Ziggy in Brighton ‘bottom wiggle’ shock

“...the strange ones in The Dome...”

If you were enjoying the delights of sunny seaside town Brighton in the UK today, you may have popped along for Heritage Open Day at The Dome and stumbled upon a photo display of Ziggy Stardust in full flight during his 23 May gig on the 1973 David Bowie Tour.

Here’s an edited excerpt from the Brighton and Hove Independent regarding the event…

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Newly acquired photographs of David Bowie performing at Brighton Dome will go on display at the venue for the first time, as part of Heritage Open Day on Saturday, September 14. The images were originally taken at Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust concert on 23 May 1973 by Saler Photographic, a local picture agency which was based at 40 Preston Road.

Alex Epps, senior programming co-ordinator at Brighton Dome, said: “We are really excited to include these new additions to the archive as they really bring Brighton Dome’s history to life. We’d love to know who the photographers were who took the shots but we’ve not been able to find out any more information. With our backstage tours and open days we hope visitors will enjoy learning about the past and sharing their own personal memories of the venue.”

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However, what the pictures couldn’t possibly convey was a move by Bowie considered so risqué that local paper, The Argus, had as a subheading: “WIGGLED HIS BOTTOM” in their review of the show.

Though this flaunting of the derrière is considered de rigueur nowadays, back in 1973 it was clearly considered a bit saucy.

Hopefully this type of decadent behaviour was reserved for the evening show, not the matinee played earlier in the afternoon.

Either way, the effect of Ziggy and The Spiders on the assembled throng was more than apparent. The Argus's review of the gig reported that 18 seats were ripped from the auditorium and four fans fainted!

Even though some of these images might be familiar to fans of a certain age (as they could be ordered directly from Saler Photographic), the search is on for the photographer.

We're pretty sure some of these shots were published in the music weeklies back in the day and possibly elsewhere in colour. Perhaps that original snapper remembers?

Read Emily Walker’s full Argus piece regarding what was understandably, a life-changing event for some, here.

#BowieBrightonDome  #BowieBottomWiggle

Goodbye Daniel Johnston

“True Love Will Find You In The End”

You’ve no doubt already heard about the passing of Daniel Johnston on Wednesday. Many Bowie fans will already be aware of the man’s music and art as Bowie was a champion of both.

Daniel was an American singer-songwriter and visual artist regarded as a significant and influential figure in the outsider, lo-fi, and alternative music scenes. Most of his work consisted of cassettes recorded alone in his home, artefacts that were much sought after long before his death from a heart attack on Wednesday.

Johnston spent extended periods in psychiatric institutions and was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He gathered a local following in the 1980s by passing out tapes of his music while working at a McDonald's in Austin, Texas. In 2005, Johnston was the subject of the documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston for which Bowie supplied this line:

“Daniel Johnston reminds me of aspects that made me love art in the first place.”

Bowie also provided Johnston with some wider exposure when he had him perform at London’s South Bank on 17 June, 2002, as part of David Bowie's Meltdown 2002 and then again on 16 May, 2007, to the Highline Ballroom for Bowie’s High Line Festival. Bowie also invited that other ‘outsider’, The Legendary Stardust Cowboy, to both events.

Here he is talking about both artists to Paul Du Noyer for Mojo in 2002...

“The Legendary Stardust Cowboy is an outsider artist, he’s playing with a different deck of cards…and Daniel Johnston is like a one-man Brian Wilson/Beach Boys. He comes out of Austin, Texas, also another lad who had a lot of problems with thinking. He was in different institutions and hospitals all his life and would make funny little cassettes of all his songs, on an out-of-tune piano or guitar: beautiful, poignant, sad little pieces. And he’d take them into the local comic shop and swap the cassettes for comics.”

David’s son, Duncan Jones, had this to say on Twitter yesterday:

“My dad introduced me to Daniel Johnston’s music & at first I didn’t know if it was meant as a joke or something else. But…”

Duncan then posted this link to Hi, How Are You Daniel Johnston? (Short Film- 2015)

#DanielJohnston

Conversation Piece book exclusive

“I keep a photograph, it burns my wall with time”

You may have noticed we announced the Conversation Piece 5CD box set yesterday and as promised, we will be sharing some of the images from the 120-page hardback book accompanying the set.

On the run up to its release on 15th November, we’ll be revealing some exclusive content that didn't make it into the book, such as the previously unpublished shot here taken by BBC photographer Harry Goodwin.

Harry was the Top Of The Pops in-house photographer from its inception in 1964 until 1973. He also took pictures of David during performances of Starman and The Jean Genie on the show. It's likely that this session took place while David was at the BBC’s Lime Grove studios filming his appearance for Top Of The Pops in early October, 1969.

You’ll find several more images from this session in the Conversation Piece book.

