David Bowie

David Bowie (1967)

David Bowie Plaque, Trident Studios, London copy

Tony Defries et David Bowie

David-Bowie Early

David Bowie - TopPop 1974 08

Bowie-DD-1974-3

David Bowie (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016) was an influential British musician, actor, and record producer who had a profound impact on the world of music, fashion, and culture over a career spanning six decades. Known for his distinctive voice and eclectic work across various musical genres, Bowie is regarded as one of the most iconic figures in the history of popular music.

Early Life

David Robert Jones was born in Brixton, London, to Peggy and Haywood Stenton Jones. From a young age, Bowie showed an interest in music, which was encouraged by his parents. He learned to play the saxophone at a young age and became involved in the mod scene of London before eventually venturing into music professionally.

Career

Bowie's music career began in the mid-1960s, but he first gained major popularity with the release of "Space Oddity" in 1969, coinciding with the Apollo 11 moon landing. This song established Bowie's trend of engaging with futuristic themes and personas, which became a hallmark of his career.

Throughout the 1970s, Bowie adopted a variety of musical styles and personas, including the glam rock alter ego Ziggy Stardust, which propelled him to international fame. Albums such as The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Aladdin Sane were critical and commercial successes. Bowie's ability to reinvent himself musically and visually kept him relevant in the rapidly changing music industry of the 1970s and beyond.

In the 1980s, Bowie continued to innovate, releasing albums like Let's Dance, which featured a more commercial sound and produced hit singles such as the title track and "China Girl." During this period, Bowie also delved into acting, with notable roles in films like The Man Who Fell to Earth and Labyrinth.

Bowie's later years saw a return to experimental music, with albums like Blackstar, released just two days before his death in 2016. Blackstar was seen as Bowie's parting gift to his fans, a final innovative masterpiece that encapsulated his career's breadth and depth.

Legacy

David Bowie's influence extends beyond music; he impacted fashion, film, and culture, challenging norms and encouraging individuality and innovation. His ability to constantly reinvent himself while maintaining a high level of artistry has inspired countless artists across various disciplines.

Bowie's death in 2016 was met with worldwide tributes, reflecting his impact on multiple generations of fans and artists alike. His work continues to be celebrated for its originality, depth, and influence on the evolution of music and culture.

Discography

• The Man Who Sold the World (1970)
• Hunky Dory (1971)
• The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
• Aladdin Sane (1973)
• Diamond Dogs (1974)
• Young Americans (1975)
• Station to Station (1976)
• Low (1977)
• "Heroes" (1977)
• Lodger (1979)
• Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
• Let's Dance (1983)
• Tonight (1984)
• Never Let Me Down (1987)
• Blackstar (2016)

Filmography

• The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
• Just a Gigolo (1978)
• Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
• Labyrinth (1986)
• The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
• Basquiat (1996)