Rayogreatest hitsentertainmentmusic
David Bowie: A celebration of the much-missed icon
Here’s everything you need to know about the superstar
David Bowie© Alamy
David Bowie
Author: Julian Marszalek
Published 27th Aug 2024
Having been an indelible fixture on the pop landscape for over 50 years, it’s strange to think that David Bowie is no longer with us. The icon passed away in 2016, however tributes continue appear for him – including his face made out of cake on Great British Bake Off in 2020, something his son Duncan Jones found rather funny, along with the rest of us. And most recently in 2024, a road in Paris has now been named Rue David Bowie.
With any number of Bowie-related anniversaries being marked by fans since his passing – 35 years since Live Aid, 40 years since the release of ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’, 20 since his iconic Glastonbury headliner, 50 years since ‘Hunky Dory’ was released, and the release of a limited-edition album to mark what would have been his 77th birthday – we’re taking the time to look back at the incredible life and music of David Bowie.
The David Bowie mural in Brixton, London The David Bowie mural in Brixton, London © PA Images
Who was David Bowie?
Put simply, David Bowie was the most influential solo artist of his generation who came to define the 1970s in much the same way The Beatles did in the previous decade, and the shadow he cast across the musical landscape still reaches to this very day.
Though he’s frequently described as the “chameleon of rock” due his uncanny ability to adapt to differing styles of music and presentation, it’s more accurate to say that Bowie was more of a magpie. His real skill was in spotting trends in music, fashion and art – frequently at their embryonic stage – and re-packaging them in the pop and rock idioms.
A cultural polymath with a keen interest in art, cinema, mime, theatre, fashion and literature, David Bowie was a guiding light for generations of outsiders who identified with his outlier status. Little wonder, then, that subsequent youth cults and fans from punks to new romantics to soul boys to goths and beyond all claimed him as their own.
Where was David Bowie born?
David Bowie was born in Brixton, London, on 8 January 1947. His family moved to Bromley in 1953, and his musical epiphany occurred at the age of nine when he became smitten with Little Richard’s classic rock’n’roll single, ‘Tutti Frutti’.
Did David Bowie have different coloured eyes?
No, he didn’t. But he was left with a permanently dilated pupil when his school mate George Underwood hit him during a fight over a girl. It was this injury that gave the impression of different coloured eyes. While the identity of the girl has been lost in the mists of time, Bowie and Underwood remained lifelong friends. Indeed, Underwood was a backing vocalist throughout Bowie’s career.
What was David Bowie’s real name?
His real name was David Robert Jones. He was briefly known as Davy Jones in the 60s, but changed his name to David Bowie to avoid being confused with The Monkees singer Davy Jones
David Bowie’s incredible career
From his early career through to the ongoing celebrations of his life and career today, check out some of the most memorable David Bowie moments.
David Bowie’s childhood home
David Bowie – born David Jones – lived at 40 Stansfield Road in Brixton until he was six-years-old.
1960s – David Bowie in Davy Jones and The Lower Third
Before he became the music legend known as David Bowie, he went by Davy Jones. After being part of several bands in his teenage years, the singer was part of blues trio Davy Jones and The Lower Third.
1967 – David Bowie shares ‘The Laughing Gnome’
David Bowie then pursued a solo career and in 1967 he released ‘The Laughing Gnome’ as a novelty single, which follows a conversation David has with a gnome. It was re-released in 1973 and it made it to Number 6 on the UK Charts.
1969 – David Bowie releases ‘Space Oddity’
David Bowie had his first big hit with ‘Space Oddity’ in 1969. It gained popularity as it was used by the BBC alongside footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing. This song was inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
A reissue of the track ‘Space Oddity’ in 1975 gave the musician his first UK Number 1.
1970 – David Bowie releases ‘The Man Who Sold The World’
Following the success of ‘Space Oddity’, his 1970 album ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ helped catapult David Bowie to international recognition.
1971 – David Bowie releases ‘Hunky Dory’
Following his ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ album, David Bowie took some time off from touring and recording and focused on writing. He created his fourth studio album ‘Hunky Dory’ in 1971 which included the hugely popular tracks ‘Changes’ and ‘Life on Mars?’, as well as songs inspired by Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan.
1972 – David Bowie releases ‘The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars’
As he grew in fame, David Bowie took on the persona of Ziggy Stardust. He saw Ziggy as a doomed rockstar who performed with backing group The Spiders From Mars. He released ‘The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars’ album in 1972 and it shot David to stardom.