#DBCP2019

David Bowie Conversation Piece 5CD box due November

“All seems so long ago...”

Parlophone Records is proud to announce DAVID BOWIE CONVERSATION PIECE, a five CD box set and digital equivalent tracking David’s early development throughout 1968 and 1969, via his home demos, BBC radio sessions, studio recordings with guitarist John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson and the experimental music and mime group, Feathers. The collection also celebrates the 50th anniversaries of the release of the ‘Space Oddity’ single and David’s second album, David Bowie (aka Space Oddity).

Pre-order links and more images to follow.

Keep reading for the press release.

#DBCP2019

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DAVID BOWIE CONVERSATION PIECE - 5 CD AND DIGITAL BOX SET RELEASED ON 15TH NOVEMBER, 2019

INCLUDES 12 EXCLUSIVE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS AND BRAND NEW MIX OF SPACE ODDITY ALBUM BY TONY VISCONTI

SPACE ODDITY (2019 MIX) ALBUM ALSO AVAILABLE SEPARATELY ON CD, STANDARD DIGITAL, 96/24 DIGITAL AND RANDOMISED BLACK, EXTREMELY LIMITED NUMBERED SILVER AND GOLD VINYL SINGLE RUN PRESSINGS.

'CONVERSATION PIECE' (2019 MIX) AVAILABLE NOW AS A STREAMING ONLY SINGLE.

4th September 2019 London

Parlophone Records is proud to announce DAVID BOWIE CONVERSATION PIECE, a five CD box set and digital equivalent tracking David’s early development throughout 1968 and 1969, via his home demos, BBC radio sessions, studio recordings with guitarist John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson and the experimental music and mime group, Feathers. The collection also celebrates the 50th anniversaries of the release of the ‘Space Oddity’ single and David’s second album, David Bowie (aka Space Oddity).

DAVID BOWIE CONVERSATION PIECE contains twelve previously unreleased tracks/demos from the period as well as a brand new mix of the Space Oddity (aka David Bowie) album by long-time Bowie producer/collaborator Tony Visconti.

The new mix of the album now features the title track of the boxset ‘Conversation Piece’ restored to the tracklisting in its initially intended position, before it was originally dropped due to time constraints of vinyl.

Of the 2019 Space Oddity album mix Visconti says “It was so much fun to find hidden gems of musicianship with more time to mix the second time around, a guitar twiddle here, a trombone blast there, Marc Bolan’s voice in a group choir and more detail in general that we overlooked all those years ago when the label gave us a week at the most to mix this album. And in the details you will find 22 year old David Bowie, who would soon take the world by storm."

The 120 page hardback book accompanying the box features exclusive memorabilia from the personal collection of David’s former manager, the late Ken Pitt, as well as from the David Bowie Archive®, and includes photos by Ray Stevenson, Vernon Dewhurst, David Bebbington, Ken Pitt, Alec Byrne, Tony Visconti and Jojanneke Claasen.

The sleeve notes have been written for the release by Bowie experts Mark Adams, Tris Penna and Kevin Cann along with contributions from David’s lifelong friend George Underwood, Tony Visconti, Vernon Dewhurst, Dana Gillespie and John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson.

The 2019 mix of the Space Oddity album will also be released separately and individually on CD, standard digital, 96/24 digital and vinyl. The various vinyl configurations will be randomly distributed worldwide with a mixture of hand-numbered labels; numbers 1 to 1969 on silver vinyl numbers and 1970 to 2019 on gold vinyl, with the remainder being black vinyl.

DAVID BOWIE CONVERSATION PIECE

Titles marked * are unreleased and the two Decca tracks presented here are released in superior quality to that released on the Deluxe Edition of David’s self-titled debut album on Deram. There is also a rare appearance for the full length mono version of Feathers’ ‘Ching-a-Ling’.

CD 1 - Home Demos

April’s Tooth Of Gold (2.29) *

The Reverend Raymond Brown (Attends the Garden Fête on Thatchwick Green) (2.15) *

When I’m Five (3.18) *

Mother Grey (3.00)

In The Heat Of The Morning (2.59)

Goodbye 3d (Threepenny) Joe (3.19)

Love All Around (2.49)

London Bye, Ta-Ta (3.31)

Angel Angel Grubby Face (version 1) (2.31)

Angel Angel Grubby Face (version 2) (2.37)

Animal Farm (2.21) *

Space Oddity (solo demo fragment) (2.39)

Space Oddity (version 1) with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (4.02)

Space Oddity (version 2) with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (5.00) *

Space Oddity (version 3) with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (5.10)

Lover To The Dawn with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (3.50)

Ching-a-Ling with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (2.58)

An Occasional Dream with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (2.49)

Let Me Sleep Beside You with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (2.54)

Life Is A Circus with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (4.50)

