Aol Chat With Jimmy Page Tonight

Members of AOL have the chance to do a little bit of Bowie detective work tonight by participating in a live chat with legendary axeman Jimmy Page. You are probably aware that Jimmy played as a session guitarist on the very first David Bowie release from 1964, 'Liza Jane' by The King Bees. The group turned in a most exciting version of this old standard with our hero howling out the lead vocal with the enthusiasm of somebody who thought they'd never get a second chance.

So apart from probing Mr Page (that name sounds familiar) about that King Bees' session, chatters could also ask what the hell the riff was that the talented young guitarist showed David all that time ago, because whatever it was, David claims that he employs that very same riff to this day. This is a question that has been bugging me for a long time now, (it's been a long time, been a long time, been a lo......Zep lyric Ed) and I would ask Jimmy myself, but I have an appointment at the BBC with the artist formerly known as Jones and a chap called Holland, of which more tomorrow.

Tonight's chat is to celebrate the release of "Early Days: The Best of Led Zeppelin Volume 1" The band's first-ever greatest hits anthology. But don't let a little thing like that stop you from asking the man Bowie-related questions. If you are successful in prising an answer from Jimmy then send your transcript to me at: MrTotalBlamBlam@aol.com with 'That Riff' in the subject field and I'm sure we will make room for your answers on this very page...(no pun intended etc...)

To ask Jimmy Page a question and to join in the live event go to Keyword: AOL LIVE on 30th November at 12: 00 midnight.

From our European Correspondent ~ Total Blam Blam

Nme Reader's Poll

The respected British weekly music newspaper NME isconducting its annual READERS POLL, but this year youalso have the chance to tell them who you think areTHE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!

Visit their website at www.nme.com, and click on NME READERS POLL, under the heading 'Specials'.

VIRGIN MEGASTORES HAVE THROWN IN £1000 WORTH OF CD'sto be won by one lucky voter chosen at random from allthe entries.

£1000 is $1600, so go vote!

Info courtesy Spaceface

Can You Tell What It Is Yet?

Sorry mate... there's someone sitting there

But who exactly was seated there and why? And what strange goings-on were being conducted in the bizarre construction below?All will be revealed next week ~ But will the suspense kill you, or can you Survive until then?

From our European Correspondent ~ Total Blam Blam

New Issue Of 'the Voyeur'

The November 1999 issue (Vol. 14, issue 3) is packed withcurrent stuff: News, Book review, Bowie the artist 2, Digging through the archives part 5, VH-1 Storytellers, 'Hours...' reviews, Postcards 2, The Nomad soul, Fanmeeting Travel service, and as always the CD reviews and the Shop.

Go to The Voyeur Online

Modern Dilemmas Part 326

"Secret secret never seen" or "Psssst...wanna buy a Bowie original?"

As reported by BowieNet a little while back, the Absolut Secret exhibition at the Royal College of Art in London opened for viewing on November 25th. You will remember that the annual event gives the ordinary 'bloke-on-the-street' the chance to purchase an original postcard-sized work of art by an established artist - David Hockney has contributed in the past - or the work of a student that may be on their way to Hockney-like fame and fortune, for a mere £35 ($56 approx).

All of the pieces have their size in common and the fact that the creator of the piece has scrawled their name on the reverse, out of view to potential purchasers, until the artist identities are revealed on December 5th once buying has closed.

2002 such artworks are available for sale, and among the name artists known to have contributed this year are: former Turner Prize winner, Antony 'Angel of the North' Gormley, non-musician/producer Brian Eno (an honorary visiting professor of the RCA), designer Zandra Rhodes, sculptors Gormley and Maggi Hambling, painter Paul Rego and, working a little smaller than usual, island-wrapping installation artist Christo. Oh, and all-round entertainer...David Bowie.

College rector Christopher Frayling had this to say about the event: "On the surface it's just a fun idea but it also has a serious purpose. While it encourages appreciation of fine art for its own sake and gives everyone a chance to own a masterpiece in miniature, it also helps to provide much needed bursaries for our students." £70,070 ($112,112 approx) will be raised if the exhibition sells out, and all monies go to a student hardship fund.

"The idea came from the students...they sent out two blank postcards to artists in the UK and waited to see what came back," said curator Diana Charnley, who also warned "It can get more cut-throat than the January sales, with enthusiasts queuing up the night before the opening and sleeping outside the main door on the street!"

Absolut Secret is on view until December 5th, but fans in town for the Astoria show on the 2nd, hoping to hunt down the Bowie original, may be interested to learn that not only is the first day of sale the very same day as the Astoria gig, but queue-forming for the RCA show should coincide neatly with a queue forming across town at the Virgin MegaStore for a signing session by David Bowie later that same day between 4:00pm and 5:00pm, the only consolation being that at least at the MegaStore you know you will be getting a Bowie original for free... The dilemma is yours.

