David Bowie

David Bowie

ABOUT

David Bowie, born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947, in Brixton, London, England, was a singular figure in the history of popular music and one of the most influential musicians, songwriters, and actors of the 20th and 21st centuries. Known for his distinctive voice, eclectic music style, and innovative fashion sense, Bowie was a cultural chameleon who continuously reinvented himself throughout his five-decade career. From the futuristic glam rock of Ziggy Stardust to the introspective Berlin Trilogy and beyond, Bowie's work crossed and blended genres, establishing him as a pioneer in rock and roll, art rock, soul, hard rock, dance pop, punk, and electronica.

BEFORE FAME

David Bowie's early musical journey began at Bromley Technical High School, where his interest in music was fostered by an encouraging art teacher. His first foray into the music scene was in school bands, such as The Konrads, The King Bees, and The Manish Boys, but it wasn’t until he began performing as a solo artist that he started to gain recognition. He adopted the stage name "Bowie" to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees. His eponymous debut album, released in 1967, met with little commercial success, but his 1969 release, "Space Oddity," skyrocketed him to fame with its title track becoming a hit single.

TRIVIA

• David Bowie designed the character Ziggy Stardust, a glam rock alien alter ego, which he debuted on his 1972 album, "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars."
• His right eye appears to be a different color from his left due to a condition called anisocoria, a result of a fight in his youth which left his pupil permanently dilated.
• Bowie starred in numerous films, including "The Man Who Fell to Earth" (1976), "Labyrinth" (1986), and "The Prestige" (2006).
• He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
• Bowie's final album, "Blackstar," released just two days before his death on January 10, 2016, was critically acclaimed and is considered a powerful farewell to his fans.

FAMILY LIFE

David Bowie was married twice. His first marriage was to Angela Barnett in 1970, with whom he had one son, Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones, born in 1971. The couple divorced in 1980. Bowie later married Somali-American model Iman in 1992. The couple had one daughter, Alexandria "Lexi" Zahra Jones, born in 2000. Bowie maintained a close, cherished relationship with his family, despite his public persona and demanding career.

ASSOCIATED WITH

David Bowie's collaborations and associations span a wide range of legendary artists and musicians. He worked closely with guitarist Mick Ronson during the Ziggy Stardust era and frequently collaborated with producer Tony Visconti. His work with Brian Eno during the Berlin Trilogy (which includes the albums "Low," "Heroes," and "Lodger") brought a fresh, avant-garde sound to his music. Bowie also notably collaborated with Queen on the hit single "Under Pressure" and had a successful partnership with Nile Rodgers, which produced the hit album "Let's Dance." His influence on artists like Madonna, Lady Gaga, and countless others underscores his lasting legacy in the world of music and beyond.

David Bowie remains a towering figure in music history, celebrated for his visionary creativity and his ability to transcend the conventional boundaries of art and self-expression.