Conversation Piece (3.47) *

Jerusalem (4.19) *

Hole In The Ground with George Underwood (3.29) *

CD2 - The ‘Mercury’ Demos with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson

Space Oddity (5.28)

Janine (3.53)

An Occasional Dream (3.18)

Conversation Piece (3.31)

Ching-a-Ling (3.35)

I’m Not Quite (aka Letter To Hermione) (4.00)

Lover To The Dawn (5.01)

Love Song (4.08)

When I’m Five (3.13)

Life Is A Circus (5.33)

CD3 - Conversation Pieces (Mono)

In The Heat Of The Morning (Decca mono version) (2.51)

London Bye, Ta-Ta (Decca alternative version) (2.36)

BBC Top Gear radio session with the Tony Visconti Orchestra, recorded 13th May, 1968

In The Heat Of The Morning (3.01)

London Bye, Ta-Ta (2.39)

Karma Man (3.07)

When I’m Five (3.14)

Silly Boy Blue (4.32)

Ching-a-Ling (2.51)

Space Oddity (Morgan Studios version – alternative take) (4.22)* with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson

Space Oddity (U.K. single edit) (4.42)

Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (single B-side – mono mix) (4.54)

Janine (mono mix) (3.23)

Conversation Piece (3.06)

BBC Dave Lee Travis Show radio session, recorded 20th October, 1969

Let Me Sleep Beside You (3.20)

Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed (4.03)

Janine (3.03)

CD 4 - 1969 stereo mixes

The original David Bowie (aka Space Oddity) album

Space Oddity (5.14)

Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed (inc. Don’t Sit Down) (6.51)

Letter To Hermione (2.32)

Cygnet Committee (9.31)

Janine (3.21)

An Occasional Dream (2.54)

Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (4.46)

God Knows I'm Good (3.17)

Memory Of A Free Festival (7.09)

The Extras

Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (single B-side stereo mix) (4.56)

Letter To Hermione (early mix) (2.32) *

Janine (early mix) (3.23) *

An Occasional Dream (early mix) (2.54) *

Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola (full length version) (5.14)

CD 5 - 2019 mixes (all previously unreleased)

The Space Oddity album

Space Oddity (5.20)

Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed (6.18)

Letter To Hermione (2.32)

Cygnet Committee (9.28)

Janine (3.21)

An Occasional Dream (2.57)

Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (4.50)

Conversation Piece (3.11)

God Knows I'm Good (3.16)

Memory Of A Free Festival (7.14)

The Extras

Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (single version) (4.59)

Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola (5.20)

DAVID BOWIE CONVERSATION PIECE RELEASED ON PARLOPHONE ON 15TH NOVEMBER, 2019.

Baby Bowie book out now

“Let the children use it”

A book about adjectives illustrated by Pintachan.

Shiny lightning bolt. High boots. Spikey hair. Glittery stars. Celebrate iconic musician David Bowie with little ones in this colorful, playful, and inspiring board book.

Keep reading for the press release.

#BabyBowie

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Running Press Kids announced today the upcoming publication of a new board book series: BABY ROCKER™. Reflecting the playful nature of the Running Press Kids imprint, the Baby Rocker™ series introduces the littlest book lovers to early concepts, like colors and shapes, through major icons in music.

The series will launch in fall 2019 with the publication of BABY BOWIE and BABY KISS, both on sale September 3rd.  Baby Bowie and Baby KISS came to life with the support of Epic Rights/Perryscope Productions for Baby Bowie and Epic Rights for Baby KISS, plus adorable illustrations by Pintachan. Baby Bowie introduces adjectives (shiny lightning bolt, high boots, spiky hair), while Baby KISS introduces colors (black-and-white face paint, pink tongue, orange fireworks). Each book wraps up with a lyric (“Let’s Dance!” and “I wanna rock n’ roll all nite!”). These series launchers will be followed in spring 2020 by additional titles featuring other celebrated music artists.

“Baby Rocker™ is a fresh and exciting way for parents and grandparents to share their love of music with their little ones. We are thrilled to partner with Epic Rights and Perryscope Productions on these first two titles, and can’t wait to add more extraordinary rockers to the series,” says Kristin Kiser, VP/Publisher of Running Press.

While there are several board book series introducing children to literature and science (such as BabyLit and Baby University), no such series exists in the board book space celebrating contemporary musicians. This series aims to fill that space, appealing to the audience of the other series, while carving out an additional niche of its own: parents and grandparents hoping to share their musical passions with a new generation. BABY ROCKER™ will make the perfect gift for baby showers or for any new parent who is a superfan.

