My ultimate icon David Bowie was born humble David Jones, in Brixton, on this day 65 years ago.
His chameleon-like career has been the stuff of legend. His influence, even five decades on from the start of his career with Space Oddity in the late 60s, is everywhere - from Bolan and Eno to Kate Bush and Gary Numan to Boy George and Marc Almond to Goldfrapp and even Madonna.
I feel the need to pay a little tribute to such a superior being.
Indeed Mr Bowie is the latest "exhibit" in the Dolores Delargo Towers - Museum of Camp.
Yes, I know I have written about my love for him before (back in 2008) but...
My adoration of Mr Bowie began many years after I had first liked one of his records (embarrassingly The Laughing Gnome in '73 - but then again, I was only 10). Of course it began when I was old enough to understand that the style and artistry of Mr Numan and of the emerging New Romantics in the late '70s and early '80s was not entirely their own idea. There was more music to explore, more to the early '70s than just Glam Rock, there was a wealth of Bowie album material to appreciate.
Hunky Dory, "Produced by Ken Scott (assisted by the actor)"
Mr B's third album (his first, self-titled and his second The Man Who Sold the World being relatively obscure) Hunky Dory was released on 17th December 1971. Long acknowledged as one of the greatest albums of the late 20th century, at the time of its release, despite critical acclaim (Melody Maker called it "the most inventive piece of song-writing to have appeared on record in a considerable time") and a fantastic single Changes (released 40 years ago yesterday), it was not a huge commercial success. To me, it is far and away his finest work:
The album cover photograph was taken outside furriers "K. West" at 23 Heddon Street, London, W1
It wasn't until the release of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars on 6th June 1972 that "Bowie the Phenomenon" really began to take over the musical world. Many and varied are the legends that allegedly led David to transform himself into the monstrous stage persona of "Ziggy", but, quite simply, there had been nothing quite like this before! And as concept albums go, it is the very best (and indeed spawned my favourite of all Bowie songs, Rock'n'Roll Suicide). Stunning.
Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth
You pull on your finger, then another finger, then your cigarette
The wall-to-wall is calling, it lingers, then you forget
Ohhh how how how, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide
You're too old to lose it, too young to choose it
And the clocks waits so patiently on your song
You walk past a cafe but you don't eat when you've lived too long
Oh, no, no, no, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide
Chev brakes are snarling as you stumble across the road
But the day breaks instead so you hurry home
Don't let the sun blast your shadow
Don't let the milk float ride your mind
You're so natural - religiously unkind
Oh no love! you're not alone
You're watching yourself but you're too unfair
You got your head all tangled up but if I could only
make you care
Oh no love! you're not alone
No matter what or who you've been
No matter when or where you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone
Just turn on with me and you're not alone
Let's turn on with me and you're not alone (wonderful)
Let's turn on and be not alone (wonderful)
Gimme your hands cause you're wonderful (wonderful)
Gimme your hands cause you're wonderful (wonderful)
Oh gimme your hands.
A lad insane?
Contrary to popular belief, it was in fact the photo used for the cover of Aladdin Sane, released on 13th April 1973, not Ziggy Stardust that people most associate with this era of Bowie's constantly-transforming image in the 70s. The album itself was (remarkably) Mr B's first Number 1, and - despite the man's near-breakdown and the "killing" of Ziggy - produced some massively-successful classics.
"A marriage of the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell and Bowie's own glam-tinged vision of a post-apocalyptic world"
In the midst of Bowie's well-documented "breakdown" (and the release of his album of cover versions Pin-Ups) he managed to produce the last, and most apocalyptic of his "dark Glam" albums Diamond Dogs, released on 24th April 1974. From it came another all-time classic:
Evidently (as always) with an eye on the zeitgeist, Bowie knew it was time for a change - and indeed it was from the ashes of the post-Glam world that he made a fateful trip to Philadelphia in 1974, home of the burgeoning "Soul" sound, and that, dear reader, is the subject of another blog...
David Bowie official website
what a brilliant and comprehensive blog on the wonder that is Dame David of Bowie.
ReplyDeleteMy own musical heros are multiple but Mr Bowie is up there, right at the top of the tree.
Going to have a look at your "exhibit" in the Museum of Camp.
xx
*Page Bookmarked* Wonderful!!! xoxoMM
ReplyDeleteThanks, boys! Part two is on its way... Jx
ReplyDeleteLove this post. While I have never really been a massive Bowie fan I have always liked a lot of his stuff - not to mention his cultural impact! I'm off now to read Part Two...
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