1973 – David Bowie releases ‘Aladdin Sane’
David Bowie put an end to his iconic Ziggy Stardust persona in 1973 to instead become Aladdin Sane. His extensive touring across the US influenced the glam-rock album and the character Aladdin Sane, who he described as an American-influenced version of Ziggy Stardust.
1976 – David Bowie appears in The Man Who Fell To Earth
As it turns out, David Bowie’s talents didn’t just lie with music, and in 1976 he starred in The Man Who Fell To Earth. He appeared as alien Thomas Jerome Newton in the sci-fi drama.
1977 – 1979 – David Bowie releases ‘The Berlin Trilogy’
From 1977 to 1979, David Bowie released the albums ‘Low’, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Lodger’ as part of ‘The Berlin Trilogy’.
The albums were worked on after his move from the US to Europe, with recording taking place in France, Switzerland, and Germany as well as New York.
Although these are not his most commercially successful albums, they are critically acclaimed and have been influential for other artists.
1980 – The Elephant Man
David Bowie also tried his hand at acting on stage and took on a role in The Elephant Man on Broadway from July 1980 to January 1981.
1983 – David Bowie releases ‘Let’s Dance’
David Bowie brought out his dance-pop album ‘Let’s Dance’ in 1983 and it was a huge commercial success, topping the UK Charts for three weeks. The album was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1984.
Nile Rodgers, who produced the title track, said of the song: “When David wrote those lyrics, he was talking about the dance that people do in life; the conceptual dance of not being honest. He sings, ‘put on your red shoes and dance the blues.’ Like you’re pretending to be happy but you’re sad.”
1986 – David Bowie stars in Labyrinth
One of David Bowie’s most famous and iconic film roles has to be Jareth the Goblin King in the classic 80s film Labyrinth, which came out in 1986.
1988 – David Bowie fronts Tin Machine
While he juggled acting and music throughout the 80s, David Bowie came to work with musicians Reeves Gabrels and Tony and Hunt Sales in a side project called Tin Machine. The group brought out the albums ‘Tin Machine’ (1989) and ‘Tin Machine II’ (1991).
1996 – David Bowie is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
David Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 by David Byrne of Talking Heads. Of his induction, the Rock Hall said: ‘Bowie’s fifty-year career is one of constant evolution, brilliant innovation, and enduring artistry. His legacy endures as one of a talent that defied form and a man who defied definition.’
1997 – David Bowie receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
One year after his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, David Bowie was awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2000 – David Bowie performs at Glastonbury
David Bowie’s performance at Glastonbury Festival in 2000 is regarded as one of the most incredible headlining slots at the festival, as well as a career-defining moment for the musician.
He played songs like ‘Starman’, ‘China Girl’ and ‘Under Pressure’ and also released his performance as a live album.
2004 – David Bowie goes on his final tour
David Bowie went on what would be his final tour in 2004. The ‘A Reality Tour’ took him across Europe, North America, Asia, New Zealand and Australia and was the longest tour of his career.
While at one of his shows, he suffered a heart attack on stage which led him to retire from performing live in 2006.
2006 – David Bowie receives the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
As well as being nominated for 16 Grammy Awards and winning five of them throughout his career, in 2006 David Bowie was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
2013 – David Bowie returns to music with ‘The Next Day’
Following a break from the public eye and recording, David Bowie returned in 2013 with his 25th studio album ‘The Next Day’.
2016 – David Bowie releases his final album
In January 2016, on his 69th birthday, Davie Bowie released the album ‘Blackstar’. The album had been recorded in secret and was the last music released by the music legend as he sadly passed away just two days after it came out.
2016 – Tributes paid to David Bowie following his death
Following his tragic death, friends and fans of the music legend were shocked and saddened by the news and tributes came pouring in from across the world.
As many people were in disbelief over the announcement, David’s son Duncan Jones confirmed the news, sharing a photo of himself with his father and writing: ‘Very sorry and sad to say it’s true’.
Fellow musician Bruce Springsteen Tweeted: ‘Over here on E Street, we’re feeling the great loss of David Bowie. David was a visionary artist and an early supporter of our music.’
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones wrote: ‘We had so many good times together. He was my friend, I will never forget him’.
Madonna added a tribute, writing: ‘Talented. Unique. Genius. Game Changer.’
