(Classic Report)

Written by: Jake Beach   

David Bowie, whose name resonates through the corridors of music history, is more than just a legendary artist; he is a cultural icon whose influence transcends genres and generations. Bowie constantly reinvented himself with a career spanning over five decades, blurring the lines between art and life and challenging societal norms with his bold creativity.
Bowie's journey was anything but ordinary from his early days as a fledgling musician in London's vibrant 1960s scene to his rise as the "Starman" and his later ventures into acting and visual arts. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating life of David Bowie, exploring his artistic evolution, luminous collaborations, and the indelible legacy he left behind. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just beginning to discover his genius, join us as we celebrate the life and art of one of the most enigmatic figures in modern culture.

Early Life
David Robert Jones, famously known as David Bowie, was born on January 8, 1947, in Brixton, London. He spent his early years at 40 Stansfield Road in Lambeth before his family relocated to Bickley, Bromley Common, eventually settling in Sundridge Park. Bowie began his educational journey at Stockwell Infants School, where he quickly garnered a reputation as a gifted yet rebellious student. He later attended Burnt Ash Junior School.

From a young age, Bowie exhibited remarkable talent in both dance and music, heavily influenced by iconic American artists such as Elvis Presley and Little Richard. His early forays into music included playing the ukulele, tea-chest bass, and piano, often performing for his local Wolf Cub group.

Encouragement came from his father, Stenton "John" Jones, a promotions officer for Barnardo's, who nurtured his son's musical pursuits and connected him with performers at events like the Royal Variety Performance. Bowie continued his education at Bromley Technical High School, which prioritized languages, science, and design, and it was here that his passion for art and music flourished.

A significant influence in Bowie's formative years was his half-brother, Terry Burns, who battled schizophrenia. Terry introduced Bowie to modern jazz, Buddhism, Beat poetry, and the mystique of the occult. In 1961, Bowie received a Grafton saxophone, which he learned to play under the guidance of baritone saxophonist Ronnie Ross.

However, Bowie's journey was not without its challenges. In 1962, he sustained a serious eye injury during an altercation with his friend George Underwood, leading to lasting complications that would become a defining characteristic of his striking persona.

In 1962, 15-year-old David Bowie took his first steps into the music world by forming his inaugural band, the Konrads. The group made a name for themselves, performing guitar-driven rock and roll at local youth events and weddings. It showcased a fluctuating lineup of four to eight members, including notable guitarist George Underwood.

After leaving technical school, Bowie was vocal about his aspirations to become a pop star, prompting his mother to secure him a position as an electrician's mate. However, dissatisfaction grew as he found his bandmates' ambitions limited. This frustration led him to part ways with the Konrads and join the King Bees, which marked a significant shift in his musical journey.

In pursuit of greater opportunities, Bowie sought management from entrepreneur John Bloom, drawing parallels to the successful partnership between Brian Epstein and the Beatles. While Bloom did not respond directly, his referral to Leslie Conn ultimately landed Bowie his first personal management contract, setting the stage for his rise in the music industry.

In the early stages of his career, David Bowie faced a series of challenges that would shape his artistic identity. After Conn began promoting him, Bowie's debut single, "Liza Jane," failed to make an impact. Following this setback, he left the King Bees to join the Manish Boys, drawing inspiration from blues, folk, and soul music. However, their rendition of "I Pity the Fool" also struggled to gain traction, prompting Bowie to team up with the Lower Third.

Unfortunately, the group's "You've Got a Habit of Leaving" did not perform well, leading to the dissolution of Conn's contract. At a crossroads, Bowie contemplated a career change to study mime but ultimately chose to stick with the Lower Third. During this time, Ralph Horton stepped in as Bowie's manager, securing him a contract with Pye Records.

Not satisfied with his original stage name, Davy/Davie Jones, Bowie adopted the name David Bowie. His first single under the new name, "Can't Help Thinking About Me," released in January 1966, also flopped. Following his departure from the Lower Third, Bowie issued two additional singles, "Do Anything You Say" and "I Dig Everything," collaborating with the Buzz.

Bowie briefly joined the Riot Squad, but the band's recordings, including an original song, remained shelved. New management came in the form of Kenneth Pitt. In April 1967, Bowie's single "The Laughing Gnome" failed to chart, and shortly thereafter, his debut album, "David Bowie," also faltered commercially, marking a two-year hiatus in his releases.

In September 1967, Bowie recorded "Let Me Sleep Beside You" and "Karma Man," which remained unreleased for several years. This period began a pivotal and enduring collaboration with producer Tony Visconti, setting the stage for Bowie's eventual rise to prominence.