The public can buy the cards from 2 December (8.30am GMT) the last day of the sale is 5 December (6pm GMT).

go to Absolut Secret online

From our European Correspondent ~ Total Blam Blam

French Slipcase Edition Of 'hours...'

In what government ministers in Paris are considering a bit of a coup de grace for France in the continued tit-for-tat skirmish that has come to be referred to as the 'All Beef and Bo****ks Wars', the French have released a limited slipcase edition of the most recent David Bowie album 'hours...'

This move is seen within the industry as a response to the 2CD set released in the UK for the impressive 'Thursday's Child' single campaign, but worried officials on both sides of the channel are concerned that this slipcase edition of 'hours...' is upping the ante perhaps just a little too far. This general craziness is recognised by experts as an escalating madness that can only benefit the fans of David "It's content-driven I tell you" Bowie.

The offending item (pictured above) houses the normal disc plus a bonus CD ROM that comprises the excellent audio only 'We All Go Through', (already released in the UK) and an exclusive mini-documentary with a relaxed and hilarious Bowie talking about the making of 'hours...' including footage from the recording sessions and a wonderful behind-the-scenes insight into the making of the 'Thursday's Child' video. The disc also contains the full video for 'Thursday's Child' and a selection of promotional stills taken for the album. Click on the image below for a link to some screen-grabs from the documentary.

Late last night a mildly embarrassed record company spokesperson in London, who wishes to remain anonymous, but answers to the name Neville Mint, managed a slight climb-back with the warning: "Just wait till they see the formats we have planned for 'Survive'!"

From our battle-fatigued European Correspondent ~ Total Blam Blam

What's Really Happening

MusicNet, a feature on RealNetworks has listed a Bowie RealVideo documentary as one of it's Picks of the Day today. It is a video documentary on the making of What's Really Happening. Here is what they had to say:

David Bowie's Legacy
He may be 'Afraid of Americans' but he's not afraid of pushing the boundaries of pop music. From his glam-rock days as the Thin White Duke to this year's acclaimed ....Hours release, Bowie is a timeless pop icon. Watch this video to learn more.

Check it out at http://realguide.real.com

Vote For Bowienet

BowieNet has been nominated for "best artists website" at the MidemNet-Awards. And the best thing: you can go and vote online for www.davidbowie.com! The contenders are Aerosmith, Beastie Boys and Dave Matthews Band.

Online voting started November 25th and will run until December 30th. The MidemNet Awards ceremony will close the MidemNet summit on January 22nd 2000 and will be held in the Auditorium Debussy, Palais de Festival in Cannes, France.

go vote for BowieNet

Bowie On European Tv

FRANCE
The French TV Canal + broadcast the total 'Nulle Part Ailleurs' show at midnight yesterday, excepting 'Rebel Rebel'. The songs broadcast were: 'Survive', 'Repetition', 'Something In The Air', 'China Girl', 'Seven', 'Thursday's Child' and 'The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell'.

I haven't actually seen this one myself yet, but by all accounts the show ended with some wonderful backstage footage of David being, well....erm......David.

BRITAIN
The fact that 'Rebel Rebel' was omitted from the French broadcast was sort of made up for by the fact that the British show TFI yesterday showed the previously un-broadcast version of the very same song that David recorded during his last visit to the programme, even though TFI host Mr Christopher Evans certainly didn't give viewers any reason to think that this wasn't a fresh visit to the popular Channel 4 show.

Therefore I am sure personal hygiene and continuity freaks will be pleased to learn that David wasn't wearing the same clobber as last time, but in fact 'Rebel Rebel' was one of two un-broadcast songs, the other being 'China Girl'. Happy government officials at Westminster are considering this a bit of a coup de grace for Britain in the continued tit-for-tat battle known as the 'Beef Wars'!

From our European Correspondent ~ Total Blam Blam (with a tiny nod to LittleWonderlandWorld )

Keeping Up With The Ticket Madness!

Just so you know that's going on, 50 tickets to David's London Astoria show have been given out (winners have been sent an email) and we are now on to our NEXT ticket giveaway - MILAN!

See the story below and make sure you enter!!

Also, details on the Milan show can be found at this address: http://www.alcatrazmilano.com

20 Tickets For Milan Show, Right Here, Right Now!

We now have 20 tickets to the December 4th Milan 'Alcatraz' David Bowie Show up for grabs.