Tony Visconti, who produced a number of David Bowie’s albums wrote in a statement: ‘His death was no different from his life – a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn’t, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us.’
2021 – David Bowie’s New York home sells for $16.8 million.
When news of David Bowie’s sad death reached fans, they flocked to his flat in New York to create a memorial.
He had bought the property in 1999, and in 2021 the property sold for a whopping $16.8 million (£12,110,280).
Following his death, David Bowie’s childhood home also became a shrine for the music legend.
2021 – David Bowie’s ‘Toy’ album is released
In 2021, David Bowie’s estate posthumously released his album ‘Toy’. The singer had recorded the album in 2000 and it includes re-recordings of some of his 1964 and 1971 tracks as well as some new songs.
The album was originally meant to be released in 2001 but was shelved for financial reasons. It remained unheard until it was leaked in 2011. It was officially released for the first time in November 2021 as part of a box set and the album made it to Number 5 on the UK Albums Chart.
2022 – David Bowie’s estate sells his entire music catalogue
In January, it was announced that David Bowie’s entire music catalogue had been sold to Warner Chappell Music. Although the exact figure wasn’t revealed, it’s thought that the sale was for upwards of £185million.
The sale includes all 26 of his studio albums as well as the posthumous album ‘Toy’.
2022 – Madame Tussauds creates second David Bowie waxwork
Having worked with Madame Tussauds to create an accurate waxwork in 1983, the museum announced that they had created a new waxwork based on David Bowie’s famous 70s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.
General Manager at Madame Tussauds London Tim Waters said of the addition to their collection: “We were honoured to work with his estate in what would have been his 75th year and play our small part in keeping his inimitable legacy alive for generations to come.”
2022 – Moonage Daydream
In April a new film following the incredible life and career of David Bowie was announced. With previously unseen footage from his decade-spanning career, Moonage Daydream has been made in collaboration with David Bowie’s estate.
Described as an “experiential cinematic odyssey”, the film is set to hit cineams on 16th September.
2022 – Mattel makes a David Bowie Barbie doll
Inspired by David Bowie’s look in his ‘Life on Mars?’ music video, Mattel released a specially designed Barbie doll, complete with replicated powder-blue suit, platform shoes, hair and make-up to match his outfit in the video.
The release celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ‘Hunky Dory’ album.
2022 – David Bowie is voted Britain’s most influential artist of the past 50 years
In August, it was announced that David Bowie had topped the Sky Arts list of 50 influential artists from the past 50 years.
To mark the acheivement, Sky Arts commissioned artist Joe Black to create artwork of David Bowie. He made a huge portrait of the musician using 8,610 plectrums.
2022 – David Bowie receives a stone on the Music Walk of Fame
In September 2022, David Bowie received a stone on the Music Walk of Fame. The event was attended by many friends, collaborators and fans of the late singer.
2022 – David Bowie’s son recreates his intro to The Snowman
In December 2022, David Bowie’s son Duncan Jones recreated the intro to The Snowman film that his dad had recorded in 1984 using the same scarf from the iconic video.
Having found the scarf in 2020, Duncan paid tribute to his father in the recreation of the video with his own spin on the story, saying: “When I was a little lad, my dad used to tell me a story about when he was little, he had a friend who was a snowman. He was such a good friend that one day he gave him a gift.
“I always thought that that story was made up but then one day when I got a bit older my dad gave me that gift and it was a beautiful blue scarf. And now I wonder if maybe the story was true? Merry Christmas everyone.”
2023 – David Bowie’s 80,000-piece archive to go on public display
David Bowie’s 80,000-piece archive was announced to go on public display at the V&A Museum.
The vast array of items include handwritten lyrics, letters, sheet music, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, musical instruments, album artwork and awards from David Bowie’s fabled six-decade career.
2024 – Rue David Bowie © Alamy
The first street in the world to be named after David Bowie has officially opened in Paris. Rue David Bowie is located at the intersection with Avenue Pierre-Mendès-France in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, a vibrant cultural quarter of the French capital.
Did David Bowie invent glam rock?
Not quite, but this is where Bowie’s magpie tendencies bloomed. Despite some false starts in the 1960s (‘Space Oddity’ had him down as a one-hit wonder, while the proto-metal of ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ didn’t quite suit), David Bowie properly broke through with his fifth album, 1972’s ‘The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars’.
