I heard the news today…* RIP Derek Boshier and Herbie Flowers; Bowie in video games; new “Heroes” origin story; Bowie in Berlin; Bowie in photo exhibit; profiles, lists AND MUCH MORE!
This is my weekly summary of news about Bowie. The bolded titles link to the original stories I summarize below. Read on…
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NEWS
RIP Derek Boshier. Boshier, a pioneering British pop artist known for his collaborations with David Bowie and The Clash, has passed away at age 87. Boshier designed the cover of Bowie’s Lodger album and had a close, decades-long friendship with the musician, influencing pop art and culture globally.
RIP Herbie Flowers. British bass guitarist legend Herbie Flowers, who played with some of the world’s biggest music icons including Bowie, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Marc Bolan, has died aged 86, as heartfelt tributes have been paid to the ‘beautiful soul’.
Video Game Dropping Bowie Song. The upcoming update for Alan Wake, a psychological thriller video game developed by Remedy Entertainment, will remove David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” from the game’s credits due to expired music licensing. In its place, a new original song titled “Strange Moons,” composed by Petri Alanko, will be featured. This change applies only to the original 2010 version on PC platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, while the 2021 Alan Wake Remastered version remains unaffected. Alan Wake follows the story of a writer trapped in a mysterious town, where the line between reality and fiction blurs, making music an important atmospheric element of the game.
Meanwhile, another game seems to be using “Under Pressure.” The trailer for Astro Bot, featuring a remix of Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” with Astro Bot-like sound effects, has been released to rave reviews and is currently the highest-rated single-player game of the year on Metacritic.
Bowie in Berlin. This article explores how Bowie’s time in Berlin (1976–1978) helped him reinvent himself both creatively and personally. Fleeing the chaos of Los Angeles, Bowie found solace and anonymity in Berlin, collaborating with Iggy Pop and producing some of his most groundbreaking work, including Low and “Heroes”, while shedding his previous alter egos.
Why rock stars never retire. This article is about David Hepworth’s book, Hope I Get Old Before I Die. The article mentions how Bowie, like other artists, had to navigate challenging phases in his career, and questions whether memorials (citing a brass statue) truly capture the enduring impact of his legacy on future generations.
A contemporary review of Bowie’s debut. Prompted by its recent re-release, this contemporary review of the somewhat obscure David Bowie (1967) favorably views it as lighthearted and vital.
This Kaos is killing me! Sorry, this article has nothing to do with “Hallo Spaceboy,” from which I borrowed the title. It’s about songs used in the soundtrack for the show, Kaos, which includes “The Man Who Sold the World.”
New Tucker Zimmerman album. Did you know that Tucker Zimmerman’s 1969 album Ten Songs by Tucker Zimmerman was included in Bowie’s list of favorite vinyl records, and one of its tracks, “Fourth Hour of My Sleep,” was later recorded by Mick Ronson’s band Ronno? Since I was previously unfamiliar with Tucker Zimmerman, I did not know that. And now he has a new album.
Ziggy out in Dolby Atmos. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars has been mixed in Dolby Atmos and was released as a standalone Blu-ray audio on Septmeber 6th.
Bowie to be featured in photo exhibit. Are you looking for an excuse to visit the Spanish island of Ibiza? Now you have one! The first exhibition of Mick Rock’s work since his passing, featuring silkscreen reinterpretations by contemporary British artist Hannah Shillito, who has given a fresh, pop art-inspired twist to his iconic photographs, including those of David Bowie, will be on display at the Paradiso Art Hotel in Ibiza until September 19.
Trading Faces? Did you know that Bowie was in an all-star band called “Trading Faces?” Well…sort of. Click on this link to see the explanation.
Three music documentaries reviewed. Two out of the three documentaries covered here involve musicians whose paths intersected Bowie’s– Eno and Devo. Brian Eno’s collaborations with Bowie are well known and noted in this review, however the review does not mention that Bowie also involved in the production (and mixing) of Devo’s first album (along with Eno).
