Pulp Single Delayed

The 'Bad Cover Version' single sleeve recreates the Ziggy Stardust
album cover right down to the 'Stardust' typography of the title.

It's gonna be me...

Originally scheduled for today, but put back until April 15th, the Scott Walker produced new Pulp single has a few funny Bowie links. The single sleeve (above) features a coloured up version of the picture we first mentioned last October, which depicts a 13-year-old lad recreating the Ziggy Stardust sleeve. That lad is non other than Pulp guitarist Mark 'Zig' Webber who also has a very brief cameo in the hilarious spoof of the Band Aid video that accompanies the single.

Proving what a good disguise a really fine pair of shades can be, Bowie
impersonator, John Mainwaring, wasn't even spotted by our own Spaceface!

As you all know, there is a Bowie look-a-like in the video too, but nobody seems to have spotted yet that the chap playing the part of David Bowie is our old friend John Mainwaring. Yes, he of Bowie tribute band, Jean Genie, who Spaceface interviewed for a piece that you can find in the Special Features Archive. We'll have more from John about the video shoot in the next couple of days.

11th Bowienet Auction Live

Dolce & Gabbana label, Bowie signature...cool eh?

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear...

Auction number ten has ended with yet another new high-bid record with a staggering $700 final bid for a shirt designed by Paul Smith and worn and signed by David. The third of the five signed limited edition prints of David Bowie and Tony Visconti also went for a very respectable $182.50.

Today we have another one of David's shirts. This time it's a brown Dolce & Gabbana affair and despite the fact that David clearly didn't bother hanging it up properly (tut-tut!), it's still just as lovely as the last couple of shirts we've posted on eBay.

The Iman T-shirt that we posted briefly last week makes a re-appearance today, still can't believe you all thought it was an Isolar shirt!

Dolce & Gabbana shirt worn and signed by David Bowie!

Iman T-shirt

New Syd Barrett Biography

"I've got a tryke, you can ride it if you like..."
Syd in his garden in Cambridge. © Mick Rock.

You'll lose your mind and play...

David recently pointed me in the direction of what looks to be another essential Syd Barrett book. Due out as a hardback in October, 'Madcap' by Tim Willis is published by Short Books and "promises to both set the record straight and shatter a few long-held myths in the process." Eskimo Chain, the Syd site that David recommended last month, (02/12/02 NEWS: DAVID RECOMMENDS ESKIMO CHAIN!?) has a tantalising interview with author Tim Willis.

Willis claims to have the ultimate scoop with this one, in that he has actually talked to Barrett for the book, but when pushed to give a reason why Syd has decided to break his thirty-year silence, the author teased: "The interesting thing is not why he talked, but what he said. And, for that, you'll have to wait 'til publication..." Indeed we will, and what a long wait it's going to seem. :-(

Of course Mick Rock's brilliant Syd Barrett book, PSYCHEDELIC RENEGADES, (in which Mick recalled his first meeting with David, see story above) has the first real Syd exclusive with 320 copies of the book being signed by the Madcap himself. Only a handful of these editions are left now, so if you don't want to be kicking yourself forever more, you best nip over to Genesis Publications by clicking on Mick's picture of Syd above.

Birmingham...we Wuz Right!

Ziggy live in '72 for a mere 60p, or one Euro, even 85 cents...
whichever way you look at it, that's what I call value for money!

Oh don't lean on me man, cause you can't afford the ticket...

Had a few e-mails concerning the accuracy of my Mick Rock meets Bowie at Birmingham story that I posted last Sunday. (03/17/02 NEWS: WHEN ROCK MET ZIGGY) It would seem that a couple of the other more popular fansites have the actual date listed as April 17th 1972, as opposed to my date of one month earlier. Well frankly, I'm offended! Does anybody really think we'd post such an important date without checking our facts first? };-)

Not sure when this confusion began, but certainly older publications have the date listed as March 17th, which is the date that Mick Rock himself remembers, but most of the websites and recent publications have it as April.

