David Bowie

singer, songwriter, actor.

An English singer-songwriter and actor, one of the biggest musical influences of modern music, and was renowned for his dramatic musical transformations.

David Robert Jones, known professionally as David Bowie, was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades. He was an innovator in the fields of music, fashion, and drama, acclaimed by critics and other musicians for his innovative work. His career was marked by reinvention and visual presentation, his music and stagecraft significantly influencing popular music. In 1996, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The British musician was also a great humanitarian – a supporter of many charities and foundations. He was a longtime supporter and friend of ‘Keep a Child Alive,’ Save the children, DKMS, Amnesty International and WhyHunger, as well the Red Cross campaigns. In 2008, Bowie had a song featured on the star-studded Heroes album to raise money for ‘War Child.’

This musical rock ion released his album ‘Blackstar’ as his ‘parting gift’ to his fans before his death on 10 January, 2016, just two days after his 69th birthday. David Bowie was cremated, and his final resting place is only known to his family.

DetailsOther Names
David Robert Jones
Father:
Haywood Stenton "John" Jones (1912–1969)
Mother:
Margaret Mary "Peggy" (née Burns; 1913–2001)
Marriages:
Angie Bowie (m. 1970–1980), Iman (m. 1992–2016)
Children:
Duncan Jones, Alexandria Zahra Jones


Young David
David Bowie was born David Robert Jones, on 8 January, 1947, in Brixton, London, to Haywood Stenton and Margaret Mary Jones From an early age, David was interested in music, and was further stimulated when his father brought a collection of American 45's by artists such as: Frankie Lymon, Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

Young David begged his parents for a saxophone, and his dad bought a plastic model and eight lessons which David helped pay by delivering meat for the local butcher. David began to play the ukulele, tea-chest bass, and the piano and received lessons from local musicians. David's older half-brother Terry, was a great influence and exposed young David to the worlds of rock music, modern jazz and beat literature.

The Kond-Rads
Bowie, first studied art, music and design before embarking on a professional musical career. Early bands he played with - The Kon-Rads, The King Bees, the Mannish Boys and the Lower Third, provided him with an introduction into the world of pop and mod. By 1966, he was David Bowie, with long hair and aspirations of stardom rustling about his head.

Amidst his musical wanderings in the late 60's, Bowie experimented with mixed media, cinema, mime, Tibetan Buddhism and acting. His album, originally titled David Bowie then subsequently Man of Words, Man of Music, pays homage to all the influences of London artistic scene.

Space Oddity
In July 1969, Bowie's single 'Space Oddity' was released which was his breakthrough hit reaching the Top 5 in the UK. Bowie’s 1970's album, 'The Man Who Sold The World,' was a definitive break from his previous work, which featured dark lyrics and theme as well as heavy-rock sound.

Bowie appeared at media interviews and on tour with his androgynous appearance, stoking curiosity and attention from the press and the public. The same year, his wife, Angela gave birth to their son, Duncan.

Ziggy Stardust
In 1971, Bowie released his album 'Hunky Dory,' which wasn't too successful, but when Ziggy Stardust burst onto the scene, 'Hunky Dory' started to take off. In 1972, Ziggy Stardust, was introduced to the world at a U.K. concert with the band, Spiders From Mars. It was a huge success, and afterwards, Bowie catapulted to fame.

Later, Bowie broke up with Spiders From Mars, and he tried to distance himself from the Ziggy Stardust persona. He retired Ziggy in 1973 and adopted the dystopian Halloween Jack persona for his Diamond Dogs album and most of his following tour.

Diamond Dog Tour
Bowie released 'Diamond Dogs' and ‘David Live’ in 1974. In the mid-70s, Bowie moved to New York City and adopted a soulful aspect to his music. At that time, Bowie developed a cocaine addiction, which gave him an emaciated appearance, emotional problems and paranoia.

In 1975, Bowie released 'Young Americans', featuring his first number-one hit - 'Fame.' With the Beatle, John Lennon on back-up vocals, the album was a commercial success. A new persona came along with his next album in 1976’s, 'Station to Station', which matched with the album single 'Thin White Duke.'

Switzerland and Berlin era
Between 1977 to 1979, Bowie moved to Switzerland, where he pursuits painting, photographed scenes and visited galleries. His interest in the burgeoning German music scene, as well as his drug addiction, prompted him to move to West Berlin to clean up and revitalize his career.

Bowie worked with electronic music pioneer, Brian Eno and with fellow pop musician, Iggy Pop. His music took a turn towards abstract sound with lyrics becoming more sporadic. In early 1980, Bowie and first wife, Angela's marriage ended.