While its predecessor, ‘Hunky Dory’ (1971), was a very much a dry run for what followed, Bowie’s creation – the bisexual alien, Ziggy Stardust – saw him creating a new flamboyant image that rode in on the wake of his friend and rival, Marc Bolan of T-Rex. Bowie’s seminal performance of ‘Starman’ on Top Of The Pops in July 1972 is the moment he broke through.
Bowie killed off Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1973, shortly after the release of ‘Aladdin Sane’. His other glam albums were ‘Pin Ups’ and ‘Diamond Dogs’. He also managed to sprinkle production glitter on Lou Reed’s ‘Transformer’ album (which contained the hit ‘Walk On The Wild Side’) and Iggy And The Stooges’ proto-punk album, ‘Raw Power’.
Ziggy Stardust: he took it all too far, but boy, could he play guitar
What was plastic soul?
Bored of glam, Bowie spotted the early rise of disco and Philly soul, moved to the US and re-invented himself as a soul singer. Working with a brand-new band and collaborating with John Lennon on the hit single, ‘Fame’, Bowie made no pretence at being the real thing and so dubbed the resulting album, ‘Young Americans’ (1975), as “plastic soul”. That said, it was good enough to be featured on US variety show, ‘Soul Train’.
This was swiftly followed by the creation of his next character, the cold and distant The Thin White Duke, and the release of ‘Station To Station’ (1976).
The Berlin Trilogy
Having become aware of the forward-thinking music emerging from Germany in the shape of Kraftwerk, Neu!, Can and others, and wanting to curb his monstrous abuse of cocaine, David Bowie re-settled in West Berlin. Taking Iggy Pop with him, Bowie hooked up with ambient pioneer Brian Eno and producer Tony Visconti.
Together, they distilled the influence of so-called ‘Krautock’ and packaged it as pop. This fecund period saw the release of ‘Low’, ‘Heroes’ (both 1977) and ‘Lodger’ (1979). And if that wasn’t productive enough, he also found time to produce Iggy Pop’s first two classic solo albums, ‘The Idiot’ and ‘Lust For Life’, also in 1977.
New Romantics And The 80s
The 1980s started on a high for Bowie. Embracing the nascent video age, the promo for No. 1 single, ‘Ashes To Ashes’, saw him give his blessing to the emerging the New Romantics with a guest appearance by Blitz kid Steve Strange and others. Its parent album, ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’, topped the UK charts and spawned the singles ‘Fashion’ and ‘Up The Hill Backwards’.
Despite scoring huge international hits with ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Modern Love’ and ‘China Girl’ in 1983, the rest of the decade saw an artistic decline that dismayed many hardcore fans with albums ‘Tonight’ (1984) and ‘Never Let Me Down’ (1987) failing to pass muster. And despite having a few highlights with rockers Tin Machine and their eponymous 1989, no one was really convinced by a bearded, suited Bowie having a go at alt.rock.
But for all that, his four-song set at Live Aid in 1985 atoned for many of his sins.
David Bowie was the highlight for many at Live Aid in 1985
David Bowie’s artistic re-birth and the 90s
Having worked with Nile Rodgers on 1993’s ‘Black Tie White Noise’, Bowie’s muse was arguably re-activated on the little known 1993 album, ‘The Buddha Of Suburbia’. Inspired by author Hanif Kureishi’s book and TV adaptation of the same name, the book’s theme of escaping the commuter belt struck a chord with Bowie.
This mis-marketed album bombed, but a re-invigorated Bowie teamed up once again with Brian Eno to produce the industrial rock of ‘1. Outside’ in 1995.
1997.s experimental ‘Earthling’ touched upon drum’n’bass, while the laid back ‘Hours’ (1999) reconnected him with a wider audience.
Headlining Glastonbury in 2000
Despite doing his best to avoid being viewed as a heritage acts, David Bowie’s hit-packed Glastonbury headliner in 2000 did much to re-establish him not just in the eyes of his hardcore fans, but also with the general public. But it also gave Bowie a much-needed artistic jolt that resulted in the creditable albums ‘Heathen’ (2002) and ‘Reality’ (2003), which satisfied both sets of fans.