Menswear line inspired by Bowie, 1920s. The SS25 Celine Homme collection by Hedi Slimane is a menswear fashion collection that draws from British high society of the 1920s. It blends traditional British sartorial elements like boating hats, frock coats, and cricket knits with modern updates such as black leather biker jackets and regal velvet capes. Slimane reimagines classic British garments with luxurious fabrics like summer cashmeres, wool, and embroidered silk, creating a balance between historical elegance and contemporary rock influences, epitomized by a fusion of F. Scott Fitzgerald and David Bowie styles.
PROFILES
Ken Scott. Scott talks remixing Ziggy. I’ve seen this type of interview/story before…not sure if this is original but I think it is.
George Underwood. This substantial profile of Bowie’s nearly lifelong friend and occasional collaborator leans heavily on their personal and professional histories.
Saskia Reeves. Bowie is only mentioned fleetingly here, when the actress refers to something he said about the point at which creativity flourishes.
Anton Fig. Fig is a drummer, who, as is passingly mentioned in this profile, played with Bowie during his performance in the Concert for New York, in 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Matt Johnson. Johnson, the frontman of The The, has collaborated with various musicians throughout his career, including former Bowie bassist Gail Ann Dorsey, and is set to release a new album, Ensoulment, which explores themes of love and loss. Bowie is only mentioned in that context.
Donny McCaslin. The Blackstar bandleader is coming out with a new album.
Nicki Chapman. The TV presenter known for Escape to the Country, reflects on how her diagnosis and successful recovery from a non-cancerous brain tumor gave her a new perspective on life, fostering a greater sense of gratitude and inspiring her to continue embracing life fully. The story passingly mentions that she worked as a music promoter for artists including Bowie.
Tal Bachman. This is a repost of a 2004 review of Staring Down the Sun, which was influenced by Bowie.
Zetra. This article introduces Zetra, a mysterious gothic synth duo known for their theatrical performances and corpsepaint. They draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including black metal aesthetics and ’80s synth-pop, and maintain a balance between anonymity and personal identity. The duo references David Bowie’s approach to maintaining artistic mystique, noting how Bowie didn’t pretend to be a character in interviews, but created an enigmatic separation between his stage persona and personal self, influencing Zetra’s own presentation.
Keanan Duffy. This story is about Duffy’s book, The Fashion Entrepreneur. Unfortunately, it is paywalled and Bowie doesn’t appear in the brief segment that appear for free.
Matt Shultz. Cage the Elephant frontman Matt Shultz and his wife Eva adopted a puppy named Bowie from New England Puppy Rescue during a backstage event on their tour. The adoption was serendipitous, as the couple connected deeply with the puppy, who had been rescued from Mississippi, leading them to bring her home after careful consideration and planning. This is the second story I’ve posted about a dog named owie in recent weeks (maybe it’s the same dog?)
Noel Gallagher. Gallagher shared that while his sons prefer urban music like rap over Oasis’ songs, he remains open to new influences, particularly drawing inspiration from David Bowie’s willingness to experiment and try anything in his music.
June Diane Raphael. Actress June Diane Raphael recalls serving David Bowie as a waitress in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, describing him as a “lovely person” but a “terrible tipper,” though she fondly remembers him singing “Happy Birthday” to her on one occasion.
Abraham Lincoln. Was President Lincoln the proto-Bowie? A new documentary makes the case!
David Carroll. Carroll, a disc jockey reveals that his favorite singer was Dean Martin. Bowie is mentioned in passing.
Billy Sloan. The rock writer for the Scottish tabloids and radio DJ discusses his memoir. He’s pictured with Bowie in the story.
THE STORY BEHIND THE MUSIC
Was “Heroes” inspired by a specific girlfriend? In the new BBC documentary, Bowie in Berlin, Clare Shenstone reveals that Bowie’s song “Heroes” was inspired by an extraordinary day the two spent together in Berlin, rather than solely by a kiss Bowie witnessed between Tony Visconti and Antonia Maass at the Berlin Wall. Shenstone recounts intimate details of the day, which are mirrored in the song’s lyrics, adding a poignant new layer to the origin of one of Bowie’s most beloved tracks.
