I heard the news today…* V&A Museum Announces Massive Bowie Exhibit; World Fan Convention Called Off; Boy George Paints Bowie, others; documentary to feature Bowie in Philadelphia; Plus, Bowie Alumni shows, profiles, reflections, lists AND MUCH MORE!
This is my weekly summary of news about Bowie. Once again, I’ve made some editorial choices about what to leave out, including several articles that mention Bowie in passing as well as several new stories that have been reported earlier, in different stories that I’ve already highlighted. I have added a section featuring “posters” advertising upcoming shows featuring Bowie alumni performing together. Read on…
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NEWS
Bowie collection finally to go on show at new V&A museum in London!. The David Bowie Centre, opening at the V&A East Storehouse in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on September 13, 2025, will display over 90,000 items of memorabilia. The collection includes costumes from the Ziggy Stardust era and handwritten lyrics to hits like “Fame” and “Heroes.” This is huge news for Bowie fans. My expectation is that this will be the successor to the highly popular David Bowie Is exhibition that traveled the world from 2013-2018.
Bowie World Fan Convention Canceled for 2025. The David Bowie World Fan Convention 2025 has been canceled due to concerns over public safety, venue issues, rising costs, and the unavailability of key staff, with refunds processed within 30 business days. Although there is no confirmed reschedule, fans can follow social media and sign up for the newsletter for future updates.
Boy George Launches Portrait Exhibit. Boy George’s Fame art collection launched on October 25, at Castle Fine Art in London, featuring vibrant, embellished portraits of music icons such as David Bowie, Madonna, and Prince, exploring the concept of stardom.
Documentary features Bowie in Philadelphia. This article highlights Bowie’s connection to the iconic Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, where he recorded Young Americans, influenced by the “Philly Sound.” The documentary The Philly Sound Heard ‘Round The World, directed by Bill Nicoletti, explores the studio’s legacy, showcasing how its collaborations and groundbreaking music shaped artists across genres, including Bowie.
Scarlet Page exhibit to open. The Celebrity Skin photography exhibition, featuring intimate portraits of rock icons by Scarlet Page (including Bowie), will run from November 1, 2024, to January 6, 2025, at Riverside Studios in London, UK.
Slinky Vagabond’s new album. The new Slinky Vagabond album, The Eternal Return, features several Bowie alumni, including Earl Slick, Mike Garson, and Ava Cherry. Along with contributions from these collaborators, the album continues the band’s tradition of blending punk and rock with creative freedom, building on their 2021 release King Boy Vandals. “Slinky vagabond” is, of course, a term from the song, “Young Americans.”
Rare photo auction slated. The Unseen auction, featuring rare photographs taken by and of rock legends including David Bowie, will take place on November 28, 2024, at London’s Iconic Images Gallery, with proceeds going to the Mental Aid charity.
A Bowie-inspired makeover. Bowie’s iconic style and fashion choices can inspire readers to enhance their own wardrobes by incorporating elements of his eclectic, gender-bending outfits, bold makeup looks, and mix-and-match patterns, adapting his unique glam-rock aesthetic for everyday fashion.
Vegas to host exhibit of art by rockers. The “Beyond the Stage: Art by Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll” exhibition, running at Animazing Gallery in Las Vegas starting November 7, will feature artworks by iconic musicians including David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and Paul McCartney, offering fans a rare glimpse into their visual art.
Bowie-influenced novel released. Jordan A. Rothacker’s newest novel, *The Shrieking of Nothing*, a future noir mystery set in post-climate catastrophe Atlanta in 2220, was released on October 29, 2024, with a Bowie-themed costume party and readings by guest authors to celebrate the launch. Check out my interviews with the author posted yesterday and last Saturday.
She’ll drive a Beetle car… While Bowie was never a Beatle, this story features a Bowie Beetle.
David Coverdale released box set featuring Earl Slick. Though not directly related to Bowie, David Coverdale’s remixed and remastered Into The Light album, part of a newly released solo collection, features guitar work by Earl Slick and is now available through Rhino Records.
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UPCOMING BOWIE ALUMNI SHOWS
REFLECTIONS
Review of New Ziggy Stardust Dolby Atmos Blu-ray. The new 50th anniversary Blu-ray edition of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars features its first-ever Dolby Atmos mix, designed to enhance the album’s theatricality and deliver an immersive, concert-like experience, with improved sound clarity and presence compared to previous versions. Fans can enjoy four versions of the album, including the 2024 Dolby Atmos mix, two stereo mixes, and the original 1972 stereo mix remastered in 2012.