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About Running Press Kids:

Running Press Kids is a place where books come to play. Our close-knit, collaborative team aims to spark curiosity and creativity and to meet readers where they are with each book we create. We focus on design-driven, high-quality, fresh books for children and young adults that encourage engaged reading and exploration. We publish fun, playful, and inspirational board books; heartfelt, humorous, and diverse picture books; nonfiction that drives inquiry and wonder, along with a healthy dose of fun; and middle grade and young adult fiction that focuses on character-driven, relatable stories with real growth and self-discovery. Additionally, we are adept at working with licensors to create imaginative, fresh, and enduring books in novelty, activity, storybook, and other formats.

About Running Press:

Founded in 1972, Running Press has a history of publishing products that entertain, inspire, and delight. Running Press publishes close to 200 new titles a year under five imprints: Running Press Adult, Running Press Miniature Editions™, Running Press Kids, RP Studio, and Black Dog & Leventhal. Beautifully designed and creatively packaged, Running Press books, miniature editions, and stationery product cover a broad range of lifestyle and pop-culture categories that include licensed programs, humor, food and wine, craft, performing arts, children’s nonfiction, YA and middle grade fiction, picture books, and board books. 

About Epic Rights

Epic Rights is a leading music industry retail branding, merchandising and concert artist services company representing many top artists. Epic Rights provides a broad scope of services, including retail branding and licensing, official artist’s website and social media management, official concert artists online shops, VIP ticketing, and official fan communities. Epic Rights is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit:www.epicrights.com.

About Perryscope Productions:

Perryscope Productions, LLC is a New York-based global licensing and merchandise company proudly representing iconic and eclectic clients such as Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, Miles Davis, Creedence Clearwater Revival/John Fogerty (in association with Double Header Licensing, LLC), Genesis, The Police (in association with Easy Partners, LLC), The Band, Syd Barrett, David Gilmour, Isaac Hayes. In addition, Perryscope co-manages AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and the Woodstock Festival in partnership with Epic Rights. For more information visit http://www.perryscope.us

Tin Machine at La Cigale in Paris 1989

“Go, go, go, It’s amazing...“

Eight tracks from Tin Machine’s 1989 performance at La Cigale in Paris are available for download and streaming from today.

Keep reading for the press release.

#TinMachine1  #TinMachineLive

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TIN MACHINE - LIVE AT LA CIGALE PARIS, 25TH JUNE, 1989

EXCLUSIVE DIGITAL ONLY LIVE SET FEATURING UNRELEASED TRACKS

RELEASED ON PARLOPHONE 30th AUGUST, 2019

“No oldies, no encores and no apologies” - Rolling Stone

On Sunday 25th June, 1989, Tin Machine played at the 1000 capacity La Cigale in Paris for what was only their eighth show. The band played a cracking set comprised of tracks from their debut album, which had been released just a month previously, including covers of both John Lennon’s Working Class Hero and Bob Dylan’s Maggie’s Farm.

Here, together, for the first time are all the songs chosen by David from that performance, including five previously unreleased recordings, as well as select tracks previously released as B-sides of Tin Machine singles.

Live at La Cigale was mixed by Tin Machine co-producer Tim Palmer and has been specially mastered to tie in with the album’s 30th anniversary.

TIN MACHINE - LIVE AT LA CIGALE PARIS, 25TH JUNE, 1989

01 Amazing

02 Heaven’s In Here

03 Sacrifice Yourself

04 Working Class Hero

05 Maggie’s Farm *

06 I Can’t Read *

07 Baby Can Dance *

08 Under The God

Tin Machine:

David Bowie - vocals, guitars

Reeves Gabrels - guitars

Kevin Armstrong - guitars, vocals

Tony Sales - bass, vocals

Hunt Sales - drums

 All songs written by David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels except ‘Working Class Hero’ written by John Lennon and ‘Maggie’s Farm’ written by Bob Dylan.

Produced by Tin Machine and Tim Palmer

Mixed by Tim Palmer at Swan Yard Recording Studios, London

Assisted by Elliot Ness

Mastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound, June 2019

* Originally (P) 1989, remaster 2019 and all other tracks (P) 2019 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC under exclusive license to Parlophone Records Ltd.

Bowie’s VH1 Storytellers set is twenty today

“There’s something I have to say”

As mentioned previously, today is the 20th anniversary of David Bowie’s 1999 performance to an intimate crowd at The Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom in New York.

Recorded for the VH1 Storytellers series, Bowie used the opportunity to promote his forthcoming album, 'hours...'.

Parlophone will release a limited edition double vinyl LP of the set on 11th October, 2019, with four bonus recordings not included on the original 2009 CD version.

Pre-order here. Further details here.

#BowieStorytellers

Donny and GAD new video for Head Of Mine

“Drifting into my solitude, Over my head”

Donny McCaslin continues the reinvention started on his superb album Blow with a new single, Head Of Mine, which has been on very heavy rotation here at DB HQ since its release last Friday. (16th August)

Once again embracing an alternative, vocally-driven sound, the track boasts the delicious vocal of long-time David Bowie collaborator Gail Ann Dorsey. Gail featured on The National’s latest album, I Am Easy To Find, not to mention Donny's own Eye Of The Beholder, which appeared on Blow.