Labyrinth
In 1981, Bowie paired with Freddie Mercury to produce the single, ‘Under Pressure,’ which was a smash hit. Bowie popularity and greatest commercial success was in 1983 with, ‘Let’s Dance.’ In 1986, Bowie landed the starring role in the movie, 'Labyrinth.' He wrote five songs for the film, which became an underground cult hit.

In 1985, Bowie performed at Wembley, for Live Aid. Bowie's duet with Mick Jagger - 'Dancing in the Street' quickly went to number one on release. In 1989, Bowie bid farewell to his solo career and joined the band, Tin Machine.

New Chapter
In 1990, Bowie was introduced to supermodel Iman, and they hit it off. In 1992, they were married. In 1996, Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2002, their daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones was born. During this time, Bowie continued to tour in Europe and North America.

In 2004, during a performance in Germany, Bowie suffered chest pain and required an emergency angioplasty. Bowie then reduced his musical output. In 2006, Bowie was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014, Bowie became the oldest recipient of a Brit Award in the ceremony's history.

Awards and Achievements
David Bowie wrote and recorded the title song to the T.V. series, 'The Last Panthers', also the title track for his January 2016 release, 'Blackstar.' Bowie is one of the world's best-selling music artists with a record sales, estimated at 140 million albums worldwide. In the UK, Bowie was awarded nine platinum album certifications, eleven gold and eight silver, releasing eleven number-one albums. In the US, he received five platinum and seven gold certifications.

The British musician was a great humanitarian, a supporter of many charities and foundations, from designing lunch boxes for (RED), to donating artworks for vulnerable children in Africa, Every Mother Counts to Food Bank For New York City.

Marrage and Family
Bowie married Mary Angela Barnett on 19 March 1970 in London and they had son, Duncan. They divorced in 1980. On 24 April, 1992, Bowie married Iman, a Somali-American model in a private ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland, and later solemnized on 6 June in Florence.

In 2000, their daughter, Alexandria 'Lexi' Zahra Jones was born. The couple resided primarily in New York City and London. They had a happy marriage for 24 years before his death.

Facts
One of Bowie's pupils was permanently dilated - after his friend George Underwood punched him in the eye while the pair were still at school. The fight was over a girl.

Underwood and Bowie remained good friends with Underwood doing artwork for some of Bowie's earlier albums.

Bowie started playing the saxophone when he was 12 years old.

Bowie's first hit in the UK - 1969's Space Oddity - was used by the BBC in its coverage of the moon landing.

Bowie appeared as Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ.

He declined the CBE in 2000 and a knighthood in 2003.

Bing Crosby recorded his last-ever single with David Bowie. Their duet version of The Little Drummer Boy was recorded for Christmas 1977. It was a hit five years later.

He plays just about every instrument on Diamond Dogs - including the famous guitar riff on Rebel Rebel.

Bowie drew, painted, sculpted and wrote in his spare time. His favourite artists were Tintoretto, John Bellany, Erich Heckel, Picasso and Michael Ray Charles.

Bowie turned 69 on 8 January 2016. He released Blackstar on the same day.

Quotes
"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring."

"The truth is of course is that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time."

"I had to resign myself, many years ago, that I'm not too articulate when it comes to explaining how I feel about things. But my music does it for me, it really does."

"Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming."

"Fame itself… doesn’t really afford you anything more than a good seat in a restaurant."

"I'm just an individual who doesn't feel that I need to have somebody qualify my work in any particular way. I'm working for me."

"All my big mistakes are when I try to second-guess or please an audience. My work is always stronger when I get very selfish about it."

"Make the best of every moment. We’re not evolving. We’re not going anywhere."

"I'm always amazed that people take what I say seriously. I don't even take what I am seriously."

"I'm very at ease, and I like it. I never thought I would be such a family-oriented guy ... I'm rather surprised at who I am, because I'm actually like my dad."

Funeral

On January 10, 2016, David Bowie died peacefully, surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. He was 69. A private family funeral was held for him, as he wished. He was cremated in America and his ashes was interred secretly to avoid creating a permanent public shrine However, there were many tributes, concerts and celebrations to honour him by his fans. David Bowie’s dying wish was to have his ashes scattered in Bali — in line with the island’s Buddhist customs.


WatchRelated Shows

• 

  +

  Henry Mancini

  Legendary Composer

  Enrico Nicola Mancini known professionally as Henry Mancini was a renowned American composer, conductor and arranger, who is best remembered for his film and television scores. With a career that spanned 40 ye...
• 

  +

  Elvis Presley

  King Of Rock & Roll

  Elvis Aaron Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. His humble beginnings through his rise to stardom, is a fascinating journey which has earned Elvis his undefea...

PopularShows To Watch MoreRelated Shows ExploreLots Of Shows ShowsYou Might Like ShowstaEnjoy The Show