If you want a ticket to the MILAN show, just fill out the form including your BowieNet User name (NOT your password), and if you win, you will be notified via email on Tuesday, November 30th by 6:00 p.m. EST

Please remember:
Please don't enter if you can't physically be in Milan on Dec. 4nd.

The show is Dec. 4th at http://www.alcatrazmilano.com
Street Address:Via Valtellina 25Milano

Telephone:02-69016352

Any questions can be forwarded toinfo@davidbowie.comGood Luck!

30 Additional Tickets For London Show Giveaway

We have added 30 tickets to the London Astoria Ticket Giveaway! That makes a total of 50 tickets being given away for the London show!

If you have not already, just fill out the form including your BowieNet User name (NOT your password), and if you win, you will be notified via email on Saturday, November 27th by 6:00 p.m. EST

Please remember:
You may only enter ONCE - 20 lucky winners will be notified via email and placed on the guest list

Each member will only win one ticket.  You may not give your ticket away,scalp it or put it on eBay - if you enter, you are stating that YOU willattend the show and supply your own transportation/lodging to the event. 

Please don't enter if you can't physically be in London on Dec. 2nd.

The show is Dec. 2nd London 'The Astoria' Street Address: 157 Charing, Cross RoadW1 Telephone: 0171 434 0403

Any questions can be forwarded toinfo@davidbowie.comGood Luck!

More Conan

Bowie was in rare form last week on the Conan Show. During the taping, Bowie came out between takes (the crowd went nuts), and in his best "no, I'm not doing mime" stance, silenced the audience with a single gesture.

The songs were, well, wonderful, and LOUD... loud enough to drown out the crowd, which was no small feat. Bowie took the show out with the ROCKIN rendition of Cracked Actor.

Bowie crackled with hellish intent as he slammed through the bitter, sexy anthem, making no bones about the line "suck baby suck, give me some head..."

We have added a few photo of pre and post Conan stuff, so take a look at some Conan pictures.

German Interview

Here are a few excerpts from Brigitte Schokarth's interview with David Bowie.

The original was printed in German, and has been translated for us by, you guessed it, Brigitte Schokarth. Thank for sending this in Brigitte. ;)

'hours...' Vinyl Update

Great response to the 'hours...' on vinyl campaign so far, with 130 communications to MrTotalBlamBlam@aol.com on the first day alone. It seems that the sadly neglected format of yore is very very popular with you people, and those of you familiar with the incredible Blue Peter campaigns of the 70s/80s in the UK, will be impressed to learn that this campaign makes 'Ben Hur' look like an epic!

But even though the campaign is open for a while yet we still need more, more, more (don't start that again...anti-repetition Ed) for our petition. So if you haven't made your feelings known about your vinyl preference, simply click on the link to Blammo above and hit send! Anyone can join in, if your pet iguana has an e-mail address, and you know he prefers the aforementioned format, then get him to participate too.

From our European Correspondent ~ Total Blam Blam

Bowie Art

David is featured in an upcoming exhibition at theMetropolitan Museum of Art entitled 'Rock Style' which features costumesof rock stars.

The exhibit opens at the Met on December 6th and runsthrough March 19, 2000. It then travels to the Rock and Roll Hall ofFame and Museum in Cleveland opening May 12th through September 10,2000. After that, it goes to the Barbican Centre in London from October4 through December 10, 2000.

David has seven of his costumes on display including The Clown from'Ashes to Ashes' video; 'The Thin White Duke' costume and the UnionJack Jacket from 'Earthling' as well as three from 'Ziggy Stardust'

go to http://www.metmuseum.org

Happy Thanksgiving

From all of us at BowieNet, we wish you all a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

New Iman Postcards

Looking for that something special to send your friends for the hoildays?? Well, Iman has new postcards just for you.

Send one today

Nomad Soul News

Another wave of great reviews just came in... We have updated our special Nomad Soul news section to include these stories.

London Show Ticket Giveaway

As another BowieNet exclusive - members can now officially enter our Astoria/London Ticket Giveaway!

We have 20 tickets to David Bowie's live London performance, and here is your chance to win tickets.  The rules are simple: fill out the form including your BowieNet User name (NOT your password). You may only enter ONCE - 20 lucky winners will be notified via email and placed on the guest list

Each member will only win one ticket.  You may not give your ticket away,scalp it or put it on eBay - if you enter, you are stating that YOU willattend the show and supply your own transportation/lodging to the event. 

Please don't enter if you can't physically be in London on Dec. 2nd.

The show is Dec. 2nd London 'The Astoria' Street Address: 157 Charing, Cross RoadW1 Telephone: 0171 434 0403

Any questions can be forwarded toinfo@davidbowie.com

Winners will be notified via email on Saturday, November 27th by 6:00 p.m. ESTGood Luck!