Well, let's clear it up here and now...the show was definitely March 17th. Apart from the ticket above, (kindly supplied by superfan Martyn Hammond) we have traced a press ad for the same date that also lists Mister Crisp as support. And, we've also traced another fan who was actually there. This chap not only kept his ticket, but he says he knows he would remember if the show had been re-scheduled. So unless somebody out there knows differently, I think the spotters among us can sleep soundly once again.

Jr, Db And Jr

Pale-faced young London boys with red 'air, dodgy teeth and the World at their feet.
David Bowie in 1973, and Johnny Rotten in 1977. Bowie pic © Mick Rock.

Johnny looks up at the stars...

The ever-so Bowie-friendly Jonathan Ross has made no secret of his appreciation of all things DB. Bowie music regularly features on the playlist of Jonathan's weekly Radio 2 show here in the UK (Today it was 'Sorrow', last week it was 'Young Americans', and the week before it was 'Andy Warhol') and for the TV campaign advertising Radio 2, Ross could be seen driving a large open-top convertible shouting to the camera: "David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music...Bring 'em on!"

Apparently, Jonathan, (recently, and unfairly IMHO, voted Britain's Worst Dressed Man) also has a running gag along the lines of "Next week we have David Bowie as a guest on the show...", though he hasn't yet, and those who haven't managed to erase the memory will recall the particularly nasty moment when the gangly TV presenter decided to dress as Aladdin Sane, complete with poorly-executed lightning bolt across his face.

Anywaaay...Mr Woss, sorry, Ross, had John Lydon, (aka Johnny Rotten) as his guest this morning. With the conversation focusing on artists that Lydon admires, Ross, with his colours already nailed firmly to the mast, asked: "At sometime, you must have been a Bowie fan, mustn't you?", to which the former Sex Pistol replied: "Well, of course. You've got to love Bowie, he delivers the goods." And with compliments from Mr Rotten even thinner on the ground these days than they were in the bad old days, that's praise indeed.

Spooky Ghost Live Tonight

...come to the show tonight, Praying to the light machine.

Gerry Leonard, aka Spooky Ghost, (who you will remember from several mentions in David's journals) is playing a regular haunt (pun most definitely intended) tonight and next week. Expect to hear tunes from his follow up to 'Spooky Ghost', which I am informed will be entitled 'The Light Machine'. Gerry is hoping to have advance copies of the album available at both shows which are taking place at The Living Room...here's all the stuff:

SPOOKY GHOST @ THE LIVING ROOM FRIDAY MARCH 22 @ 8.00 PM - 10 PM
The exquisite Pamela Sue Mann will play an opening set from 8 till 8:30pm and the Ghost will take the stage about 8:45 pm joined by Paul Bryan (Bass) and Doug Yowell (Drums).

SPOOKY GHOST @ THE LIVING ROOM FRIDAY MARCH 29 @ 9.00 PM - 10 PM
Ghostings to occur from 9 till 10 pm

The Living Room
84 Stanton St
(Allen/Stanton)
1 Block below Houston
212 533 7237

So if you're in the area tonight boys and ghouls, be sure to go along and show your support for what will most likely be a very spirited performance.

David Bowie 1962-1968 Out Now

Staying back in your memory...

BowieNetters Alex Alexander and Pete Foulstone have finished their latest limited edition, DAVID BOWIE 1962-1968, which is a follow up to DAVID BOWIE 1969-1971 that we mentioned back in January.

Following the same format as their previous effort, DAVID BOWIE 1962-1968 is limited to just 100 copies. Culled mainly from press clippings, this 96 page publication collects together rare interviews, reviews, tickets, posters, flyers, programmes, and much more from the period.

Produced in black and white with four pages of colour, and, for a cover price of only fifteen quid, it's still a great way to get your hands on tons of great articles from a fascinating period in David's history.

DAVID BOWIE 1962-1968 is available from: Alex Alexander, 143 Ferry Road, Langstone Marina, Portsmouth, Hants PO4 9UD, UK.

