I heard the news today…* In a week of little actual Bowie news, read on for profiles, reflections, lists, a recap of the week in the blog and more!
Welcome to my weekly roundup of Bowie news! Click on the bolded article titles to read the originals. There was remarkably little actual news related to Bowie this week. For the second week in a row, that space seemed to be taken up by accounts of Lexi Jones, her album, and her objections to being compared to her father. That said, there were several reflections and profiles of interest, as well as the usual lists, Far Out Stories, and of course, my summary of the week in the blog. So, read on…
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NEWS
RIP Jed the Fish. Legendary KROQ radio DJ Jed Gould, known as “Jed the Fish” and credited with championing artists like David Bowie, Depeche Mode, and Sting, has died at 69 following a battle with lung cancer.
‘Britain’s largest’ private vinyl record collection to be auctioned. A collection of 30,000 vinyl records will be auctioned off in Surrey, England later this month. The collection includes records from Bowie and is expected to net between £40,000 and £70,000 or more.
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REFLECTIONS
Bowie at the BBC. This article revisits the 2023 book Bowie at the BBC: A Life in Interviews by Tom Hagler, which was originally released in 2023. While the article does not specify a particular occasion for this reflection, it serves to highlight the book’s content and significance, potentially introducing it to new audiences or re-engaging existing fans.
No Bowie Biopic? This Collider article argues that a true authorized David Bowie biopic is unlikely to ever be made because Bowie opposed the format during his life, his family refuses to grant music rights or approval, and his unconventional artistry demands a similarly unconventional approach that traditional biopics cannot achieve.
Bowie Recalls the Three-Step Songwriting Formula John Lennon Gave Him. I’m not sure of American Songwriter is recycling old stories or if this is a new account of what I always assumed was an offhand comment that sometimes gets reported as serious advice.
The night David Bowie slept at Stockport station. Bowie is now getting “Bowie slept here” plaques in the UK.
Darren Day reveals what REALLY happened during Celebrity Big Brother’s iconic ‘David’s dead’ moment. This incident continues to get press attention. I don’t pay too much attention to it, but there has been a spate of them recently for some reason. This one is a little different than the type I’ve posted before.
Bowie as Pilate. Just in time for Easter, this is a story about Bowie’s small but memorable role in Martin Scorsese’s Last Temptation of Christ. I remember when I first saw a poster for this movie and saw Bowie’s name, as if he was one of the stars. He’s only in it for one scene, though it is a memorable performance. And though Bowie’s role is small, I do think it is probably the best movie he had anything to do with.
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PROFLIES
Earl Slick. Veteran guitarist Earl Slick, known for his work with David Bowie and John Lennon, appeared at Berklee College of Music as part of a concert and master class focused on Bowie’s legacy. Reflecting on what he offered students, Slick said, “They may know the notes… but you can play the notes, can you make the music?”—emphasizing the importance of live performance and musical feel. In a wide-ranging interview, he discussed Bowie’s instincts, inter-band dynamics, and the “intangible” quality that separates technically proficient musicians from compelling artists. For my own interview with Earl Slick, click HERE.
Tim Lefebvre. Tim Lefebvre, bassist on Blackstar, recalls the thrill of hearing Bowie’s voice in his headphones and the honor of contributing to the track “Lazarus,” which showcases Lefebvre’s textured playing and improvisational skill. Bowie discovered Lefebvre through saxophonist Donny McCaslin’s quartet after seeing them live, leading to their collaboration on Blackstar. Lefebvre used a ‘68 Fender Precision with flatwounds and effects to create a distinctive tone, and his approach to the song’s structure reflected both careful preparation and spontaneous creativity.
Lexi Jones. Lexi Jones has publicly addressed comparisons to her father, using a self-written poem to reject the idea that she is a “copy” of David Bowie and emphasizing her own voice and identity. She has also spoke candidly about past mental health struggles, describing art as a coping mechanism and signaling a desire to be judged on her own terms, not her lineage.
Cameron Crow. Cameron Crowe’s upcoming memoir, The Uncool, reflects on his years as a young music journalist and includes his time embedded with David Bowie for 18 months, during which Bowie called him “young enough to be honest.”
Jack Vettriano. Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, best known for “The Singing Butler,” requested a private cremation without ceremony after being inspired by David Bowie’s similarly discreet farewell, marking a quiet end to the life of one of Scotland’s most commercially successful painters.
Derek Forbes. In his new memoir A Very Simple Mind, Derek Forbes—founding bassist of Simple Minds—recounts his life in rock, including collaborations with legends like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Dave Gilmour, offering fans of ’80s music and Bowie alike a candid look behind the scenes.
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LISTS
10 Glam Rock Albums That Turned Glitter Into Gold. Three Bowie albums are on this list.
6 Memorable Horror Movie Theme Songs. “Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” is on the list.
4 Songs That Were Inspired by Real People. According to the list, “The Jean Genie” was about Iggy Pop and Cyrinda Foxe. The song served as an ode to denim-wearing figures in New York City, with both Iggy and Foxe embodying that image. Bowie viewed Foxe as something of a muse, and she even appeared in the music video for the track.
The 25 best Classic Rock Albums of 1971. Hunky Dory is #24 on this list. #24? That is an insult!
The universe of Leigh Bowery in 10 tracks. “Ashes to Ashes” is on the list.
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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) ‘Dollar Days’ and David Bowie’s most devastating lyric
(2) The guitarist David Bowie called “my Jeff Beck”
(3) The Cars anthem that rang the alarm on a humanitarian crisis
(4) How ‘Under Pressure’ strained David Bowie and Queen
(5) David Lynch’s favourite David Bowie song
(6) How did Julian Casablancas embarrass himself in front of David Bowie
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THIS WEEK IN THIS BLOG
April 15: Coming Saturday: Interview with Nacho of Nacho Videos!
April 16: Lesson Learned: Earl Slick joins Berklee Students for a night of Bowie
April 17: RATM Killing in the name… (in the style of David Bowie)
April 18: My Favorite Nacho Video: “Sweet Thing” Suite
April 19: Curating Bowie: Video Artist Nacho Talks Sound and Vision
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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”