David Bowie was born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947.  His mother, Margret Mary Burns (aka Peggy) and father Haywood Stenton Jones (aka John) had David illegitamitly, but would marry eight months later.  Growing up on the Edge of Brixton and Stockwell, David began to act as the traditional "only child" by being extremely introverted.   During David's birth, a midwife who was an attendee, said, "He's been here before" because of his "knowing eyes" (Samford, 10).  His mother, Margaret Mary Burns had a son form a previous marriage, Terry, who David idolized. Unfortunately, after Terry had been released from the Royal Air Force, he started to experience delusions. Three out of four relatives on his mothers side had comitted suicide or was put into a mental institution. Which made him wonder about his own sanity. He had contimplated becoming a Buddhist monk, but he put more thought into that venture.

        Of course, David being typically David was a bit of a melodramatic child.  There were a few occasions in which David would call the ambulance claiming to be dying.  Bowie has claimed that he grew up in a rough neighborhood and told fantastic stories...most and perhaps all of his stories were completely from his imagination. 

        Many remember David as a leader and not a follower.  When he said that he could do something, he really could.  In 1957, when David was just 8, he would play Elvis and Chuck Barry music to the Bromley Wolf Club boy scouts, they remember him being amazing...sounding just like the originals.

        As a teenager, David was flirting with his friend's girlfriend. (This friend being George Underwood)hit him in the eye, and then two days later something exploded in his eye. It took two operations to save his sight, which left him with a dilated left pupil. He was often accompanied by pretty often older girls. 'He was cool and he knew it.' He started a few bands, but only one actually released two songs, 'Liza Jane' and 'I Pity The Fool'. They then broke up, because they went nowhere. David became upset to learn that another David Jones (Davie Jones of the Monkees)had become famous before him, so he changed his name to Bowie after the hunting knife.

        In the late 60s, David met a young girl by the name of Hermoine Farthingale. He fell instantly in love. He purposely put together a theatre group called 'Feathers' so they could work and live together. He did mime while she did improv and dancing. David and Hermoine went to see 2001: a Space Oddesy (a Stanley Kubrick film). Later Hermoine broke David's heart and left him for another man. That incident inspired him to write the song, "Space Oddity". During the British transmittion of the moon landing, in the back ground they were playing, "Space Oddity", where he got his recognition.

        David then met a young waitress by the name of Angela Barnett. She was the perfect mirror of David. She too was tall and androgenous. They were the perfect match, or so they thought. In 1970, they were married. They later both claim it was so Angela could get her British citizenship. But, Angie did something no one had ever truely done for David, which was believe in him. In that same year, "The Man Who Sold The World" was released.

        In 1971, David would get some kind of recognition in the States with his album "Hunky Dory" which contained the song, "Changes" which is one of his biggest hits. In May of that year, David's son was born. Duncan Zowie Haywood Bowie. Later, Duncan changed his name to Joe. And because of the birth of Joe, David wrote a song called "Kooks" just for him. At that time (Angi claims she was the creative genius behind Ziggy Stardust) David saw a fashion show of Kansai Yamamoto. He took the idea of Kubuki and turned into street clothes. David saw a model with bright red hair, and knew what he had to do next.

        Surprisingly enough, Ziggy was a huge success on the East Coast, yet unknown to the Midwest. Like one fan said at one of his concerts, "I'm just the space cadet, and he's the commander." (in a very ditzy tone). Ziggy was so popular that to this day, David dreads the words Ziggy Stardust. David carried the character for three years and three albums (Ziggy Starudst, Aladdin Sane, and Pin Ups)until he finally called it quits, and killed off Ziggy forever.

        In 1974, David created the album "Diamond Dogs". During "Diamond Dogs" David tried to create a rock opera of George Orwell's book, "1984", but was unable to secure the rights. Instead most of the album, if not all was inspired by the book. (By the way, I highly recommend you read the book if you haven't already. It is doubleplusgood (Hehe)). Then in 1975 David tried to experiment and worked on Soul music and tried to change his appearance a bit. He grew a bob sort, and died it red and blonde. Then wore clothes that looked like they had been bought at "Sears and Roebuck". On the album, "Young Americans" David co-wrote the song "Fame" with John Lennon and Carlos Alomar. It was his first number one hit.

        Also in 1975, David starred in the Nicholas Roeg film, "The Man Who Fell To Earth" about an alien (played by Bowie, of course) who comes to Earth in search of water for his decaying planet. In 1976, he released "Station To Station" the unofficial soundtrack to "The Man Who Fell To Earth". Also at this time, David was addicted to cocaine and barely ate and slept. He kept on getting thinner and thinner, until he reached nearly 100 lbs. (keep in mind he is 6 feet tall).