Total price in the UK - £15 / In Europe - £15 or $20USD / Outside Europe - £20 or $30. Alex can accept cash in most currencies but can accept cheques and postal orders from the UK only. He now accepts PayPal, and can be contacted at alex@davidbowie.com.

Bowie Album In Cool Top 50

The original RCA release of 'Station To Station', the current edition of
Rolling Stone and the "Toy Soldier" version of 'White Light/White Heat'.

The Thin White Duke is a real cool cat...

The current issue of Rolling Stone magazine has a list of the fifty coolest records ever made, compiled by the magazine's staff. Topping the list is a particular favourite of David's, the Velvet Underground's 1968 classic, 'White Light/White Heat', the title track of which will be very familiar to Bowie fans. The U.S. version of the Rolling Stones' 1966 'Aftermath' album grabs second place, followed by another Bowie favourite, James Brown's 1968 release 'Live At The Apollo'.

David Bowie's own 'Station To Station' was voted in at number 21, and who can deny the coolness of a record made by the iceman himself, The Thin White Duke. David still has his original copies of both 'White Light/White Heat' and 'Live At The Apollo', and I wouldn't mind betting he has a copy of 'Station To Station' somewhere too...how cool is that?

Voyeur Facelift

The Voyeur now in production, A beauty...

In keeping with the new look of the magazine, The Voyeur website now has a new homepage. "The longest running David Bowie fanclub in the World" has regular updates on its news page, including mention of the 2002 fanclub meeting scheduled for October 6 and pictures from the last one.

There is also an opportunity to order Back Issues of the magazine and Voyeur merchandise. Click on the image above to take you there.

Emma B: For Your Ears Only, David Bowie

The music is outside. It's happening, now..

As we reported recently, (03/08/02 SNIPPET: BOWIEPHILES) , David is the subject of one of the episodes of a new TV show, exclusive to Play UK, 'For Your Ears Only'. Each week, a celebrity guest makes a compilation tape for someone they care about and for this episode, Radio 1 DJ, Emma B compiles a tape for David Bowie.

Emma is interviewed by Scott Mills for the half hour show, and what is evident from the outset is the thought and care which has gone into the selections she makes. She mentions her interview with David at NetAid, and describes how thrilled and awed she felt.

Here are some quotes from the show:-

SM - "We are choosing records today for Mr David Bowie. Why?"

EB - "... He's so very eclectic. He's been through so many different periods in his life. He'd have such a great tape... So many different types of music on there."

SM - "How did you choose the records for David and why are they so recent - current even?"

EB - "He's made an effort all his life to be a very contemporary person, drawing from influences around (him) all the time. You have to keep up with the times if you are going to be musically relevant. Like he still is today. He's still musically competitive and musically relevant."

Emma gave her reasons for the selection of each track, and had this to say about Ash. "That's what I think David Bowie is all about. This whole idea that pop doesn't have to be about Britney Spears. Pop is about choruses, and anthems and melody and beats and all about hooks."

Referring to the Robbie Williams track she said, " There were times when David Bowie played live when he did have five costume changes, because it was all part of the whole David Bowie experience. It wasn't just the songs that David Bowie delivered, it was a David Bowie experience."

She chose the Madonna track because she felt David would enjoy the video, the work of director Chris Cunningham, and the Pulp track because they worked with Scott Walker on this album, and she knew that David admired him.

In the summation, she said, " David Bowie is a complete hero. He looks fantastic." Scott Mills asked her to send a personal message to David, and she looked to camera and said, " I really hope you like it. I'm going to make a copy at home. Maybe you could come round and (we could) play it together? "

To echo a recent comment from our European Correspondent, "A girl can dream, can't she?"

:))

Emm Gryner Chat Transcript

Insert 'Cracked Actor' lyric of choice! Emm Gryner, in rehearsals at
the BBC Radio Theatre, London 2000. Picture by Total Blam Blam.

There's too much talking for a night drive...

Susans has completed the unenviable task of making sense of the chaos that was the Emm Gryner chat last week. As appealing as unmoderated chats are, they aren't so easy to follow after the event.

