Its answer was law, Its logic stopped war...
Well the headline says it all...if you're hoping to get along to see David Bowie at Meltdown, please vote in the latest poll, it could be to your collective advantage. As ever, you can find the link to the poll in the MUTATIONS box.
I'm just about the best...Part 386
In the NME piece we posted yesterday I had a link to the magazine's feature about how they chose the top 50 artists who have had the biggest influence on NME. David came fourth in their table, but seeing as the three artists above him were all bands, that means that he was the most influential solo artist as far as NME was concerned. Here is how they arrived at their conclusion:
"The list takes into account: Appearances on front covers. Volume and significance of features. Dominance of end of year writers polls. The response from our readers in the weekly letters page. The presence of their name and influence in the paper (e.g. the number of acts referred to as the new them, the endless questioning of other artists for their opinions of them, the terrible pun headlines on their name or song titles...). And the speed with which they took over."
Click on either of the images in this piece to take you to the NME site for the full top ten, meanwhile, here is another of the covers this time dating from May 15th 1976, with David's hilarious accompanying text.
"Red Square. Buying Sputnik brand cigarettes in GUMs, the huge empty aircraft hanger like departmental store in Moscow. Earlier in the 70's I had had an amazingly torrid affair with a French student teacher. She couldn't speak a word of English and my French stopped at buying Gauloises. I thrill at the memory of smuggling her into the Intourist Hotel, past the unsmiling Arthur Mullard female guard on the 7th floor. Oh, it still makes my toes curl. What a joy. In this pic, taken four years later, I'm obviously telling the photographer to keep his eyes peeled for her."
Do not adjust your set...normal service will resume shortly, possibly.
Designed by Rex Ray, signed by David Bowie, shaken by Blammo.
I shake...And stare at the watery moon...
Just one item again this week, and it's another delicious
This 18" x 24" (approx) print is also signed by David, and you can have a look at the non-shaking lovely little Ziggy kid print on eBay by clicking on the image above.
There you go, Cover me, cover me...
Available in London today and across the rest of the UK from tomorrow, this week's NME celebrates it's fiftieth year with a look back through its archives...and it got David Bowie to join in. Over a period of thirty years, David has graced the cover of NME twenty one times, (more than any other artist) and they are all reprinted in this issue with specially written comments from David to accompany each of them.
Below is just one of those covers, dating from November 16th 1974. Features like this were an important source of information to fans outside of the US at this time, as (apart from four shows in Canada) this particular tour never left the USA. Plus it was the best way for us fans to keep up with how we were meant to have our hair! Underneath the cover is David's accompanying text. Hopefully we'll post the lot once the magazine is out of the shops.
"This must have been shot in America as this tour never made it to the UK. Having built a multi thousand dollar city-street set for Diamond Dogs, on a whim, I went all Philly soul and dumped the lot, leaving it in L.A. This made me broke. I didn't care. I was on drugs. Wow, we really rocked. These trousers came from an Army and Navy type store in Chicago. Ava Cherry, my girlfriend at the time, bought me the top from the same store the next day thinking I'd forgotten to buy the complete outfit."
Baby, baby, I'll never let you down...
While we're on the subject of Ziggy kids (sort of), BowieNetters Dano and Daze-e have informed me that they are the proud parents of Viba Bowie Battista, the first BowieNet baby (unless you know differently?). Viba was born at 10:25 on 27th March 2002 at the Royal Free Hospital, London, and he weighed in at 6lb 3oz.
Dano and Daze-e met at Glastonbury 2000 just as Bowie came on stage. Click on the ultrasound image to take you to their beautifully designed site that owes more than a little to the work of the designer mentioned in the eBay piece above. They chose to use the look of the 'hours...' cover because it's the album Daze-e insisted on listening to over and over whilst in labour.
David had this message for the couple:
"Huge congrats on the arrival of VBB. Welcome to getting up all night."
And he should know!
Pray and the 'Heathen' lie will disappear...