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Rayogreatest hitsentertainmentmusic
David Bowie: A celebration of the much-missed icon
Here’s everything you need to know about the superstar
David Bowie© Alamy
David Bowie
Author: Julian Marszalek
Published 27th Aug 2024
Having been an indelible fixture on the pop landscape for over 50 years, it’s strange to think that David Bowie is no longer with us. The icon passed away in 2016, however tributes continue appear for him – including his face made out of cake on Great British Bake Off in 2020, something his son Duncan Jones found rather funny, along with the rest of us. And most recently in 2024, a road in Paris has now been named Rue David Bowie.
With any number of Bowie-related anniversaries being marked by fans since his passing – 35 years since Live Aid, 40 years since the release of ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’, 20 since his iconic Glastonbury headliner, 50 years since ‘Hunky Dory’ was released, and the release of a limited-edition album to mark what would have been his 77th birthday – we’re taking the time to look back at the incredible life and music of David Bowie.
The David Bowie mural in Brixton, London The David Bowie mural in Brixton, London © PA Images
Who was David Bowie?
Put simply, David Bowie was the most influential solo artist of his generation who came to define the 1970s in much the same way The Beatles did in the previous decade, and the shadow he cast across the musical landscape still reaches to this very day.
Though he’s frequently described as the “chameleon of rock” due his uncanny ability to adapt to differing styles of music and presentation, it’s more accurate to say that Bowie was more of a magpie. His real skill was in spotting trends in music, fashion and art – frequently at their embryonic stage – and re-packaging them in the pop and rock idioms.
A cultural polymath with a keen interest in art, cinema, mime, theatre, fashion and literature, David Bowie was a guiding light for generations of outsiders who identified with his outlier status. Little wonder, then, that subsequent youth cults and fans from punks to new romantics to soul boys to goths and beyond all claimed him as their own.
Where was David Bowie born?
David Bowie was born in Brixton, London, on 8 January 1947. His family moved to Bromley in 1953, and his musical epiphany occurred at the age of nine when he became smitten with Little Richard’s classic rock’n’roll single, ‘Tutti Frutti’.
Did David Bowie have different coloured eyes?
No, he didn’t. But he was left with a permanently dilated pupil when his school mate George Underwood hit him during a fight over a girl. It was this injury that gave the impression of different coloured eyes. While the identity of the girl has been lost in the mists of time, Bowie and Underwood remained lifelong friends. Indeed, Underwood was a backing vocalist throughout Bowie’s career.
What was David Bowie’s real name?
His real name was David Robert Jones. He was briefly known as Davy Jones in the 60s, but changed his name to David Bowie to avoid being confused with The Monkees singer Davy Jones
David Bowie’s incredible career
From his early career through to the ongoing celebrations of his life and career today, check out some of the most memorable David Bowie moments.
David Bowie’s childhood home
David Bowie – born David Jones – lived at 40 Stansfield Road in Brixton until he was six-years-old.
1960s – David Bowie in Davy Jones and The Lower Third
Before he became the music legend known as David Bowie, he went by Davy Jones. After being part of several bands in his teenage years, the singer was part of blues trio Davy Jones and The Lower Third.
1967 – David Bowie shares ‘The Laughing Gnome’
David Bowie then pursued a solo career and in 1967 he released ‘The Laughing Gnome’ as a novelty single, which follows a conversation David has with a gnome. It was re-released in 1973 and it made it to Number 6 on the UK Charts.
1969 – David Bowie releases ‘Space Oddity’
David Bowie had his first big hit with ‘Space Oddity’ in 1969. It gained popularity as it was used by the BBC alongside footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing. This song was inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
A reissue of the track ‘Space Oddity’ in 1975 gave the musician his first UK Number 1.
1970 – David Bowie releases ‘The Man Who Sold The World’
Following the success of ‘Space Oddity’, his 1970 album ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ helped catapult David Bowie to international recognition.
1971 – David Bowie releases ‘Hunky Dory’
Following his ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ album, David Bowie took some time off from touring and recording and focused on writing. He created his fourth studio album ‘Hunky Dory’ in 1971 which included the hugely popular tracks ‘Changes’ and ‘Life on Mars?’, as well as songs inspired by Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan.
1972 – David Bowie releases ‘The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars’
As he grew in fame, David Bowie took on the persona of Ziggy Stardust. He saw Ziggy as a doomed rockstar who performed with backing group The Spiders From Mars. He released ‘The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars’ album in 1972 and it shot David to stardom.