Anyway, Susans has managed to dig out all of the bits relating to direct communications to and from Emm, and you can see the results of what looked like a very fun evening by clicking on the image above. Thanks again Smudger! };-)

10th Bowienet Auction...oops

The logo on that very lovely Iman T-shirt.

...the great mistake I never made...

Nobody seemed to pick up on our deliberate mistake with the "Isolar T-shirt" in the new auction. The shirt is soooo obviously an Iman T-shirt, that I'm amazed you all fell for it. Well OK, the mistake wasn't that deliberate, if truth be told it was almost accidental...

I think the confusion came about because David first met Iman in the Isolar offices when she was doing some plastering or something like that. Actually I've embroidered that a little too...Oh I remember, a disgruntled employee hacked BNet and eBay and put all that wrong info in...dash it, I've been completely economical with the truth with that one too! Anyway, it's all somebody else's fault and the shirt will be up again on Monday with a slightly more accurate description, I should hope...Phew!

Meanwhile, after just one day, the Paul Smith shirt, signed and worn by David, holds the new high-bid record at an astonishing $700!

Baal At The Nft In London

"Baal kept moving onwards and just let things go."
David Bowie in Alan Clarke's production of 'Baal'.

Ragged limbed and hungry...

I'm sure many of you will have seen Dukebox's post on the message boards last month. But here's a reminder for those of you who didn't. David Bowie's performance in 'Baal' is to be screened at the National Film Theatre on The South Bank in London (just along from the RFH, venue of the Meltdown Festival) this Thursday and again next Wednesday.

Originally shown on the BBC almost exactly twenty years ago in March 1982, 'Baal' is being screened as part of the excellent Alan Clarke season, which (IMHO) includes some of the most powerful work ever shown on British screens. Here's a bit from the NFT site regarding 'Baal' itself:

"Ever since his days directing theatre in the 60s, Clarke had been obsessed by Brecht, and here committed to video a version of the great man's earliest play, the tale of an unkempt, carousing poet who crashes into Bavarian high society, leaving chaos in his wake. David Bowie is suitably debauched as the eponymous anti-hero, and lends his vocals to several inimitable BB ballads. Working from a scenario devised by the eminent Brecht scholar John Willett, Clarke's adaptation is bleak and bawdy by turns. With Jonathan Kent, Zoe Wanamaker. 62 mins."

Although the recordings are different from the film versions, I'm sure you're all aware of the brilliant 'Baal' soundtrack EP that includes some remarkable Bowie vocals, (particularly in 'Remembering Marie A.' and 'The Drowned Girl'), but, if you didn't get to see the broadcast the first time round, and you don't have a copy of the scratchy video that circulates among collectors, you really should try and get along if you're in London on Thursday.

There will be a repeat screening next Wednesday, and you can check ticket availability by calling the NFT box office on +44 20 7928 3232.

More Rarities In 10th Bowienet Auction

Smith, worn by Jones and an ultra-rare Isolar T-shirt.

We scavenge up our clothes...

With a little over three hours left to run on auction number nine, the tenth BowieNet auction is already live. It will be no surprise to any of you reading this that the Agnes B shirt that is up for grabs currently holds the high-bid record at an incredible $630!

This week's auction includes a similar item designed by Paul Smith, also worn and signed by David, that must surely command a similar price. The second item is a very rare in-house Isolar T-shirt, and last but not least we have the third of five signed limited edition prints of David Bowie and Tony Visconti. Click on the shortcuts below to take you to each individual lot.

Paul Smith shirt worn and signed by David Bowie!

David Bowie ISOLAR management company t-shirt.

David Bowie signed limited 1969 live shot.

When Rock Met Ziggy

David Bowie backstage at Birmingham Town Hall,
March 17th 1972. Photograph copyright Mick Rock.

Because you're young - you'll meet a stranger some night...

It was thirty years ago to this day that a 25-year-old David Bowie and photographer Mick Rock met for the very first time. Friday March 17th 1972 was the date, and the picture above is one of a handful that Mick took of the young Ziggy looking a tiny bit nervous before he went onstage at Birmingham Town Hall.

