many films. Cave has also written two novels.
In 2007, Cave was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, one of Australia's highest musical honors.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Music
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Nicholas Edward Cave was born in Warracknabeal, a small town in Victoria, Australia. His father, Colin, was an English and math teacher, and his mother, Dawn, was a librarian. Growing up, his father read classic books to him, and he developed a love for stories. Through his older brother, he discovered rock bands like Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull.
When Cave was nine, he joined the choir at his local cathedral. At age 13, his parents sent him to a school in Melbourne. After finishing school, he studied painting for a short time but left in 1977 to focus on music.
When Cave was 19, his father was killed in a car accident. He later said that this great loss created a "vacuum, a space in which my words began to float and collect and find their purpose." This sad event deeply influenced his songwriting.
Music Career
The Birthday Party (1973–1983)
In 1973, while still in school, Cave started a band with his friends. At first, they were called The Boys Next Door and played songs by artists like David Bowie and Lou Reed. They soon began writing their own songs and became a key part of Melbourne's post-punk music scene.
In 1980, the band changed their name to The Birthday Party and moved to London, England. They later moved to West Berlin, Germany. The Birthday Party became known for their very energetic and intense live shows. The band broke up in 1983, but their music was very influential.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (1984–present)
After The Birthday Party ended, Cave formed his most famous band, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The band has released eighteen studio albums and is known for being one of rock's "most enduring, redoubtable" groups.
The sound of the Bad Seeds changes from album to album. They have explored many genres, from loud rock to quiet, thoughtful ballads. Their songs often tell stories and explore deep feelings. Some of their most famous songs include "The Mercy Seat", the duet with Kylie Minogue "Where the Wild Roses Grow", and "Into My Arms". Their most recent album, Wild God, was released in 2024.
Other Music Projects
In 2006, Cave formed a side project called Grinderman with some of the Bad Seeds members. They released two albums with a rawer, garage rock sound.
Cave has also collaborated with many famous artists. He recorded songs with Johnny Cash, who was one of his heroes. He also worked with PJ Harvey and Shane MacGowan of The Pogues. His songs have been covered by many artists, including Metallica and Snoop Dogg.
Music in Movies and TV
Nick Cave's music is often used in movies and television shows. His song "Red Right Hand" is famous as the theme song for the TV series Peaky Blinders. His songs have also appeared in movies like Batman Forever, Shrek 2, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.
Writing and Film Work
Books and Screenplays
Besides music, Cave is a talented writer. He has published several books, including two novels: And the Ass Saw the Angel (1989) and The Death of Bunny Munro (2009). He also writes a popular blog called The Red Hand Files, where he answers questions directly from his fans.
Cave has also written screenplays for movies. He wrote the script for the Australian film The Proposition (2005) and Lawless (2012).
Movie Soundtracks
Cave often works with his Bad Seeds bandmate Warren Ellis to create music for films. They have composed the soundtracks for many movies, including:
- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
- The Road (2009)
- Hell or High Water (2016)
Their music helps create the mood and feeling of the films they score.
Personal Life
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After leaving Australia in 1980, Cave lived in London, Berlin, and São Paulo, Brazil. He now lives in England with his wife, the designer and model Susie Bick. They married in 1999.
Cave has faced great personal tragedy. His teenage son, Arthur, died in an accident in 2015. In 2022, his son Jethro also passed away. These losses have had a deep impact on Cave and his recent work, which explores feelings of sadness, loss, and hope.
Cave often explores themes of faith in his work. He has said he is interested in the Bible and the story of Jesus. He doesn't belong to a specific church but has said that he believes in the possibility of God and that having doubts is a natural part of faith.
He has also spoken about the importance of free speech. He believes it is better to discuss and challenge ideas than to silence them.
Legacy and Influence
Nick Cave is seen as one of the most important songwriters of his generation. Many musicians, like Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, have called him one of the greatest living songwriters. His unique style, powerful lyrics, and emotional performances have influenced many artists around the world.
For his work, Cave has received many awards. In 2007, he was added to the ARIA Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was named an Officer of the Order of Australia for his important contributions to music and culture.
See Also
In Spanish: Nick Cave para niños
- List of Caulfield Grammar School people
