David Bowie Rock 'n' Roll Chameleon

by Popoff, Martin

• ISBN13: 9780760389355
• ISBN10: 0760389357
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2024-09-17
• Publisher: Motorbooks

Summary

This value-priced reissue of Bowie at 75 (2022) celebrates the beloved rock star with expert commentary, hundreds of images, and an illustrated gatefold timeline.

Hendrix, Joplin, Mercury…few rock artists garner as much adulation after passing as they did in life. In David Bowie, veteran rock journalist Martin Popoff examines the rocker’s extraordinary life through the lens of 75 significant career achievements and life events, guiding you through all 27 studio albums, as well as a curated selection of earworm singles. But Popoff delves deeper to reveal the events that helped chart the course of Bowie’s career:
 

• Guest appearances with artists like Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Tina Turner, and Queen
• Key performances such as Live Aid
• Collaborations with an incredible roster of guitarists that included Mick Ronson, Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nile Rodgers, and Earl Slick
• Film and television roles
• Romance…and more.

From his eponymous 1967 debut LP and ending with Blackstar, released just two days before his death, Bowie is regarded as one of the most influential musicians and performers of the previous five decades, during which he constantly redefined himself. In examining 75 touchstones, Popoff gives you a unique view of Bowie’s career arc from folkie to the breakthrough single “Space Oddity” to his flamboyant glam rock alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, and beyond.

Illustrated with live concert and candid offstage photography as well as memorabilia including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, and more, this incredible package also includes a gatefold timeline, making for a stunning tribute to one of the most influential and admired stars in rock history.

Author Biography

Working out of Toronto, Canada, Martin Popoff (martinpopoff.com) has penned more than 100 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock, and record collecting, including Rush: The Illustrated History, Led Zeppelin: Song by Song, Pink Floyd: Album by Album, Bowie at 75, AC/DC at 50, Kiss at 50, and In the Groove. In addition, he has appeared in Revolver, Guitar World, Goldmine, RecordCollector, bravewords.com, lollipop.com, and hardradio.com. Martin also worked on the award-winning documentaries Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage and ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas for Banger Films.

Table of Contents

“Scream Like a Baby:” David Robert Jones is born in London, England.
January 8, 1947
 
“Teenage Wildlife:” Bromley Technical High School
1958
 
“Boys Keep Swinging:” David receives the punch seen ‘round the world from school chum George Underwood.
January 1962
 
“There Is a Happy Land:” Bowie sees the release of his first record, a single called “Liza Jane,” credited to Davie Jones & The King Bees.
June 5, 1964
 
“Silly Boy Blue:” David Bowie issues his debut album.
June 1, 1967
 
“Moonage Daydream:” Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon.
July 11, 1969 (release date of “Space Oddity” single), July 20, 1969 (the moonwalk),
 
“Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud:” David Bowie issues his second album, also a self-titled.
November 14, 1969 (release date second David Bowie album, a.k.a. Space Oddity)
 
“All the Young Dudes:” Bowie and Mick Ronson perform live together for the first time.
February 5, 1970 (BBC session)
 
“Rebel Rebel:” David marries Angela Barnett.
March 12, 1970
 
“Sons of the Silent Age:” The Man Who Sold the World
November 4, 1970
 
“All the Madmen:” David meets Iggy Pop and Lou Reed on the US tour for The Man Who Sold the World.
Early 1971 (tour of the US)
 
“Lady Stardust:” Hunky Dory
December 17, 1971
 
“It’s No Game:” David Bowie tells Melody Maker magazine that he is gay.
January 22, 1972
 
“Across the Universe:” The rise of Ziggy Stardust
June 2, 1972 (release date of Ziggy Stardust), July 6, 1972 (“Starman” on Top of the Pops)
 
“The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell:” David produces Iggy and the Stooges’ Raw Power.
February 7, 1973
 
“Slip Away:” Aladdin Sane
April 13, 1973
 
“Here Comes the Night:” David Bowie “retires.”
July 3, 1973
 
“I’m Dreaming My Life:” Pin Ups
October 19, 1973
 
“A New Career in a New Town:” Ex-Pat
March 29, 1974 (moves away from Britain, never to reside there again)
 
“We Are the Dead:” Plastic Soul Pt. I
May 24, 1974 (release date of Diamond Dogs)
 
“Where Have All the Good Times Gone:” David Live
October 29, 1974
 
“I Can’t Explain:” David appears on The Dick Cavett Show.
December 5, 1974
 
“She’ll Drive the Big Car:” BBC airs Alan Yentob’s Bowie documentary Cracked Actor.
January 26, 1975
 
“Sweet Thing:” Plastic Soul Pt. II
March 7, 1975 (release date of Young Americans)
 
“Bring Me the Disco King:” David has his first US #1 when “Fame” it’s the top of the Billboard charts.
September 20, 1975
 