Both the pictures on this page are previously unpublished, and you can look forward to the rest of the shots Mick took that evening, and a detailed account of the meeting, in 'Moonage Daydream', the signed limited edition book which David and Mick are co-authoring.

Meanwhile, on page 151 of Mr Rock's Syd Barrett book, PSYCHEDELIC RENEGADES, recently published by Genesis Publications, Mick recalls his first meeting with David:

"When I first met David Bowie we swapped anecdotes; he wanted to hear about Syd and I wanted to know about Lou Reed and Iggy Pop. We talked about how Syd had had it all. Syd and David were similar in the way that neither of them sang like an American. At that time there was a big American influence on music, but Syd and David went against that and sang in a British way.

David was very aware of Syd; very interested in him. Of course, in 1973 David did a cover version of 'See Emily Play' for his Pin Ups album. There were many parallels between Syd and David early on; although clearly David had a much tougher psyche. David's 'The Man Who Sold The World' always makes me think of Syd. It's a perfect description of him."

David Bowie on stage at Birmingham Town Hall,
March 17th 1972. Photograph copyright Mick Rock.

As I say, Mick goes into more specific detail about the meeting in 'Moonage Daydream', which is nearing conclusion and is in fact on track for publication by Genesis Publications in June this year. Join the mailing list for 'Moonage Daydream' by clicking on either of the images above.

Inside 2001

what's really happening

INside 2001 you'll find some serious, irritatedand outright hilarious message board postings toremember, along with some outrageous chatroom snippetsthat will have you ROTFL! Then, as last year, abeautiful selection of Gallery postings from 2001follows.

'Sailor Quotes of the Year' is INside again this yeartoo, and includes a really ROTTEN journal entry andthe dirt from the chatroom about his big...well,you'll just have to read it. ;)

INside 'Memories 2001' are some of the fun parties,shows, and events of the past year, along with acouple of 'Goodbyes' to some important people whomwe'll miss dearly and are forever indebted to.

Finally, there are a few NEW sections INside thisissue which highlight some outstanding BowieNetMembers and Events:

1. BowieToonz! Ysengrin, our very talented resident cartoonist, has submitted some fantastic 'Sailor & Co.' cartoons for our amusement in this issue. 'Fashion' and 'transportation' seemed to bethe themes for 2001!

2. Since there are always these little microcosmspopping up INside BowieNet, one of the largest andoldest is highlighted in a new section, 'FeaturedBowieNet SubCult'.

3. Of course we couldn't leave out 'America 911'. Thisis a feature which we hope we will *never* have toinclude again. It's heart-rending, but an important snapshot of how we all reacted during 2-3 weeks after that horrific event.

I did some of the design myself INside this issue, buttook a purely 'Editor in Chief' role in someinstances, while the intro pages for 'Memories2001', 'Sailor Quotes', and 'Featured BowieNetSubCult' were designed by Spaceboys - a brilliantgraphic artist, who used to teach Photoshop and does graphic design for a living. Myself and Spaceboys hope you'll enjoy INside 2001 as much as we've enjoyed putting it together for you!

Best Regards,

Se7en & Spaceboys

____
Notes:

1. INside Publications require Adobe Acrobat Reader,which is FREE. You can get it here

2. As always, it's best to save INside to yourhard drive for viewing and printing locally as a pieceof memorabelia, as it is a large file (~30MB). (Choose 'Savea Copy' or click on the diskette icon from withinAcrobat Reader to do so).

3. For ease of navigation, we've included a smallIndex. Look for 'Bookmarks' in your Acrobat reader forease in getting to the various sections.

4. Having trouble downloading? Want a copy of INsideon CD instead? E-mail inside@davidbowie.com andwe'll tell you how to get your own copy of *BOTH* INSide2000 and INside2001 on CD!