1973 – David Bowie releases ‘Aladdin Sane’
David Bowie put an end to his iconic Ziggy Stardust persona in 1973 to instead become Aladdin Sane. His extensive touring across the US influenced the glam-rock album and the character Aladdin Sane, who he described as an American-influenced version of Ziggy Stardust.
1976 – David Bowie appears in The Man Who Fell To Earth
As it turns out, David Bowie’s talents didn’t just lie with music, and in 1976 he starred in The Man Who Fell To Earth. He appeared as alien Thomas Jerome Newton in the sci-fi drama.
1977 – 1979 – David Bowie releases ‘The Berlin Trilogy’
From 1977 to 1979, David Bowie released the albums ‘Low’, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Lodger’ as part of ‘The Berlin Trilogy’.
The albums were worked on after his move from the US to Europe, with recording taking place in France, Switzerland, and Germany as well as New York.
Although these are not his most commercially successful albums, they are critically acclaimed and have been influential for other artists.
1980 – The Elephant Man
David Bowie also tried his hand at acting on stage and took on a role in The Elephant Man on Broadway from July 1980 to January 1981.
1983 – David Bowie releases ‘Let’s Dance’
David Bowie brought out his dance-pop album ‘Let’s Dance’ in 1983 and it was a huge commercial success, topping the UK Charts for three weeks. The album was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1984.
Nile Rodgers, who produced the title track, said of the song: “When David wrote those lyrics, he was talking about the dance that people do in life; the conceptual dance of not being honest. He sings, ‘put on your red shoes and dance the blues.’ Like you’re pretending to be happy but you’re sad.”
1986 – David Bowie stars in Labyrinth
One of David Bowie’s most famous and iconic film roles has to be Jareth the Goblin King in the classic 80s film Labyrinth, which came out in 1986.
1988 – David Bowie fronts Tin Machine
While he juggled acting and music throughout the 80s, David Bowie came to work with musicians Reeves Gabrels and Tony and Hunt Sales in a side project called Tin Machine. The group brought out the albums ‘Tin Machine’ (1989) and ‘Tin Machine II’ (1991).
1996 – David Bowie is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
David Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 by David Byrne of Talking Heads. Of his induction, the Rock Hall said: ‘Bowie’s fifty-year career is one of constant evolution, brilliant innovation, and enduring artistry. His legacy endures as one of a talent that defied form and a man who defied definition.’
1997 – David Bowie receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
One year after his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, David Bowie was awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2000 – David Bowie performs at Glastonbury
David Bowie’s performance at Glastonbury Festival in 2000 is regarded as one of the most incredible headlining slots at the festival, as well as a career-defining moment for the musician.
He played songs like ‘Starman’, ‘China Girl’ and ‘Under Pressure’ and also released his performance as a live album.
2004 – David Bowie goes on his final tour
David Bowie went on what would be his final tour in 2004. The ‘A Reality Tour’ took him across Europe, North America, Asia, New Zealand and Australia and was the longest tour of his career.
While at one of his shows, he suffered a heart attack on stage which led him to retire from performing live in 2006.
2006 – David Bowie receives the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
As well as being nominated for 16 Grammy Awards and winning five of them throughout his career, in 2006 David Bowie was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
2013 – David Bowie returns to music with ‘The Next Day’
Following a break from the public eye and recording, David Bowie returned in 2013 with his 25th studio album ‘The Next Day’.
2016 – David Bowie releases his final album
In January 2016, on his 69th birthday, Davie Bowie released the album ‘Blackstar’. The album had been recorded in secret and was the last music released by the music legend as he sadly passed away just two days after it came out.
2016 – Tributes paid to David Bowie following his death
Following his tragic death, friends and fans of the music legend were shocked and saddened by the news and tributes came pouring in from across the world.
As many people were in disbelief over the announcement, David’s son Duncan Jones confirmed the news, sharing a photo of himself with his father and writing: ‘Very sorry and sad to say it’s true’.
Fellow musician Bruce Springsteen Tweeted: ‘Over here on E Street, we’re feeling the great loss of David Bowie. David was a visionary artist and an early supporter of our music.’
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones wrote: ‘We had so many good times together. He was my friend, I will never forget him’.
Madonna added a tribute, writing: ‘Talented. Unique. Genius. Game Changer.’
Tony Visconti, who produced a number of David Bowie’s albums wrote in a statement: ‘His death was no different from his life – a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn’t, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us.’
2021 – David Bowie’s New York home sells for $16.8 million.
