Nico

Nico, born Christa Päffgen in Köln, Germany, in 1938 and active until 1988, is a German singer, songwriter, model, and actress. She is associated with avant-folk, avant-garde, chamber folk, gothic rock, lied, and neo-medieval folk. She is also known for work in the area of experimental and alternative music.

Early life and career

Nico begins her career as a model in Berlin and Paris, before studying acting at Lee Strasberg’s New York Actor Studio. She later becomes part of the Swinging London scene. She has a short relationship with Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, which leads to an important stage in her recording career.

Recording debut and The Velvet Underground

Her first record is the 1965 London single I'm Not Saying/The Last Mile, produced by Jimmy Page and released on Andrew Loog Oldham’s Immediate Records label. Through Brian Jones, she meets Andy Warhol in New York and becomes part of Warhol’s Factory. Warhol introduces her to The Velvet Underground, and she records with them on The Velvet Underground & Nico, the album with the banana cover designed by Warhol. The record is widely regarded as one of the most important and highly ranked albums in rock history.

Solo work

Nico later records a series of solo albums. Chelsea Girl appears in 1967 and has a folk-oriented sound. She then releases The Marble Index and Desertshore, albums that move into a darker and more avant-garde style. She continues with further albums through the 1970s and 1980s, including The End..., Drama of Exile, and Camera Obscura.

Live recordings and collaborations

Her live discography includes June 1, 1974, recorded with Kevin Ayers, John Cale, and Brian Eno, as well as Behind the Iron Curtain, Live Heroes, Nico in Tokyo, Hanging Gardens, Do or Die!, Heroine, Fata Morgana, Live in Pécs 1985, In Europe: Do or Die, Diary 1982, Janitor of Lunacy, Le Bataclan, Paris, France with Lou Reed and John Cale, and All Tomorrow's Parties: Live.

Later life and death

Nico dies in 1988 after a cerebral hemorrhage following a bicycle fall in Ibiza, Spain. She is buried in Berlin next to her mother.