Biography
Born David Robert Jones, January 8 1947, London, England.
Bowie’s career in the music industry has different turns as the singer has reinvented his image as well as his music throughout his career. Commercial success in music first came to Bowie with his song Space Oddity released in 1969. He released four albums from ’69 to '72, yet had relatively little commercial success with his singles during this period. The title track from his 1970 album The Man Who Sold The World was later covered by the now late Kurt Cobain with his band Nirvana. The first cover of this album also saw Bowie wearing a dress, furthering his androgynous image.
In 1972 Bowie refuelled his career by creating the concept album Ziggy Stardust, which centered around an extraterrestrial rock star. His performances and image saw Bowie wearing lavish costumes, with dramatic make up and flame red hair.
Around this time, Bowie admitted in an interview with Playboy magazine that he was bisexual, a claim that he was to take back a decade later in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine. The original comment caused some controversy and was a successful publicity ploy for Bowie.
1975 saw Bowie change directions again, with the album Young Americans, which he later referred to as being plastic soul. He gained his first US number one with the single Fame, a collaboration with John Lennon. He also starred in the film The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976). He was also working at the time with stars such as Lou Reed and Iggy Pop. He Helped Pop to write on his first two solo albums and even spent some time touring with Pop’s band. He teamed up with Brian Emo in Berlin to make three albums Low, Heroes and Lodger which have had an infuencial impact on other musicians.
His success during this period was marred slightly by Bowie’s use of cocaine, and occasional heroin use. By 1980 though, he had withdrawn from drug usage, divorced his first wife, and had written some critically acclaimed music for his Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) album.
The 1980s saw David Bowie once again change direction with dance music albums and saw collaborations with Queen, Tina Turner and The Beach Boys. He also starred in the 1986 film Labyrinth with Jennifer Connelly.
1898 to 1991 saw yet another change in Bowie’s music, as he formed the band Tin Machine. They enjoyed some success together, yet by the end Bowie was looking forward to once again having the freedom of being a solo writer and performer.
The nineties saw new success for Bowie and even more musical departures. Black Tie Whit Noise (1993) was jazz and hip hop influenced, and Bowie delved into jungle and drum and bass with his 1997 album Earthling.
Bowie has continued to write music and perform to today. He married supermodel Iman in 1992 and suffered a non-fatal heart attack in 2004. He lives in New York with his wife, daughter and step daughter.