Clarification On David's Live Dates

Many of our members are wondering about the rumors, and in some cases, the advertising of David Bowie live dates in Europe. According to David?s booking agent, ?Every inquiry we have made regarding venue availability seems to be leaking out. I believe these are simply promoters who know David has a limited time to perform in Europe this year, and are trying to create their own reality. Fans should always check with BowieNet for the official word on confirmed shows. The only truths circulating about David?s live appearances this summer are that David is the curator of the Meltdown Festival in London and will perform, although the date of the performance is not set. Also, there is truth to the rumors and statements that we are attempting to find a mutually convenient time for David to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival this summer. Again, no date for this has been finalized.

Any other announcements indicating that David will appear are wishful thinking, premature or simply wrong.?

Luther Vandross Remembers Db

"Can you hear me?" - "Yes Luther, and very nice it is too."
Luther Vandross and David Bowie do it live, late 1974.

Doing it, doing it right...

In a recent posting from the UK's Mail on Sunday on the MBs by BowieNetter Dukebox, Luther Vandross talked about his first meeting with David Bowie during the making of 'Young Americans'. For those that missed it, it's worth repeating here:

"My big break came at 23. I had been struggling as a musician since leaving college when, in 1974, I went to visit a high school friend called Carlos Alomar in Philadelphia. At the time, he was playing for a strange young Englishman called David Bowie who wore make-up and sometimes even dresses.

One day while I was chatting to Carlos's wife, I improvised a line from the album's title track, Young Americans, the way I thought it should be sung. Bowie overheard me and asked Carlos who I was. Then he asked me whether I would sing the musical phrase again in front of a microphone. After that Bowie decided to use me for the vocal arrangements of the whole album.

Once Young Americans was finished I was asked to tour with Bowie, singing backing vocals and using my own material to open the show. On the first night, at the Universal Ampitheatre in Los Angeles, Diana Ross was in the front row."

While Luther undoubtedly did some of the vocal arrangements, those of you who have seen the 'Cracked Actor' documentary will know that he certainly didn't work out "the vocal arrangements of the whole album"...Remember that scene where an apologetic young Bowie is making sure the backing singers are thoroughly rehearsed for their parts in that brilliant section in 'Right'? Well I think it's obvious who's in control there. Talented little skinny-assed white boy knew his stuff alright!

Thanks again for the pointer Dukebox.

Clarification On David's Live Dates

Many of our members are wondering about the rumors, and in some cases, the advertising of David Bowie live dates in Europe. According to David?s booking agent, ?Every inquiry we have made regarding venue availability seems to be leaking out. I believe these are simply promoters who know David has a limited time to perform in Europe this year, and are trying to create their own reality. Fans should always check with BowieNet for the official word on confirmed shows. The only truths circulating about David?s live appearances this summer are that David is the curator of the Meltdown Festival in London and will perform, although the date of the performance is not set. Also, there is truth to the rumors and statements that we are attempting to find a mutually convenient time for David to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival this summer. Again, no date for this has been finalized.

Any other announcements indicating that David will appear are wishful thinking, premature or simply wrong.?

New Work At Bowieart Window Pain Project Ii

Band of One ??from Westworld to Westlife and beyond."

When you're a boy...They'll never clone ya...

Taking over from the Pusher installation, the Band of One is launched tomorrow (15th March 2002) at Tower Records, Piccadilly, London. There will be exclusive band pictures, videos and limited edition merchandising on display at the store?s tube station entrance and throughout the shop until 16th April. Here's a bit about the project from the Band of One promotional website where you can find more pictures of the handsome devils and signed band merchandise:

"Artist Anthony Gross has produced a Boy Band of 3D computer clones using mainstream software customised with downloads from the Internet. The figures, with their exaggerated bodies but angelic looks, pose for the viewer with the coy camaraderie of the typical boy band poster. Whilst intended as formal studies of group male exhibitionism, these images also raise questions concerning the commodification of the body within a generic pop industry."

As far as I can make out, there is no actual audio product available by Band of One, which takes the idea of a manufactured group to a ridiculous and hilarious conclusion. Eat your heart out Gorillaz!