He was born in Bristol, but did most of his growing up (if you can call it that) in lpswich, Suffolk. He came from a musical family, and Nik first earned a crust in a local band called Half-Pint Hog in 1974. Like virtually any band from East Angjia, they played heavy metal cover versions. When he left school he joined a new, more serious band called Fusion.
The band was held in high esteem locally, and they signed a record deal for a single and an album. The album included an early version of Human Racing, a track which Kershaw later resurrected and saw into the UK top 20. However, with a name as optimistic as Fusion, they were inevitably doomed to a final split
Kershaw, who was obviously the driving force in the band and the main songwriter, signed with manager Micky Modern who also looked after the band Nine Below Zero. He signed Kershaw to MCA in 1983 and his debut release for the company, I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me just edged into thetop 50.
The following year proved to be Nik's purple patch, with Wouldn't it Be Good scoring a top ten before a further four big hits, including the re-released debut making number two, which remains his biggest hit. He also had two top ten albums that year: Human Racing and The Riddle.
1985 provided Nik with several more hits, but the populartiy of his perky pop was starting to wane. He played guitar on Elton John's massive hit, Nikta, and had guest spots from Level 42's Mark King at his live shows, an indication, perhaps, of things to come.
There have been another two albums, Radio
Musicola in1986 and The Works in 1989. but the latter failed to chart at all. As the 90s got under way, after a bilef collaboration with Tony Banks, the keyboard player from Genesis, Kershaw applied his skills to producing and songwrlting and has written and produced Chesney Hawks (The One And Only - money from Its continued use on ITV's football programming must have kept him In crumpets alone), The Osmond Boys, Mark Stephens (who played Nick In Jason/Kyle era Nelghoours but didn't trouble the charts with his pop career), The Hollies and teen band Let Loose.
Currently, there are rumours that he may be forming a new band with Mark King and that he is working with the Pacific Formula One team on a music project
Whatever, Nick is happy to potter around in his ADAT-equipped home studio in rural Essex where he lives with his wife and children.
Get your own Free Home Page