Watch the full video here and listen to the full-length version and the epic instrumental, Tokyo, here.

#DonnyMcCaslinBlow  #GailAnnDorsey  #BowieMcCaslin  #DonnyGailHOM

Dragan Bakema is new Newton in David Bowie’s Lazarus

“Enter the Dragan, oh, oh, ooh…”

Stage Entertainment Netherlands has announced that Dragan Bakema is going to play the lead role of Newton in David Bowie’s Lazarus. Gijs Naber has made the difficult decision to give up the role after he came to the conclusion that he has had too much on his plate recently.

Keep reading for the full press release.

#LazarusNL  #LazarusMusical 

Press release: Dragan Bakema replaces Gijs Naber in David Bowie’s Lazarus

Gijs Naber is forced to take necessary rest and therefore give up the lead role in Lazarus

Dragan Bakema is going to play the lead role of Newton in David Bowie’s Lazarus. Gijs Naber has made the difficult decision to give up the role after he came to the conclusion that he has had too much on his plate recently.

Gijs Naber:

“In the run-up to the rehearsal period, I came to the realisation that I have had too much on my plate in recent years. A role like this deserves 100% commitment. I have had to be completely honest about the fact that I have found myself unable to deliver on this due to my respect for my audiences and colleagues. I am relieved that the show producers were so understanding and I think it is fantastic that Dragan will take the role over from me. I am convinced that the fantastic cast led by Ivo van Hove will put on a beautiful performance.”

Albert Verlinde, CEO and Producer at Stage Entertainment Netherlands:

“I deeply regret that Gijs has had to give up his role in Lazarus. We have really done everything to try to make it possible. But if it eventualizes that an actor does not feel they are able to take on this heavy role, I have the utmost respect for the actor who is brave enough to make this difficult decision. The role of Newton requires an exceptional actor and singer. Despite the pressure to fill his place, we took the time to find a strong replacement for Gijs. Henry Hey, musical supervisor on behalf of David Bowie's estate, and director Ivo van Hove unanimously chose Dragan for this role. He has all the capabilities to shape the character of Newton. We are very proud to announce that he will lead the cast of Lazarus."

Dragan Bakema:

“The question whether I wanted to audition for the role of Newton in Lazarus was unexpected but I was immediately enthusiastic. Lazarus is a unique show; totally different from anything I have ever seen before. It’s wonderful to be a part of a show like this. As an actor, it is an extraordinary challenge to be able to interpret the fascinating character of Newton. I feel assured with the confidence that has been placed in me and I am very excited to start with the rehearsals on the 2nd September!”.

Lazarus, David Bowie’s final work, premières on Sunday, October 13th at the DeLaMar Theatre in Amsterdam. In addition to Bakema, Noortje Herlaar, Pieter Embrechts and Holly Mae Brood can be seen in the show directed by Ivo van Hove. For more information: www.bowielazarus.nl

Dragan Bakema

Dragan Bakema graduated from the Arnhem Theatre Academy in 2005 and attended classes at the famous Lee Strasberg Academy in New York. He has played in a large number of theatre productions, including ‘Naar Damascus’ under the direction of Pierre Audi with ‘Toneelgroep Amsterdam’, ‘Platonov’ and Richard III with the RO Theatre. In 2012 he played the role of Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema in the musical ‘Soldaat van Oranje’ and last summer he played in the theatre sensation ‘Het Pauperparadijs’ at the Carré Theatre Amsterdam. Dragan has also acted in many short and feature films; including the Drama ‘Joy’ and ‘Brownian Movement’ which won two Golden Calf Awards. In 2003, he was awarded the Best Talent Award for his role in the film ‘Loverboy’. In addition to being an actor, Dragan is also a talented scriptwriter and producer. He co-wrote the screenplay for ‘Oliver etc.’ and ‘Hunting en Zn’, whilst also playing the lead roles in both films. He received his second Golden Calf nomination for ‘Hunting en Zn’. He has also played roles in countless television series; including ‘In Therapie’, ‘De Troon’, ‘Medea’ by Theo van Gogh and ‘Rembrandt en ik’. He can also be seen in the feature film ‘April, May and June’ which is due to be released at the end of 2019.