We are very proud to reveal the beautiful new cover for David Bowie's next release, 'Heathen'. I won't say anymore apart from telling you that you should take a look at the press release below, as I'm sure you're not reading this anyway! };-)
Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bowie's 'Heathen' Sleeve Unveiled
New York, 15th April 2002.
Today ISO/Columbia records revealed the cover for David Bowie's new album 'Heathen'.
The cover of the album, due for release on ISO/Columbia Records on June 10th, will feature a startling picture of Bowie by noted photographer Markus Klinko and his partner Indrani.
To complement the amazing shots of Bowie that were taken earlier this year in New York, David enlisted the innovative British designer Jonathan Barnbrook to provide an individual and original typeface for the sleeve.
Post-production work on the image's eyes was then carried out by photographer Markus Klinko's partner and computer whiz, Indrani.
'Heathen' will be Bowie's 25th album and sees him re-uniting with producer Tony Visconti for the first time in 20 years, the album also sees appearances from Who guitarist Pete Townshend and Foo Fighter Dave Grohl.
To accompany the album Bowie will be embarking upon a series of live dates throughout Europe and the US more details of which will be announced soon.
"I told you I was gonna go get my hair cut!"
David Bowie last week by Frank Ockenfels.
The European cannon is here...
We can exclusively reveal full details of three more European shows for David Bowie this summer. David will be playing in Norway on July 3rd, in Denmark on July 5th and in Belgium on July 7th. Yippee!
See the full press release below, with contact details, etc.
Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAVID BOWIE ANNOUNCES FIRST EUROPEAN LIVE DATES FOR SUMMER
David Bowie has announced the first in a series of live performances to tie in with the release of his new album ?Heathen? released on ISO/Columbia Records on June 10th.
Bowie will be playing in Norway on July 3rd, Denmark on July 5th and in Belgium on July 7th.
Prior to these shows Bowie will be appearing at the Meltdown Festival in London and is tipped to be taking part in Moby?s ?Area 2? tour of the US later on in the year. More shows in Europe and the US will be announced shortly.
The European dates in full are as follows;
July 3rd Quart Festival.
Odderøya, Kristiansand, Norway.
Support will come from The White Stripes.
Tickets are priced Nok 350
On sale now on 47 815 33 133 or
Online at
July 5th Horsens Denmark.
FriluftsScenen Lunden, Sundvej, 1DK-8700 Horsens.
Support will come from The White Stripes.
Tickets are priced Dkr. 480
On sale April 20th from
Horsens Ny Teater 45 75 60 23 44 or
Online at
July 7th Belgium Beach Festival,
Hippodroom, Koningin Astridlaan, 8400 Ostend, Belgium.
Support will come from No Doubt, Jamiroquai and others tbc.
Ticket price 46 Euro
On sale now from
"I told you I was gonna go get my hair cut!"
David Bowie last week by Frank Ockenfels.
The European cannon is here...
We can exclusively reveal full details of three more European shows for David Bowie this summer. David will be playing in Norway on July 3rd, in Denmark on July 5th and in Belgium on July 7th. Yippee!
See the full press release below, with contact details, etc. This information will be posted in the member's area only for now, so as to give BowieNet members first go at getting tickets.
Total Blam Blam - (European Correspondent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAVID BOWIE ANNOUNCES FIRST EUROPEAN LIVE DATES FOR SUMMER
David Bowie has announced the first in a series of live performances to tie in with the release of his new album ?Heathen? released on ISO/Columbia Records on June 10th.
Bowie will be playing in Norway on July 3rd, Denmark on July 5th and in Belgium on July 7th.
Prior to these shows Bowie will be appearing at the Meltdown Festival in London and is tipped to be taking part in Moby?s ?Area 2? tour of the US later on in the year. More shows in Europe and the US will be announced shortly.
The European dates in full are as follows;
July 3rd Quart Festival.
Odderøya, Kristiansand, Norway.
Support will come from The White Stripes.
Tickets are priced Nok 350
On sale now on 47 815 33 133 or
Online at
July 5th Horsens Denmark.
FriluftsScenen Lunden, Sundvej, 1DK-8700 Horsens.
Support will come from The White Stripes.