When news of David Bowie’s sad death reached fans, they flocked to his flat in New York to create a memorial.
He had bought the property in 1999, and in 2021 the property sold for a whopping $16.8 million (£12,110,280).
Following his death, David Bowie’s childhood home also became a shrine for the music legend.
2021 – David Bowie’s ‘Toy’ album is released
In 2021, David Bowie’s estate posthumously released his album ‘Toy’. The singer had recorded the album in 2000 and it includes re-recordings of some of his 1964 and 1971 tracks as well as some new songs.
The album was originally meant to be released in 2001 but was shelved for financial reasons. It remained unheard until it was leaked in 2011. It was officially released for the first time in November 2021 as part of a box set and the album made it to Number 5 on the UK Albums Chart.
2022 – David Bowie’s estate sells his entire music catalogue
In January, it was announced that David Bowie’s entire music catalogue had been sold to Warner Chappell Music. Although the exact figure wasn’t revealed, it’s thought that the sale was for upwards of £185million.
The sale includes all 26 of his studio albums as well as the posthumous album ‘Toy’.
2022 – Madame Tussauds creates second David Bowie waxwork
Having worked with Madame Tussauds to create an accurate waxwork in 1983, the museum announced that they had created a new waxwork based on David Bowie’s famous 70s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.
General Manager at Madame Tussauds London Tim Waters said of the addition to their collection: “We were honoured to work with his estate in what would have been his 75th year and play our small part in keeping his inimitable legacy alive for generations to come.”
2022 – Moonage Daydream
In April a new film following the incredible life and career of David Bowie was announced. With previously unseen footage from his decade-spanning career, Moonage Daydream has been made in collaboration with David Bowie’s estate.
Described as an “experiential cinematic odyssey”, the film is set to hit cineams on 16th September.
2022 – Mattel makes a David Bowie Barbie doll
Inspired by David Bowie’s look in his ‘Life on Mars?’ music video, Mattel released a specially designed Barbie doll, complete with replicated powder-blue suit, platform shoes, hair and make-up to match his outfit in the video.
The release celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ‘Hunky Dory’ album.
2022 – David Bowie is voted Britain’s most influential artist of the past 50 years
In August, it was announced that David Bowie had topped the Sky Arts list of 50 influential artists from the past 50 years.
To mark the acheivement, Sky Arts commissioned artist Joe Black to create artwork of David Bowie. He made a huge portrait of the musician using 8,610 plectrums.
2022 – David Bowie receives a stone on the Music Walk of Fame
In September 2022, David Bowie received a stone on the Music Walk of Fame. The event was attended by many friends, collaborators and fans of the late singer.
2022 – David Bowie’s son recreates his intro to The Snowman
In December 2022, David Bowie’s son Duncan Jones recreated the intro to The Snowman film that his dad had recorded in 1984 using the same scarf from the iconic video.
Having found the scarf in 2020, Duncan paid tribute to his father in the recreation of the video with his own spin on the story, saying: “When I was a little lad, my dad used to tell me a story about when he was little, he had a friend who was a snowman. He was such a good friend that one day he gave him a gift.
“I always thought that that story was made up but then one day when I got a bit older my dad gave me that gift and it was a beautiful blue scarf. And now I wonder if maybe the story was true? Merry Christmas everyone.”
2023 – David Bowie’s 80,000-piece archive to go on public display
David Bowie’s 80,000-piece archive was announced to go on public display at the V&A Museum.
The vast array of items include handwritten lyrics, letters, sheet music, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, musical instruments, album artwork and awards from David Bowie’s fabled six-decade career.
2024 – Rue David Bowie © Alamy
The first street in the world to be named after David Bowie has officially opened in Paris. Rue David Bowie is located at the intersection with Avenue Pierre-Mendès-France in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, a vibrant cultural quarter of the French capital.
Did David Bowie invent glam rock?
Not quite, but this is where Bowie’s magpie tendencies bloomed. Despite some false starts in the 1960s (‘Space Oddity’ had him down as a one-hit wonder, while the proto-metal of ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ didn’t quite suit), David Bowie properly broke through with his fifth album, 1972’s ‘The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars’.
While its predecessor, ‘Hunky Dory’ (1971), was a very much a dry run for what followed, Bowie’s creation – the bisexual alien, Ziggy Stardust – saw him creating a new flamboyant image that rode in on the wake of his friend and rival, Marc Bolan of T-Rex. Bowie’s seminal performance of ‘Starman’ on Top Of The Pops in July 1972 is the moment he broke through.