Lazarus

Pop phenomenon David Bowie died on January 10th 2016. One of his very last projects was the musical Lazarus. He developed the musical with Enda Walsh and director Ivo van Hove. Lazarus is a sequel to the book The Man Who Fell to Earth by Walter Tevis. Bowie himself played the role of Thomas Newton in the film adaptation from 1976, directed by Nicolas Roeg. In Lazarus we meet Thomas Newton again. The show is an adventurous trip through Bowie's genius mind. A journey that is of course framed with legendary Bowie hits, including 'Heroes', 'Absolute Beginners', 'Changes', 'All the Young Dudes', 'This is not America' and of course 'Lazarus', written for the musical and later released on Bowie's latest album Blackstar.

The Dutch production of Lazarus is produced by Stage Entertainment The Netherlands by arrangement with Robert Fox and Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment and The New York Theatre Workshop.

VH1 Storytellers set due on vinyl in October

“And so the story goes”

This Friday (23rd August) sees the 20th anniversary of David Bowie’s hugely entertaining musical performance with hilarious spoken interludes at The Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom in New York for the VH1 Storytellers series.

In celebration, Parlophone will release a limited edition double vinyl LP on 11th October, 2019, with four bonus recordings not included on the original 2009 CD.

Keep reading for more details.

#BowieStorytellers

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DAVID BOWIE - VH1 STORYTELLERS

AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON STRICTLY LIMITED DOUBLE VINYL 

RELEASED ON PARLOPHONE 11th October 2019

On the 23rd of August 1999, David Bowie played an intimate set for invited guests at The Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom in New York for the VH1 Storytellers series. Ten years later in 2009 a CD/DVD/Download of the evening was released, and now 20 years on the most complete version available will be released as a strictly limited edition double vinyl LP.

The VH1 Storytellers TV series debuted in 1996 and featured several of music’s biggest names performing in front of a live audience while telling stories about the inspirations and memories associated with each song. Among the artists the show has hosted are Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Bee Gees, Kanye West & Steely Dan.

The Bowie set has long been regarded as one of the most memorable episodes in VH1 Storytellers history, with David delving deep in to his catalogue to perform tracks such as ‘Can’t Help Thinking About Me’ for the first time in 33 years, Aladdin Sane’s ‘Drive-In Saturday' which he had not performed since 1974 and ‘Word On A Wing’ which received its first outing in 23 years.

Bill Flanagan, Executive Producer of the VH1 Storytellers “We were used to dealing with legendary musicians. Still, landing David Bowie was more than a big booking. There’s no way to say this without being corny: it was an honour. Bowie has a unique place in rock & roll. He is not only one of the most influential musicians of the era, he does nothing unless he is fully committed”.

DAVID BOWIE VH1 STORYTELLERS

Side 1:

1. Life On Mars?

2. Rebel Rebel (truncated)

3. Thursday’s Child

Side 2:

1. Can’t Help Thinking About Me

2. China Girl

3. Seven

Side 3:

1. Drive-In Saturday

2. Word On A Wing

3. Survive*

Side 4:

1. I Can’t Read*

2. Always Crashing In The Same Car*

3. If I’m Dreaming My Life*

*Bonus recordings not included on the original CD.

DAVID BOWIE ‘VH1 STORYTELLERS’ is released on Parlophone 11th October 2019

Bowie Bandstand gets Grade II listing on 50th Anniversary

“It was ragged and naïve, It was Heaven”

On the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s historic appearance at the Growth Summer Festival on 16th August, 1969, the bandstand in Croydon Recreation Ground in Beckenham (on which he performed on the day), has received Grade II listing status on the advice of Historic England.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), Rebecca Pow, said:

“David Bowie is a cultural icon and 50 years on from his performance at the ‘Bowie Bandstand’ in Beckenham it is right that we remember his influence on music and culture in this way. Our country's music industry is a huge success story and artists like David Bowie will always play an important role in how the rest of the world views the UK, helping us to attract millions of visitors each year to experience and enjoy our rich history and culture."

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said:

“Walking past this typical yet characterful bandstand, you probably wouldn’t expect it was once the stage for a young man who would become one of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century. It is a rare survival from a historic iron foundry in its own right, but its significance as a site that inspired David Bowie shows us how powerful our historic places can be and how important it is that we protect them so they will continue to inspire people for years to come.”

The bandstand itself was built in 1905, to the design of the McCallum and Hope Iron Foundry and is thought to be the only bandstand from this foundry still standing in Britain. Today it is owned by Bromley Council and watched over by the Friends of Croydon Road Recreation Ground.

The bandstand was the stage from which the 22-year-old Bowie performed a set and compered proceedings at the one-day festival. The event inspired him to write Memory Of A Free Festival, a seven minute song recorded for his second album (released in November 1969), and issued as a two-part single in June the following year.

Croydon Road Recreation Ground has played host to a one-day festival in August for many years since the Growth Summer Festival of 1969. Today known as Bowie’s Beckenham Oddity, this year’s festival takes place tomorrow (Saturday 17th August), 50 years and a day since Bowie’s original appearance.

