Dear David Bowie
Allow me, first of all, to express the great honour and pleasure I have in meeting you today on the occasion of your visit to France. I should like to congratulate you on the release of your 23rd album, on Virgin Records, not only for what it gives us to listen but also to contemplate.
You symbolise better than anyone else creation in pop music today. Your visionary genius heralded changing musical developments in our changing society. You are tireless in the pursuit of your work, closely linking writing, music, theatre, visual arts and dance.
hours? is the title of this new and warm opus which has been acclaimed by the press both for its maturity and modernity, which are evident to those who have been able to grasp the refinement of its lyrics and production, in collaboration with Reeves Gabrels who has been your associate for ten years.
Dear David, I should like to concentrate for a moment on your exceptionally open minded attitude to new techniques in Information Technology and Communication.
In fact it is significant to point out, at a time when the music industry as a whole is getting organised to combat digital piracy, that in association with your record company, you deliberately chose the net to release your album before it even appeared in the record shops.
Personally, I am convinced that record companies must position themselves on these new markets, and the step you have taken, dear David, sets the example.
Digitisation is actually a godsend for the music industry in that it widens the audience for music and encourages new practices. However, it also presents some risks. This phenomenon exists, we have to accompany it by finding a way to extend the rights of creators, producers and distributors.
Dear David, you have found a way to position yourself on this new market in this same spirit.
However, this modern, efficient attitude should not surprise us. In fact, by always being prepared to take risks and disconcert, you have never missed your dates with the destiny of rock and pop music. That, too is what being modern is all about.A simple glance at your career cannot fail, dear David, to arouse respect and admiration.Your first album 'The Man Who Sold The World' marked the advent of the concept album and caused a scandal with its cover showing you wearing a wig and makeup.Next you record two albums nearly back to back. The first 'Hunky Dory', in which critics have seen echoes in your new production 'hours?', reflects your fascination for New York, just after meeting Lou Reed and above all Andy Warhol, whose character you will later go on to play in the film 'Basquiat'.
The second album 'Ziggy Stardust', will become an instant classic and will mark the birth of glam rock, from the New York Dolls to Roxy Music, making you an international star.
The 70's will also be marked by the albums 'Aladdin Sane', 'Young Americans', 'Heroes', 'Low'? which are also the occasions for music innovations with Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, and also Brel, Pink Floyd, The Who or John Lennon.
You also star in Nicholas Roeg's film 'The Man Who Fell to Earth'. After completion of filming, you record 'Station to Station' and you create your new identity as the 'Thin White Duke'.
The early 80's sees the release of the new album 'Scary Monsters', which marks the end of glam rock. You also play Elephant Man on Broadway to rave reviews.
In 1982 you play the leading role in the film 'Hunger' co-starring with Catherine Deneuve and you star in 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence'.
Finally, in 1983, you record 'Let's Dance', an album which gains world-wide success featuring the beautiful 'China Girl'.
Towards the end of the 80's, when we again saw you in the Live Aid concert, you again transformed yourself by founding the group Tin Machine, an alternative live band.
1993 marks the return of solo projects, you record 'Black Tie, White Noise'. You then release one of rock's first CD-Roms entitled 'Jump'.
In 1995, you worked again with Brian Eno and you created the fantastic album 'Outside'.
This followed by the new, experimental album 'Earthling'.
After months of tours and festivals, you produce a controversial single with Brian Eno 'I'm Afraid of Americans'. Is that really true?
Next you appear in the film 'Basquiat', directed by the American painter Julian Scnabel.
In January 1997, you celebrate your 50th Birthday at New York's Madison Square Gardens, joined on stage by your fellow travellers, who include Lou Reed, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith.
Today, the adventure continues on several fronts.
You were also an artist with a big heart. Thus you have remained loyal in your commitment to Aid, and we saw you last weekend singing for NetAid along with many other artists such as Annie Lennox.
As you say in 'Thursday's Child' ? 'sometimes I cry my heart to sleep'.
Dear David, the very first words of your album are 'All of my life I've tried so hard, doing the best with what I had'. Listening to the re-release of your complete works, it seems to me that you have truly succeeded in your aim.
For all this, dear David Bowie, I am very proud to proclaim you Commandeur des Arts et Lettres.