The Story of the Soundtrack for Labyrinth. Bowie not only starred as the Goblin King in the 1986 film Labyrinth but also contributed to the soundtrack, using his theatrical persona to craft songs like “Magic Dance” that captivated younger audiences, marking one of his more unusual projects.
When Bowie set out to make rubbish. this story recounts how Bowie attempted to make “top 10 rubbish” songs, but didn’t quite succeed…
Nile Rodgers on “Let’s Dance.” Rodgers recalls co-writing “Let’s Dance,” explaining how he helped transform Bowie’s original idea into a global dance hit by enhancing the chord progression and adding a jazz-influenced arrangement, ultimately leading to Bowie’s first U.S. No. 1 since “Fame.”
Bowie Disliked Country Music. Bowie openly expressed his dislike for country music, citing that it was the only genre he never listened to, despite accidentally scoring a No. 1 country hit through a sampled version of his song “Rebel Rebel.”
Reflecting on celebrity deaths. This “man on the street” interview style story includes comments from a British man who reacted emotionally to Bowie’s death.
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PROFILES
Carlos Alomar. This story recounts more tales from guitarist Carlos Alomar. He seems to be giving a lot of interviews these days. I wonder if he’ll give one to me?
Peter Frampton. Frampton comes alive discussing his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bowie, who he worked with, is mentioned in passing.
The Starman Pub in Mayfair. This is a story about a Bowie-themed pub in England, that includes many Bowie-related puns and plays on words about.
Martin Kemp. The Spandau Ballet star recounts an embarrassing story about meeting Bowie.
Phum Viphurit. Bangkok artist Phum Viphurit’s new EP Paul Vibhavadi Vol. 1 draws inspiration from Bowie’s use of alter egos, creating a fictional character to explore creative storytelling beyond personal experiences.
Samantha Tims. Former singer Samantha Tims, now residing at Capwell Grange care home, reflects on her illustrious music career, which included crossing paths with legends such as David Bowie and Paul McCartney, and aims to inspire young musicians with lessons of persistence and seizing opportunities.
Conan O’Brien. This piece is largely about O’Brien appearing on stage with Jack White, however it also is kind of a profile of O’Brien. Bowie is mentioned in passing, but the piece features a picture of O’Brien with Bowie.
Brian ‘Robbo’ Robertson. Former Thin Lizzy and Motörhead guitarist Brian Robertson recalls working with legendary musicians, including David Bowie, sharing how he was called mid-tour to record a guitar solo for Bowie’s Boys Keep Swinging in 1979, which he described as an unmissable opportunity despite the challenge of replicating Adrian Belew’s unique sound.
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LISTS
The 20 Best Covers Albums. This list is framed around Pin Ups, which it ranks as #1.
Weirdest Videos Ever. “Loving the Alien” is on the list, which is described as “just bonkers.”
4 Rock Icons Who Were Associated With the Occult. Bowie’s connection to the occult was driven more by fear than fascination, with his interest in UFOs and aliens reflected in his music, and, according to his ex-wife Angie, a deep fear of black magic and witches.
10 Box Office Flops That Deserved Better. It’s hard to remember now, but Labyrinth was a flop when it was released.
3 Great Bootleg Classic Rock Albums. Live Nassau Coliseum ’76 is a 1976 Bowie concert recorded in Uniondale, New York, released 34 years later as part of the deluxe edition of Station to Station in 2010 and reissued as a standalone album in 2017.
25 Rock Themed Pumpkins. This is an odd list– to see the pumpkin, you have to link to images elsewhere. Bowie, of course, is one of the pumpkins.
The 25 best albums of 1993. You don’t often see Black Tie White Noise make best-of lists, but it made this list.
Artists Who Changed Their Record Covers’ Art. To get to the part about record covers, you have to go through 10 artists who changed their lyrics. Bowie is in the section on record covers, which discusses the various covers of The Man Who Sold the World.
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FAR OUT MAGAZINE
The online magazine always manages to post Bowie stories. This week featured:
(1) Genres that inspired Eno.
(2) On “The Bewlay Brothers”
(3) Bowie hated performing after Lennon died.
(4) Nile Rodgers on Roxy Music. Bowie is mentioned.
(5) Bowie regretted missing the Sex Pistols.
(6) Artists who waited years before making a hit.
(7) Bowie’s favorite Iggy song
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THIS WEEK IN THIS BLOG
October 20: Last week’s news
October 22: KillerStar’s Rob Fleming joins me for two exciting announcements!
October 24: How has “Warszawa” held up? How will it?
October 25: Free Form Friday: Bizarro World Politics
October 26: Exclusive Interview: Author Jordan Rothacker returns to discuss his Bowie-inspired science fiction
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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”