Bowie killed off Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1973, shortly after the release of ‘Aladdin Sane’. His other glam albums were ‘Pin Ups’ and ‘Diamond Dogs’. He also managed to sprinkle production glitter on Lou Reed’s ‘Transformer’ album (which contained the hit ‘Walk On The Wild Side’) and Iggy And The Stooges’ proto-punk album, ‘Raw Power’.
Ziggy Stardust: he took it all too far, but boy, could he play guitar
What was plastic soul?
Bored of glam, Bowie spotted the early rise of disco and Philly soul, moved to the US and re-invented himself as a soul singer. Working with a brand-new band and collaborating with John Lennon on the hit single, ‘Fame’, Bowie made no pretence at being the real thing and so dubbed the resulting album, ‘Young Americans’ (1975), as “plastic soul”. That said, it was good enough to be featured on US variety show, ‘Soul Train’.
This was swiftly followed by the creation of his next character, the cold and distant The Thin White Duke, and the release of ‘Station To Station’ (1976).
The Berlin Trilogy
Having become aware of the forward-thinking music emerging from Germany in the shape of Kraftwerk, Neu!, Can and others, and wanting to curb his monstrous abuse of cocaine, David Bowie re-settled in West Berlin. Taking Iggy Pop with him, Bowie hooked up with ambient pioneer Brian Eno and producer Tony Visconti.
Together, they distilled the influence of so-called ‘Krautock’ and packaged it as pop. This fecund period saw the release of ‘Low’, ‘Heroes’ (both 1977) and ‘Lodger’ (1979). And if that wasn’t productive enough, he also found time to produce Iggy Pop’s first two classic solo albums, ‘The Idiot’ and ‘Lust For Life’, also in 1977.
New Romantics And The 80s
The 1980s started on a high for Bowie. Embracing the nascent video age, the promo for No. 1 single, ‘Ashes To Ashes’, saw him give his blessing to the emerging the New Romantics with a guest appearance by Blitz kid Steve Strange and others. Its parent album, ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’, topped the UK charts and spawned the singles ‘Fashion’ and ‘Up The Hill Backwards’.
Despite scoring huge international hits with ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Modern Love’ and ‘China Girl’ in 1983, the rest of the decade saw an artistic decline that dismayed many hardcore fans with albums ‘Tonight’ (1984) and ‘Never Let Me Down’ (1987) failing to pass muster. And despite having a few highlights with rockers Tin Machine and their eponymous 1989, no one was really convinced by a bearded, suited Bowie having a go at alt.rock.
But for all that, his four-song set at Live Aid in 1985 atoned for many of his sins.
David Bowie was the highlight for many at Live Aid in 1985
David Bowie’s artistic re-birth and the 90s
Having worked with Nile Rodgers on 1993’s ‘Black Tie White Noise’, Bowie’s muse was arguably re-activated on the little known 1993 album, ‘The Buddha Of Suburbia’. Inspired by author Hanif Kureishi’s book and TV adaptation of the same name, the book’s theme of escaping the commuter belt struck a chord with Bowie.
This mis-marketed album bombed, but a re-invigorated Bowie teamed up once again with Brian Eno to produce the industrial rock of ‘1. Outside’ in 1995.
1997.s experimental ‘Earthling’ touched upon drum’n’bass, while the laid back ‘Hours’ (1999) reconnected him with a wider audience.
Headlining Glastonbury in 2000
Despite doing his best to avoid being viewed as a heritage acts, David Bowie’s hit-packed Glastonbury headliner in 2000 did much to re-establish him not just in the eyes of his hardcore fans, but also with the general public. But it also gave Bowie a much-needed artistic jolt that resulted in the creditable albums ‘Heathen’ (2002) and ‘Reality’ (2003), which satisfied both sets of fans.
David Bowie headlining Glastonbury in 2000
Was David Bowie married?
David Bowie was married twice. His first wife was Angie Bowie (nee Mary Angela Barnett) and they tied the knot in 1970. They later divorced in 1980 after several years of separation.
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He then married Somali-America0
Was David Bowie married?
David Bowie was married twice. His first wife was Angie Bowie (nee Mary Angela Barnett) and they tied the knot in 1970. They later divorced in 1980 after several years of separation.
He then married Somali-America
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