Carlos Alomar on “Fame”. Alomar, long-time Bowie collaborator, recalls working on the track “Fame” with David Bowie and John Lennon. Alomar chose to stay in the studio refining his guitar parts instead of joining them for dinner, a decision that led to Bowie being impressed with the final result, which completed the track.
Bowie’s impact on culture. Bowie’s influence extends beyond music, impacting fashion, art, and cultural norms, as his ever-evolving personas encouraged individuality and creative exploration. His genre-blurring music, from glam rock to electronic experimentation, left an indelible mark on various genres and continues to inspire artists across generations. This article is apparently written by a talented high school student, presumably with other high school students as the intended audience.
LISTS
Bowie’s Iconic Sync in Cinema Celebrated on National Cinema Day. In celebration of National Cinema Day, a feature by SIREN highlighted their favorite film music moments, including “Magic Dance” from Labyrinth. Bowie’s influence was noted for permeating childhood memories and continuing to resonate through the years, alongside other iconic film soundtrack selections. This tribute list emphasized Bowie’s lasting impact on cinema and music, placing him alongside other musical moments in film history
10 Iconic LGBTQ Collaborations. Of course, “Under Pressure” is on this list.
33 Tidbits of pop trivia. Bowie is mentioned in two of said tidbits.
10 Best Bowie Songs. This is a fairly predictable list that easily could have been recycled, but regardless it posted this past week.
Celebrities who should be on London Walk of Fame. This list mentions that Bowie is already on such a walk. Click on this link to see who else should be so honored.
Ringo is not Bowie. The premise is that this is a quiz where participants are challenged to identify celebrities depicted in caricatures drawn by the famous artist Al Hirschfeld. Most of the celebrities featured are from the 1950s to 1970s, reflecting the era when Hirschfeld was most active in his work. Bowie is listed as an option under the image of Ringo Starr. That’s the only Bowie reference, but the pictures are kinda cool.
September Rock Releases and Top Charting Albums. Loudwire’s article highlights major rock and metal albums released each September since 1980, with Bowie’s 1. Outside and Tonight noted among significant releases. Additionally, Bowie features prominently in the list of artists with the most Top 10 charting albums, including hits like “Fame” and “Let’s Dance.”
Most controversial moments in SNL history. This link will take you to a page that basically sets up a video, which includes “getting on the wrong side of David Bowie.”
10 Best Rock Songs About Fear Or Being Afraid. I guessed the Bowie song that made this list was “Afraid,” but no! Check out the list to see which song made the cut.
25 music videos that had the biggest impact on pop culture. Spoiler: “Ashes to Ashes” makes the list.
Five albums that were ahead of their time. Low is on this list.
35 Greatest Singing Voices. Bowie’s on the list.
Boy George’s Mixed Tape. “Boys Keep Swinging” is on the list.
THIS WEEK IN THIS BLOG!
August 31: Exclusive Interview: Author Lance Olsen discusses his Bowie novel, “Alway Crashing in the Same Car”.
September 1: Last week’s news
September 2: Labor Day Special: Tin Machine’s “Working Class Hero” cover.
September 3: Cover of the Week: Laura Crowe & Him cover “The Man Who Sold the World”
September 4: Hunky Dory would not be a rock album without “Queen Bitch”
September 5: The hidden lyrics of “Ashes to Ashes”
September 6: Beware the savage jaw of 1984– Steve Benen’s “Ministry of Truth”
September 7: Exclusive Interview: David Currie, author of “The Grand Illusion of David Bowie”
FAR OUT MAGAZINE
The online magazine always manages to post Bowie stories. This week featured:
1. Bowie’s favorite Bowie songs.
2. The music of Warhol’s Factory
3. A Space Odessey inspired “Space Oddity.”
4. Bowie wanted to make a movie from a Nazi book
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And with that, “we’ve finished our news…”*
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*“I’ve heard the news today” is Bowie’s adaptation of the Beatles lyric, which is heard in “Young Americans.” **“We’ve finished our news” is a line from, “Oh You Pretty Things”