“Five Years:” After finding out he was broke, David breaks ties with manager Tony Defries.
October 1975
 
“Blackout:” The Thin White Duke
January 23, 1976 (release date of Station to Station)
 
“Across the Universe:” The Man Who Fell to Earth
March 18, 1976
 
“Can You Hear Me:” RCA issue the platinum-selling Bowie greatest hits record Changesonebowie.
May 21, 1976
 
““This Is Not America:” The Berlin Years
Late 1976 (move to Berlin plus beginning collaboration with Brian Eno)
 
“Modern Love:” David tells Playboy he’s bisexual.
September 1976
 
“The Loneliest Guy:” Low
January 14, 1977
 
“Dum Dum Boys:” The Idiot, Lust for Life and later, the recycling thereof
March 18, 1977 (The Idiot), August 19, 1977 (Lust for Life)
 
“Beauty and the Beast:” “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” with Bing Crosby
September 11, 1977
 
“Speed of Life:” David apologizes in Melody Maker for previous statements supporting fascism, blaming it on the drugs.
October 1977
 
“Future Legend:” A slow-burning hit with “Heroes” if not so much “Heroes”
October 14, 1977
 
“A Small Plot of Land:” Lodger
May 25, 1979
 
“Fashion:” David performs on Saturday Night Live, accompanied by Klaus Nomi.
December 15, 1979
 
“Cracked Actor:” David Bowie premieres in the theatrical production of Elephant Man.
July 29, 1980
 
“New Killer Star:” David appears on The Tonight Show.
September 5, 1980
 
“Art Decade:” Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
September 12, 1980
 
“Too Dizzy:” “Under Pressure”
October 26, 1981 (release date of single), May 21, 1982 (release date of Hot Space)
 
“Look Back in Anger:” David criticizes MTV for not playing more videos by black artists.
January 1983
 
“Starman:” David signs a $17 million deal with EMI, kicking off the collaboration with Let’s Dance.
January 27, 1983 (signs the deal), April 14, 1983 (release date of Let’s Dance)
 
“The Stars (Are Out Tonight):” The Serious Moonlight tour hits the US Festival.
May 30, 1983
 
“Day-In Day-Out:” David tells Rolling Stone he’s a closet heterosexual.
1983
 
“Sense of Doubt:” Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
September 2, 1983
 
“Shake It:” Tonight
September 24, 1984
 
“Hang Onto Yourself:” David Bowie’s influential older brother Terry Burns commits suicide.
January 16, 1985
 
“Beat of Your Drum:” Bowie and Jagger duet on “Dancing in the Street” in support of Live Aid.
July 13, 1985
 
“Fascination:” Labyrinth
June 27, 1986
 
“Rock ‘n’ Roll with Me:” David co-produces and writes six songs on Iggy Pop’s Blah-Blah-Blah album.
October 23, 1986
 
“Come and Buy Me Toys:” Never Let Me Down and The Glass Spider Tour
April 20, 1987 (release date of Never Let Me Down), March 17 – November 28, 1987 (Glass Spider tour)
 
“You Belong in Rock ‘n’ Roll:” “Tin machine, tin machine…”
May 22, 1989
 
“Reality:” The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert
April 20, 1992
 
“Girl Loves Me:” David marries Iman Abdulmajid.
April 24, 1992
 
“You’ve Been Around:” Black Tie White Noise
April 5, 1993
 
“Breaking Glass:” The infamous co-headline US tour with Nine Inch Nails
September 14, 1995 – October 31, 1995
 
“Dead Man Walking:” 1. Outside
September 26, 1995
 
“Win:” Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
January 17, 1996
 
“Everyone Says ‘Hi:’” David’s 50th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden
January 9, 1997
 
“Joe the Lion:” David Bowie and the Urban Jungle
February 3, 1997 (Earthling release date)
 
“I Can’t Give Everything Away:” Bowie Bonds
February 6, 1997
 
“Looking for Satellites:” David launches Bowienet, essentially the first good website by a musician.
September 1, 1998
 
“Looking for Water:” ‘hours…’
October 4, 1999
 
“I’m Afraid of Americans” The Concert for New York City
October 20, 2001
 
“I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship:” Heathen
June 11, 2002
 
“Boss of Me:” David Bowie turns down a knighthood
2003
 
“Fantastic Voyage:” David Bowie performs his last full concert.
June 25, 2004
 
“Fame:” The Grammys bestow upon Bowie a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.
February 8, 2006
 
“Dancing Out in Space:” David’s last public performance is a three-song set at a charity event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.
November 9, 2006
 
“Where Are We Now?:” Reality
September 16, 2003
 
“Lazarus:” The Next Day
March 8, 2013
 
“Golden Years:” David Bowie is opens at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
March 22, 2013 (opening day)
 
“Ashes to Ashes:” David Bowie delivers Blackstar, then dies in New York.
January 10, 2016