Many thanks to the organisers of Bowie’s Beckenham Oddity Festival and Members of the Friends of Croydon Rec, Wendy Faulkner and Brian Blandford, and everybody else involved with the recognition of the Bowie Bandstand’s significance.

BOWIE’S BECKENHAM ODDITY is an annual fundraiser which was supported by David Bowie when he provided signed items for auction at the event. This year the Bowie Archive has donated a postcard signed by him on the 40th anniversary of the event in 2009.

FOOTNOTE: The montage here is an amalgamation of David Bebbington’s original photograph of David Bowie performing on the bandstand 50 years ago today and Sara Captain 's painting of that picture.

#bowiesbeckenhamoddity  #bowiesbandstand  #SpaceOddity50

Bowie By O'Neill retail edition due Thursday

“Yes, I’ve read the morning papers”

The long-awaited retail edition of Bowie by O'Neill: The definitive collection with unseen images by Terry O'Neill is published this Thursday, 8th August.

With more than 500 photographs including contact sheets published here for the first time and an introduction from Terry discussing in detail his experiences of working with David, this is the ultimate portrait of an inspiring, challenging and ever-changing artist. O’Neill had a close working relationship with David Bowie, including photographing the iconic “Jumping Dog” image used for the promotion of Diamond Dogs.

David once said: “The great thing about Terry was that I was always guaranteed a centrespread in the papers after a photo session with him.”

A picture from the particular session illustrated here was first published in the Daily Mirror in January 1975. For UK  fans at least, these spreads were always a very welcome first glimpse of a new Bowie look.

Terry O’Neill said: “When I first started to collect all my images and contact sheets of David Bowie, I didn’t realize how many I had! That first phone call I received to work with Bowie resulted in a real partnership between us; I was lucky enough to get that call and smart enough to say yes. He was a one-of-a kind, always changing and a true genius. It gives me great pleasure to be able to share with the world the images I captured and my memories of working with this extraordinary artist. He has the most loyal fans I’ve ever come across and I truly hope this book brings them a lot of joy.”

The Iconic Images store is offering just 300 copies of Bowie by O’Neill signed by Terry.

@terryoneillofficial @iconicimagesnet

#BOWIEbyONEILL 

Iman honoured with the Franca Sozzani Award

“Give my children sunny smiles”

Congratulations to Iman with the news that she will be honoured with the Franca Sozzani Award for her humanitarian work and efforts to make the fashion industry more diverse.

The accolade was established by the family of the late Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani and recognises women for their careers in the arts and their dedication to charitable organisations.

The 64-year-old model will receive the award at an event at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice on 27 August. It will be hosted by Sozzani's son, photographer and film director Francesco Carrozzini, who established the award with his wife Bee Shaffer, daughter of U.S. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

“Iman's work has disrupted the fashion industry in a way similar to Franca's: bold, innovative and inclusive," Carrozzini said in a statement. "Using her platform to the best of its potential, Iman's work from lobbying the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) for an increase of diversity on the runway to impactful humanitarian work, displays her true passion and focus. We are truly honoured for her to accept the Franca Sozzani Award.”

Iman follows in the footsteps of Julianne Moore, who was the first-ever recipient of the award back in 2017, and Salma Hayek, who was feted last year.

The supermodel began her career in 1975 and was a muse of designers Gianni Versace, Halston, Calvin Klein, and Yves Saint Laurent. She went on to develop her make-up collection, IMAN Cosmetics, which caters specifically for women of colour.

Iman has also been involved in humanitarian work for the Children's Defense Fund, Action Against Hunger, and the Raise Hope For Congo campaign. (Source)

FOOTNOTE: David and Iman are pictured here at the 2007 Food Bank of New York Can-Do Awards Dinner.

#DavidAndIman 

Remembering Haywood Stenton 'John' Jones

“When the father steps aside, At the wrong time”

Fifty years ago today on the 5th of August 1969, David Bowie's father, Haywood Stenton 'John' Jones, died of pneumonia (aged just 56), at the family home in Bromley.

In 1993, David spoke to writer and fellow one-time Bromley resident, Hanif Kureishi, about the loss of his father.

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“It was at a point when I was just beginning to grow up a little bit and appreciate that I would have to stretch out my hand a little for us ever to get to know each other. He just died at the wrong damn time, because there were so many things I would have loved to have said to him and asked him about.

All those stereotypical regrets when your father dies and you haven’t completed your relationship. I felt so...Damn! Wrong time! Not now, not now!”

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David is pictured with both parents (John and Margaret Mary 'Peggy' Jones) top left in our montage and bottom left with his father and cousin Kristina.

Haywood Stenton "John" Jones - 21 November 1912 to 5 August 1969

First ever full-page Bowie press advert is fifty

“Me, I’m fresh on your pages”

The first ever David Bowie full-page press advert appeared fifty years ago today (2nd August 1969), in the American trade magazine, Billboard.