David Bowie's early artistic journey was marked by a deep immersion in the dramatic arts, where he studied under the renowned Lindsay Kemp. This experience cultivated his talent for avant-garde theatre and mime, allowing him to create distinct personas for public performances.

In 1967, Bowie made waves in the music scene by releasing "Over the Wall We Go," a single that satirized life within a British prison. The following year, the noted artist Billy Fury brought his composition "Silly Boy Blue" to life, showcasing Bowie's evolving songwriting prowess.

Bowie also ventured into collaborative projects, forming a group called Feathers in 1968 with vocalist Hermione Farthingale and guitarist John Hutchinson. This collective performed together until early 1969, during which Bowie's personal life took a turn; following his breakup with Farthingale, he moved in with Mary Finnigan.

As 1969 progressed, Bowie toured with Marc Bolan's duo, Tyrannosaurus Rex, presenting a mime act that added to his eclectic repertoire. Alongside Finnigan, Christina Ostrom, and Barrie Jackson, he became involved in managing a folk club at the Three Tuns pub, an initiative inspired by the Arts Lab movement.

The folk club soon transformed into the Beckenham Arts Lab, gaining traction and popularity within the local community. Notably, the Arts Lab hosted a free festival in a local park. This event would later inspire Bowie's song "Memory of a Free Festival," cementing his connection to the vibrant cultural landscape of the time.

David Bowie's journey to stardom was pivotal in the late 1960s, catalyzed by his collaboration with producer Tony Visconti. To introduce Bowie to a broader audience, Visconti worked on the film Love You Till Tuesday, which would remain unreleased until 1984. Amidst feelings of isolation stemming from a lack of commercial success and the emotional toll of a breakup, Bowie channelled his turmoil into writing "Space Oddity," a haunting narrative centred on the fictional astronaut Major Tom. The song, released as a single on July 11, 1969—just five days before the historic Apollo 11 moon landing—captured the public's imagination, propelling Bowie into the UK music charts, where it reached the top five. However, it would be another three years before he experienced similar success.

Bowie's second album, initially titled David Bowie in the UK, confused due to its similarity with his debut record of the same name. The US release, Man of Words/Man of Music, was later reissued internationally by RCA Records as Space Oddity. Despite its philosophical post-hippie lyrics and acoustic folk-rock sound, the album fell short commercially.

In April 1969, Bowie met Angela Barnett, and the two were married within a year. Barnett's influence on Bowie was profound; he penned his 1970 single "The Prettiest Star" in her honour. Her involvement in his career overshadowed his previous manager, Pitt, leading to a contentious split. Yearning for a cohesive band to collaborate with, Bowie formed a group initially dubbed Hype, featuring drummer John Cambridge, bassist Visconti, and guitarist Mick Ronson. Their flamboyant style and character-driven performances hinted at the glam rock revolution that would soon follow. However, Bowie reverted to the spotlight as a solo artist after a rocky debut performance at the London Roundhouse, especially after a contentious disagreement with Cambridge led to the drummer's replacement.

Subsequent studio sessions birthed Bowie's third album, The Man Who Sold the World, which signified a robust stylistic shift towards hard rock and delved into themes of schizophrenia and paranoia. A coast-to-coast publicity tour in the US from January to February 1971 further established his androgynous image, punctuated by the controversial album cover depicting Bowie in a dress he wore during interviews, gaining favourable reviews from critics.

Bowie's exposure to American proto-punk artists during his tour sparked the creation of the Ziggy Stardust persona, a synthesis of Iggy Pop's raw energy and Lou Reed's musicality, ultimately crafting an iconic pop idol. In his words, "It's not who does it first, it's who does it second," reflecting the influence of those around him. The surname Stardust was a nod to the "Legendary Stardust Cowboy."

Bowie's 1971 album, Hunky Dory, showcased another evolution in his sound under the production of Ken Scott and featured Trevor Bolder on bass. The album integrated art pop and melodic pop rock elements, with tracks such as "Kooks," dedicated to his son, Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones. While the album explored serious themes and paid homage to his influences through songs like "Song for Bob Dylan" and "Andy Warhol," it failed commercially, partly due to insufficient promotion from RCA. However, the track "Oh! You Pretty Things" found new life when covered by Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits, reaching number 12 in the UK charts.
That's it for the part of our David Bowie retrospective. Make sure to come back for the next part of our look at the life and music of David Bowie.

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