Hollywood superstar actor Brad Pitt
is to present a music documentary for BBC Radio 2.
Pitt makes his BBC Radio debut narrating Lost
Boy – In Search Of Nick Drake, telling the story of the English
singer-songwriter who died virtually unknown in 1974 at the age of 26.
The documentary is broadcast on Saturday 22 May at 9.00pm.
The star of hit movies like Ocean's Eleven and Thelma
And Louise was approached by Radio 2 earlier this year after the network
learned he was a huge Nick Drake fan.
Pitt says: "I was introduced to Nick Drake's music
about five years ago, and am a huge admirer of his records.
"When Radio 2 approached me to get involved in
this project, I was delighted to be asked and pleased that I was able
to fit it into my schedule."
Pitt, who is married to actress Jennifer Aniston, recorded
the script last weekend in Hollywood during a specially-arranged recording
session close to his home in Beverly Hills.
The Radio 2 documentary also includes a world exclusive
'first play' of a 'lost' Nick Drake track, Tow The Line.
This was discovered during work on a new Nick Drake
album of rare and unreleased recordings.
The programme also includes a Norah Jones version of
Nick's song Day Is Done, recorded in 2001 before her global success.
Lesley Douglas, Controller BBC Radio 2 & 6 Music says:
"I am thrilled to welcome Brad Pitt to Radio 2 to present what
promises to be a unique and unmissable profile of the life and music
of Nick Drake.
"Drake is regularly cited as an influence by some
of Radio 2's core artists, including REM, Paul Weller and Badly Drawn
Boy and to have a genuine fan like Brad Pitt to present the programme
will make it a compelling listen."
Nick Drake recorded three albums for Island Records
during a short career, which was dogged by a lack of commercial success.
Since his death from an overdose of anti-depressants,
however, his status as a cult artist has grown and grown and his record
sales continue to increase.
Brad fitted in work on the Radio 2 documentary ahead
of filming for the sequel to Ocean's Eleven – Ocean's Twelve.
He also stars in the blockbuster Troy, which is released
worldwide in May 2004.
Lost Boy - In Search Of Nick Drake, presented
by Brad Pitt, can be heard on Saturday 22 May at 9.00pm, BBC Radio 2.
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