Tickets are priced Dkr. 480
On sale April 20th from
Horsens Ny Teater 45 75 60 23 44 or
Online at
July 7th Belgium Beach Festival,
Hippodroom, Koningin Astridlaan, 8400 Ostend, Belgium.
Support will come from No Doubt, Jamiroquai and others tbc.
Ticket price 46 Euro
On sale now from
David Bowie has announced another in his ongoing series of live performances to tie in with the release of his new album ?Heathen? released on ISO/Columbia Records on June 11th.
Bowie will be playing the Festival De Nimes in Nimes, France on July 14th, which is Bastille Day in France.
This show is in addition to the previously announced shows in Norway, Denmark and Belgium. Prior to these shows Bowie will be appearing at the Meltdown Festival in London and is tipped to be taking part in Moby?s ?Area 2? tour of the US later on in the year. More shows in Europe and the US will be announced shortly.
Watch out for more dates to be added very soon.
The full details of the French show are;
FESTIVAL DE NIMES
LES ARENES DE NIMES (NIMES ARENAS)
JULY 14TH
Ticket price 40 Euros
On-line booking details 0892 683 622
Credit card bookings in France 0892 683 622 or
Credit card bookings outside of France 00 33 1 42 31 32 28 or same internet addresses.
David Bowie has announced the first in a series of live performances to tie in with the release of his new album ?Heathen? released on ISO/Columbia Records on June 11th.
Bowie will be playing in Norway on July 3rd, Denmark on July 5th and in Belgium on July 7th.
Prior to these shows Bowie will be appearing at the Meltdown Festival in London and is tipped to be taking part in Moby?s ?Area 2? tour of the US later on in the year. More shows in Europe and the US will be announced shortly.
The European dates in full are as follows;
July 3rd Quart Festival.
Odderøya, Kristiansand, Norway.
Support will come from The White Stripes.
Tickets are priced Nok 350
On sale now on 47 815 33 133 or
Online at
July 5th Horsens Denmark.
FriluftsScenen Lunden, Sundvej, 1DK-8700 Horsens.
Support will come from The White Stripes.
Tickets are priced Dkr. 480
On sale April 20th from
Horsens Ny Teater 45 75 60 23 44 or
Online at
July 7th Belgium Beach Festival,
Hippodroom, Koningin Astridlaan, 8400 Ostend, Belgium.
Support will come from No Doubt, Jamiroquai and others tbc.
Ticket price 46 Euro
On sale now from
Today ISO/Columbia records revealed the cover for David Bowie's new album 'Heathen'.
The cover of the album, due for release on ISO/Columbia Records on June 11th, will feature a startling picture of Bowie by noted photographer Markus Klinko and his partner Indrani.
To complement the amazing shots of Bowie that were taken earlier this year in New York, David enlisted the innovative British designer Jonathan Barnbrook to provide an individual and original typeface for the sleeve.
Post-production work on the image's eyes was then carried out by photographer Markus Klinko's partner and computer whiz, Indrani.
'Heathen' will be Bowie's 25th album and sees him re-uniting with producer Tony Visconti for the first time in 20 years, the album also sees appearances from Who guitarist Pete Townshend and Foo Fighter Dave Grohl.
To accompany the album Bowie will be embarking upon a series of live dates throughout Europe and the US more details of which will be announced soon.
"His new single "Starman" is released on April 28th"
Ad published in UK music weeklies on April 22nd, 1972.
There's a starman waiting in the sky*
I've received a few e-mails from concerned BowieNetters reminding me of the thirty year anniversary of the release of the 'Starman' single. Don't panic kids...even though the release date is recorded as April 14th 1972 in most listings, the single was in fact put back a couple of weeks to April 28th.
"Don't tell your poppa or he'll get us locked up in fright!"
*For at least another two weeks.
People have the power...
Released last month in the US, Patti Smith's anthology, 'Land (1975-2002)' gets its European release today. Split over two discs and featuring 31 tracks and almost two-and-a-half hours of music, the first disc comprises of tracks culled from Smith's studio albums. All the greats are here: 'Dancing Barefoot', 'Because the Night', 'Gloria', a newly recorded version of Prince's 'When Doves Cry', and, of course, 'People Have the Power'.
