Last week we learned of the sad passing of one of our writers Nikolai Rainbow. He had written for us since 2014. I forget how we met. It may have been a music group on Facebook. In all my work with him and conversations, Nikolai always came across as such a kind, warm, and funny man. He was a passionate music fan, writer, and musician who lived in Bristol, he was born in London in October of 1973 and described himself as a “DJ and musician and music collector and Support Staff at Dean Healthcare.” He also offers on his Facebook page that he liked “great music, great company, and great big standing stones.”
Tragically, in the last few years Nikolai suffered ill health, he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer, his occasional posts and videos were a window into his treatment and the struggle and suffering that entailed. But also a snapshot of his positivity and bravery when facing such a cruel, cruel illness. He filmed videos on beaches and after long walks. I often used to think if I had a tenth of his positivity and love of life and people I would be a happy man.
On Thursday morning his mum posted to Facebook ” RIP Nikolai Rainbow To all of you lovely people who cared about Nik. He lost the fight at 2.15am, my boy slipped away so peacefully. At rest.” We send his family and friends our deepest condolences.
Nikolai was an avid and passionate music fan, who always made lists so we decided what better way to pay tribute to Nik than to publish a list of his lists. I know he’s up there looking down. Rest in peace, my friend.
1/ Spirit Of Eden- Talk Talk (1988)
2/ Laughing Stock- Talk Talk (1991)
3/ Ágætis Byrjun- Sigur Ros (1999)
4/ In Rainbows- Radiohead (2009)
5/ Violator- Depeche Mode (1990)
6/ The Seeds Of Love- Tears For Fears (1989)
7/ Orbus Terrarum- The Orb (1995)
8/ Orbital II-Orbital (1992)
9/ Congratulations- MGMT (2010)
10/ Giant Steps- Boo Radleys (1993)
11/ Abbey Road-The Beatles (1970)
12/ Homogenic- Bjork (1997)
13/ Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space- Spiritualized (1997)
14/ A Saucerful Of Secrets-Pink Floyd (1968)
15/ Kid A- Radiohead (2000)
16/Attack Of The Grey Lantern- Mansun (1995)
17/( )- Sigur Ros (2002)
18/Insides- Orbital (1996)
19/Modern Life Is Rubbish-Blur (1993)
20/Cast Of Thousands – Elbow (2003)
22/Touch- Eurythmics (1983)
23/Asleep In The Back- Elbow (2002)
24/Seventh Tree- Goldfrapp (2008)
25/The Coral- The Coral- (2002)
26/OK Computer- Radiohead (1997)
27/Dark Side Of The Moon- Pink Floyd (1973)
28/Found Sound- Spooky (1996)
29/Peter Gabriel III (1980)
30/Surfing On Sine Waves- Polygon Window (1993)
32/Given To The Wild- The Maccabees (2012)
33/Rock Action- Mogwai (2001)
34/Lift Yr Skinny Fists… Godspeed! You Black Emperor (2000)
36/Animals- Pink Floyd (1977)
37/13- Blur (1999)
38/Behaviour- Pet Shop Boys (1990)
39/Vanishing Point- Primal Scream (1997)
42/Think Tank- Blur (2003)
43/Dummy- Portishead (1994)
44/Illinois- Sufjan Stevens (2005)
45/Bridge Over Troubled Water- Simon and Garfunkel (1970)
46/Six- Mansun (1998)
47/The Downward Spiral- Nine Inch Nails- (1994)
48/Origin Of Symmetry- Muse (2001)
49/Loveless- My Bloody Valentine (1991)
50/Faraway Trains, Passing By- Ulrich Schnauss (2001)
24/Have I Got News For You?
23/8 Out Of 10 Cats/…Does Countdown
22/Ideal
21/Fonejacker/Facejacker
20/The League Of Gentlemen
19/Spaced
18/Brass Eye/Anything involving Chris Morris
17/Anything involving Brian Pern
16/Fonejacker/Facejacker
15/Teachers
14/Fawlty Towers
13/Top Of The Pops
12/Trigger Happy T.V.
11/Shameless
10/The Young Ones
09/Peep Show
08/Flight Of The Conchords
07/Monty Python’s Flying Circus
06/Only Fools And Horses
05/Monkey Dust/Adult Swim
04/South Park
03/Blackadder
02/Never Mind The Buzzcocks
01/Anything involving David Attenborough, basically!
I was at front of stage just four feet from Jonsi who spent most of the gig lying down playing his guitar with an E-bow between his teeth!! This song in particular was like a religious experience!
