I heard the news today…* Lexi responds to comparisons to her father; Donny McCaslin week in the blog; the photos of Lawrence Watson; Bowie’s hidden faces in Labyrinth, plus reflections, profiles, lists AND MORE!
Welcome to my weekly roundup of Bowie news! Click on the bolded article titles to read the originals. I saw stories this week about Lexi Jones’ release of her album, Xandri, as well as the release of her father’s posthumous live album, Ready, Set, Go! Both topics have been covered in past updates so I am not linking to the stories here (other than a link to a Far Out Magazine story about Xandri, below). I do link to a story (versions of which have appeared in many outlets) about Lexi’s reaction to being compared to her late father. That and coverage of her album have sucked up much of the Bowie-related oxygen this past week, which is ironic because part of her message is that she’s trying to do her own thing. With that said, read on…
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NEWS
Lexi Jones Speaks Out on Comparisons to Late Dad. I covered the release of Lexi Jones’ debut album Xandri last week, but this story is a bit different—it focuses on how she’s responding to comparisons with her late father, David Bowie. In a candid and poetic Instagram post, Jones addressed the pressure of living up to his legacy, saying she’s “not trying to fill his shoes” but instead “trying to find [her] own peace.” The article also links to the album itself, which features 12 tracks showcasing her distinct sound. I have assumed that she would have feelings along the lines as expressed in her poem because I imagine that’s the way I’d feel, which is why I haven’t really pursued her for an interview. But hey, Lexi, if you’re reading this and want to come on my show, I’ll promise to focus on Xandri !
“Starman” used in car ad. Audi’s 2016 Super Bowl ad “The Commander,” featuring David Bowie’s “Starman,” used the emotional resonance of a retired astronaut reliving his spacefaring past through a high-speed drive in the Audi R8 to elevate brand prestige and promote the car as Audi’s fastest model to date. The trade publication Ad Age reported that Audi’s 2016 Super Bowl ad “The Commander” used David Bowie’s “Starman” to evoke nostalgia and emotion as a retired astronaut reconnects with his past while driving the brand’s fastest-ever R8 model, positioning the spot as a brand-halo effort released just weeks after Bowie’s death.
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REFLECTIONS
Lining up for Bowie tickets in Sunderland. This is a remembrance by the Sunderland (England) Echo literally about a past feature about people standing in line to see a Bowie show. Had I been there, I would have been one of those people.
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PROFLIES
Lawrence Watson. Legendary photographer Lawrence Watson has released unseen images of David Bowie, along with other cultural icons, as part of a limited edition collection supporting a mental health charity.
David Lynch. The article reflects on David Lynch’s surreal artistry and influence, noting that his world is one where David Bowie, among other strange and captivating elements, turns into a glowing white orb—highlighting Lynch’s ability to blend the real and surreal in unforgettable ways.
Peter Capaldi. Peter Capaldi, now known for roles in Doctor Who and The Thick of It, reflects on his early punk rock days in a new Guardian interview, recalling his time in the Glasgow band Bastards From Hell—later The Dreamboys with Craig Ferguson—whose Bowie-influenced sound never broke through despite his relentless efforts before he turned to acting and got his break in Local Hero.
Peter Wolf and Danny Fields. Peter Wolf and Danny Fields revisit their days at Max’s Kansas City and recall the legendary night Iggy Pop met David Bowie—a moment that changed the course of music history.
Janette Mason. Janette Mason’s new album ReWired reimagines songs by artists including Bowie, Kate Bush, and Gary Numan through a jazz lens, reflecting on her musical journey while showcasing her deep-rooted creativity, performance history, and commitment to musical mentorship.
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LISTS
UK live music venues we’ve lost over the years. More than one venue where Bowie played is on this list, but the one where he’s mentioned as having played is the Earls Court Exhibition Centre.
5 picks for Record Store Day 2025. Ready, Set, Go is on the list. So is a new pressing of Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music, which I can understand might have qualities worth studying or contemplating but is not necessarily an album I’d recommend buying for the sensory rather than intellectual appreciation of it.
The Official best-selling new vinyl releases of the last 10 years. The compilation album Legacy and Blackstar are on the list. I never purchased Legacy on the premise that I already have everything on it, but maybe I should check it out.
The Most Controversial ‘SNL’ Musical Guests Of All Time. On the list is Bowie rolling out a phallic image from his pants.
3 Concerts That Defined Classic Rock Stars Forever. The “last” Ziggy concert is on the list.
7 Directors Who Captured David Bowie’s Cinematic Magic On Screen. Yes, this is a list of directors of movies in which Bowie appeared.
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FAR OUT MAGAZINE
The online magazine always manages to post Bowie stories. These stories are usually built around a nugget of known information, given a title that hints at a detail or connection, encouraging readers to click and read further as the story gradually provides the full context. This week featured:
(1) David Bowie’s daughter, Lexi Jones, releases her debut album
(2) Clem Burke’s 10 favourite albums of all time: “It opened up my young mind”
(3) “You have to”: the David Bowie song his mother made him make
(4) 10 artists that saved rock and roll
(5) The movie that changed Scott Walker’s life: “I was very struck”
(6) Five most iconic 12-string guitar songs
(7) ‘Let’s Dance’: the moment David Bowie changed music forever
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THIS WEEK IN THIS BLOG
April 6: Last Week’s News.
April 8: Ego B’s Cover of “My Death” and Brel’s influence on Bowie
April 9: “Killing a Little Time”… until Saturday’s exclusive Donny McCaslin interview!
April 10: McCaslin, Bowie, “Beyond Now” and Beyond
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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”