Not the most exciting advert visually, but it conveyed the message well enough. The folks at Mercury were serious about their new boy and they wanted to show it.

This was in celebration of the release of the Space Oddity 45 on Mercury in the US, and it was certainly a lot more than Philips in the UK were doing to promote the new record at this point.

If you think you know of an earlier David Bowie full-page press advert, published anywhere in the world, please let us know about it.

#DBAOTW

Official Bowie 2020 A3 wall calendar pre-order

“Hang him on my wall”

Pre-order here.

#BowieA3Calendar2020 

Official Bowie 2020 limited wall calendar pre-order

“It burns my wall with time”

Pre-order here.

#BowieLtdCalendar2020 

Denis O’Regan opens gallery in Hammersmith

“I'd like to launch a gallery, Put you all inside my show”

On the evening that the UK recorded its hottest day ever (Thursday 25th July), the new Denis O'Regan Gallery W6 was successfully launched in London. Here’s a bit of info:

As one of Britain’s top rock photographers, Denis O’Regan has collaborated with legendary artists including David Bowie, Queen and the Rolling Stones, creating iconic images and capturing both the grit and the glamour of rock star life.

His illustrious 45 year career has seen him serve as official photographer at international festivals such as Glastonbury, Download & Coachella, and on tour for legendary performers including Duran Duran, Thin Lizzy, Spandau Ballet and Pink Floyd.

His astounding archive serves as a social history of contemporary music, documenting the emergence and growth of movements such as Punk & New Wave, New Romantic, Heavy Metal and Grunge.

Famous for his deceptively relaxed approach, Denis’s easy-going personality ensured Access All Areas on lengthy world tours with a host of seminal musicians and bands, and the natural intimacy of his photographs is due to the friendships he forged in the process. His comprehensive back catalogue features hundreds of thousands of photographs, taken during travels through more than half the world’s nations.

Many of Denis’s iconic images will be shown at the gallery - David Bowie in Thailand & Singapore, Freddie Mercury and Queen at Wembley Stadium and their final ever show, at Knebworth, and Spandau Ballet and Pink Floyd images from their international tours.

Long before drones were used for crowd shots, Denis took his life in his hands and climbed the scaffolding at Milton Keynes Bowl for his famous shot of David Bowie’s Serious Moonlight show, capturing the 63,000 audience of smiling faces as far as the eye could see.

And now, for the first time ever, he’s bringing this entire rock & roll archive under one roof with the opening of the Denis O’Regan Gallery in Hammersmith.

The gallery will serve as a retail space with a large selection of Denis’s limited edition prints for sale as well as unique pieces available only at the gallery. His signed limited edition boxed set ‘Ricochet : David Bowie 1983’ which is the only David Bowie book in the permanent collection in London’s V&A Museum, and Duran Duran’s ‘Careless Memories’ will also be available to purchase.

Denis O’Regan

271 King Street

London

W6 9QF

#GalleryW6  #DavidBowieRicochet

Space Oddity (2019 Mix) video online at midday UK

“Commencing countdown, engines on”

As promised yesterday, the new David Bowie video for Space Oddity (2019 mix) that premiered at The Kennedy Center in Washington a few hours ago, and shortly afterwards in Times Square in New York, will be available to view online from midday UK time (BST), today.

The video will be viewable on the David Bowie YouTube channel and you can watch it for the first time with other fans by tuning in live at 12:00pm.

The chat is open now so follow this link to interact with other fans while you wait:

#SpaceOddity50  #Apollo50th

Space Oddity video in Washington and Times Square tonight

“Under the moonlight, this serious moonlight”

As you know, the new David Bowie video for Space Oddity (2019 mix) will be premiered at a NASA event at The Kennedy Center in Washington this evening. The premiere will commemorate 50 years since Apollo 11 landed on the Moon, as well as the 50th anniversary of Space Oddity’s original release.

Shortly afterwards (somewhere between 22:30 and 23:00 ish local time (EST)), the video (without sound) will be aired in Times Square. It was originally to be shown with sound, but due to the extreme heat advisory for today (20th July), the City of NY has cancelled all outdoor events for the health and safety of the public.

Space Oddity 2019 will be available to view online tomorrow from midday UK time (BST), stay tuned for more details tomorrow morning.

The video features footage of David Bowie performing Space Oddity at his 50th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden in 1997 (directed by Tim Pope), married to footage shot and directed by Édouard Lock (the founder and choreographer of the Montreal dance troupe La La La Human Steps), for the onscreen back drop of Bowie’s 1990 Sound & Vision tour.

Go here for the full press release regarding the video for Space Oddity (2019 mix).

#SpaceOddity50  #Apollo50th