           In 1977, Bowie works with Brian Eno to create "Heroes" and "Low". David decides to head to Berlin (the Heroin capital of Europe) with Iggy Pop to clean themselves up. In 1978, David does the narration for "Peter and the Wolf" and he also cleans himself up for good. In 1979, the album "Lodger" is released. In 1980, he files for divorce from Angie on the grounds that she neglected Joe during a Christmas. He also files for custody of Joe, and wins. This time finally shows David taking control of his life and his family.

        Also in 1980, he releases "Scary Monsters and Super Creeps" with the singles "Ashes to Ashes" and "Fashion". "Ashes to Ashes" concludes the saga started 11 years before that of Major Tom in "Space Oddity" with the lines: "Ashes to Ashes, funk to funky; We know Major Tom's a junky." "Fashion" had David returning to the basics. Singing about fame and looking pretty. In 1980, David made his Broadway debut as The Elephant Man, John Merrick.  This was hugely successful and had a good run.

        In 1982, David sang a duet with Queen called "Under Pressure" it's one of the only successful duets that Bowie has performed (the song "Dancing In The Street" with Mick Jagger was just an embarassment) the other being "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" with Bing Crosby. 

        In 1983, David Bowie would achieve what many artists dream of, absolute fame.  He was extremely popular with his "Let's Dance" album.  It spawned such hits as "China Girl," "Modern Love," and its title track.  As soon as David achieved the fame he had always desired, he was more than willing to dispense of it.  He was "The Yuppie King" and hated every minute of it.  After the hugely successful "Let's Dance," Bowie was pressed by his record company to create more profitable records.   He created two more albums simply for the money, which, however did not produce: "Tonight" and "Blue Jean." 

        At this time David decided to try his hand at acting.  In 1986, he obtained the role of Jareth, the Goblin King in Jim Henson's classic, Labyrinth.  In addition to adding his acting talents, he wrote five tracks for the soundtrack which catapulted it into the classics.  This point in David's life definitely made him wish for more fulfilling creative outlets, for his music had become simply for profit and no longer for the art.

        In 1989, David cuts his first record with his new band, Tin Machine, with Reeves Gabrels and Soupy Sales' two boys.  This is Bowie's mid-life crisis in the form of a heavy metal band.  He was partially motivated by his former success with his "Let's Dance" album, to shed that image, of the "Yuppie King."  He alienated those fans, yet the hard-core of his fan base remained.  The two albums, "Tin Machine" and "Tin Machine II" (of 1991) would achieve moderate success.  Tin Machine would reguvinate David in order for him to once again return to being a solo act and creating music for the art.  Around this same time David met Somalian model, Iman who would be his future wife.

        In 1993, David releases Black Tie White Noise in celebration of his new marriage to Iman.  Released on an independent label, it is almost virtually impossible to find in stores.  The track, "Jump They Say" was inspired by the suicide of his older brother, Terry, which occurred.   This album allowed David to freely explore what he had been feeling all along.   This would provide him with some freedom that he desperately craved years before.

        In 1995, Bowie created yet another album, a Non-Linear Cycle Hyper Drama, known as 1. Outside.  With Segues and songs instructing whom should be singing the songs, created a play-style soundtrack.  Art Crimes, Voyeurs, Mutilation, it all seemed to flow together and work for David.  It was an underground success.

        In 1997, Bowie turned 50 and celebrated with a big New York Party with Billy Corgan, Robert Smith, Frank Black, Lou Reed, Sonic Youth, and others.  That same year he released, Earthling.  With the tracks, "Little Wonder" and the successful "I'm Afraid of Americans."   Although this song truly achieved success when NIN's frontman, Trent Reznor remixed it.  I, personally, like the remix a lot better.  Oh well.

        1999 saw David release yet another album, hours...  Promoted for months in advance, it was an underground hit.   "Something in the Air" was remixed for the American Psycho Soundtrack.   "The Pretty Things are Going to Hell" was remixed as well and used in the dance club scene in Stigmata.  This album was quite possibly David's most emotional and thought-provoking works.  People of all ages can relate to the lyrics expressed within the songs.  Also in 1999, saw the birth of David and Iman's first child, a daughter.  I guess you can be a father at 52. 

        In 2001, Bowie released a compilation album of all of his instrumental tracks remixed.  On September 11, America saw one of it's most horrifying moments in history, the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, resulting in over 2,000 deaths.  Paying homage to the NY firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers, David Bowie and a number of other famous artists performed in a benefit concert.  David Bowie was the opening act, playing two songs, Paul Simon's "America" and his very own, "Heroes." 

        On January 8, 2002, David Bowie turned 55...wow...congradulations David, you're almost a senior citizen!  Just don't tell him to his face, mind you. 

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