The crucial formative years of Bowie's early career are explored in this big tribute to the musical legend. Each chapter is based on one of Bowie's studio albums, and following a biographical and critical introduction, Soligny lets the words of eyewitnesses tell the story, taken from numerous face to face interviews with friends, colleagues and collaborators. A general introduction describes the young David Jones's debut playing the sax, followed by apprentice years with The Manish Boys, The Lower Third and The Buzz. Finally in 1967 Bowie decides to be his own manager, which is where the story begins. Of Bowie's first album, the Liverpool poet Roger McGough says "he really did stand out from the others", while his mime-artist girlfriend Hermione Farthingale reveals "we met on a Wednesday and by Friday we were completely in love". Record producer Tony Visconti writes: "the songs were humorous and dark; the backing was imaginative". For Visconti, Hunky Dory is a favourite album, even though he was not involved. Long-term friend Dana Gillespie knew him better than anyone: "David was a born actor, both on and off the stage". Songwriter Chris Simpson reveals that after a gig Bowie said to him, "Chris, I don't want to be just another one-hit wonder." In 1971, as The Man Who Sold the World is released, Bowie marries Angie Barnett. He is now failing to turn up at recording sessions and repeatedly rejecting prospective artists for the visuals. Iggy Pop comments that he sees a lot of himself in The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, while Mick Ronson as guitarist is not amused at having to wear skintight sequinned trousers and engage in fake sex. Diamond Dogs was launched in 1974 and was rewarded with great critical acclaim. Bowie had a knack of surrounding himself with the right people, and the theatre designer John Dexter put him in touch with the team that gave the album its new simplicity. In 1980, a blockbuster year, Scary Monsters comes out at the same time as Bowie opens in the lead role of Elephant Man on Broadway. 704pp, photos in black and while and colour. Remainder mark.
Additional product information
