Remembering 606 Staff Member Niki Bracken (1953-2020)

5 June 2020

Niki Bracken - 1953 – 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of 606 staff member Niki Bracken on 7 May 2020 due to an undiagnosed heart condition.

Niki was a frequent customer at the original 606 Club on Kings Road, and along with his adored partner Ryn became good friends with the 606's owner Steve Rubie in the 1980's. He began working at the 606 in the early 2000's and since then, has been a constant and familiar face, whether opening the door and welcoming visitors, taking bookings on the phone or helping customers in the Club. 

Having been an integral part of the 606 community for so long, he cannot be replaced, and many who saw him at the Club for years or even decades will miss him… the Club won’t be quite the same.

In his honour, several members of the 606 staff as well as the musicians who performed here often have been invited to share their thoughts about him. We have also included a link to the video of the funeral service (along with logins) so those who are interested can view it is they wish – it will be live for 28 days (expiring 30 June). 

This page will be updated as we receive additional comments. 

Thank you for reading and for remembering Niki.

To watch the service, visit www.obitus.com
Username: Yazi3185  :: Password: 597835

Lloyd Jerwood (606 staff member)
Niki was a friend from the first… the first chat, the first laugh, the first drink. And a generous soul to the last. 

His was that resilient kindness that restores faith about the depth of human ability to persevere, even when everything hurts and all is taken away. I will always remember Nik and try to live up to the example he set so high in the fields of compassion and care for those around him. 

I’m grateful to have been a part of the 606 family around Nik, and to have witnessed this humanity first hand in the few years that we knew each other before he passed. We’re all going to miss you friend.

Claire Martin (musician)
Nicky was such a big part of the 606 family, it will take some getting used to him not being there.  He always had such a calm and kind vibe about him and we will all miss his gentle manner.  He was always genuinely pleased to see you and asked about family members, I remember his devoted care to his late wife.  RIP Nicky you will be very much missed by so many.

Laura G Thorne (606 Marketing Manager)
When I started working in the 606 office in 2012 I was very much the ‘new kid in town’, but Niki made me feel welcome from the start. His kindness and congeniality put me at ease and I could always rely on him for a chat and a smile!  After I became quite ill a few years ago, he frequently expressed concern and asked me how I was doing, which helped me get through a difficult time. I would always look forward to seeing him and I am just really sad he’s gone.

Fleur Stevenson (Musician)
Very saddened to hear of the passing of lovely Niki, long term staff member at the 606 Club. He was such a lovely, gentle, kind gent. Lots of fond memories. He always had a kind and reassuring word to say to a young singer still finding herself and lots of good humour with it too! He'll be very much missed and the club will not be the same without him. Thinking of you all at the club, love and hugs to the 606 family. There will never be another Niki. X

Esther Bennett (606 Staff/Musician)
Warm, friendly, genuine and wise. Honest, kind, sweet and lovely.

Words and sentiments that echo again and again in the outpouring of love and respect that has been shown for Nicky Bracken. From his fellow staff members through to customers and club members and from the musicians and members of the jazz and music community.

All of this is not only a testament to Nicky's good nature, but also to The 606 Club, which was his spiritual and mainly physical home. He was happy there, cared for and safe. We share the same birth date and this year, I will raise my glass to you, my dear friend.

Georgia Mancio & Dave Ohm (Musicians)
We will always miss the warm presence of Niki. A truly gentle soul, he had the uncanny knack of appearing calm and serene under any circumstances. We shared many laughs, chats, glasses of wine and lovely moments with him at the bar of the 606, over so many years. He was an integral part of the club and it won't ever feel the same without him. With love and condolences to all his friends and family.

Link to 606 Club Facebook Post - an outpouring of messages about Niki from the many musicians and customers who knew him.