Even if you aren't a Patti Smith fan in particular, you will remember 'People Have the Power' as the song that closed the Tibet House Benefit Concert in 2002 and the 2001, on which David and the cast of each night's performances helped out on backing vocals.
The second disc is made up of rare and collectable tracks voted for by fans via the internet...now that's a good idea. If you're not already a fan of the work of Patti Smith, then 'Land (1975-2002)' is a great place to start.
Also out today in the UK is the new Pulp single that we've mentioned here a couple of times already, 'Bad Cover Version'. (03/25/02 NEWS: PULP SINGLE DELAYED) Look out for the DVD version of the single that not only has a Ziggy Stardust cover parody, but also contains the video that we mentioned in our last piece too.
David and Moby at rehearsals for the 2001 Tibet House Benefit. Image: Tony Visconti.
I'll keep a friend serene.
Favourite Musician : Launch : 04/10/02
Among a multitude of online and off-line stories covering David's agreement to join Moby's Area: Two tour (04/10/02 NEWS: BOWIE CONFIRMED FOR AREA: TWO), there is this one from Launch.com, in which Moby "tells LAUNCH that he has great respect and affinity for Bowie: "We're fairly close friends. We meet up fairly often. He's my favorite musician of the 20th century. Having anything to do with him is always great to me.""
Inspiration : DuranDuran.com : 04/11/02
At DuranDuran.com, in response to a question from a fan, Nick Rhodes had this to say about David. "When John and I first heard David Bowie, he was certainly an inspiration for us to become musicians. To my mind, without doubt, he created the most interesting and compelling catalogue of 70s music. (bonster)
Revolutionary : PR Newswire : 04/10/02 PR Newswire has this story about "The first public application of the revolutionary iLoveTV broadcasting/web convergence technology on the Documentary Channel.... During a broadcast of "Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart", viewers were able to receive a wealth of new information directly relating to the documentary in the form of live web pages synchronized to the film. The pages included links to pages about the documentary's producer, and also Andy Warhol, David Bowie and David Byrne.
Better 'Furniture' : NME : 04/05/02
A large number of music news pages also covered the latest 'Heathen' press release. (04/05/02 NEWS: MORE 'HEATHEN' DETAILS). This one, from NME, might make you smile... "French duo Air have supplied a remix of ?A Better Furniture?." We look forward to NME's coverage of 'Bowie: The Ikea Concept Album' including the tracks 'Everyone Says DIY', 'Sunday Opening', and 'Matching'.
:))
Sunshine to rain, Smile for the camera...
You may not know it, but you are probably quite familiar with the work of New York based photographer/director Frank W. Ockenfels III. He has been taking pictures of David Bowie all the way back to Tin Machine, and their sessions together have graced many of DB's CD sleeves and numerous magazine features.
Well, those of you who haven't already stumbled across it will be pleased to learn that we have posted a gallery dedicated to Frank's pictures of David. You can reach it by either clicking on the image above, or going to the relevant icon in the INFECTIOUS panel.
No, it's not a scene from 'An English Werewolf In New York'
It's GAD and DB as photographed by Frank W. Ockenfels III
If you fancy owning your very own Ockenfels/Bowie original, then click on the image above to take you to a print being sold in memory of photographer Davide Sorrenti for the Cooley's Anemia Foundation. It's a beautiful print, and typical of Ockenfels' style, which sometimes puts me in mind of the paintings of Francis Bacon...Sorry, I'm waffling now...what do I know? Just go and look at the pictures! };-)
Watching them come and go...
You may remember we revealed a remix of 'Loving The Alien' a few weeks back. (02/27/02 NEWS: THE SCUMFROG V DAVID BOWIE) Well now we have the video as well, and very good it is too. Incorporating scenes from the original video in a futuristic setting that compliments the music perfectly, the film is available below in various quality streams depending on what your machine can handle.
Of course, the lyric is particularly poignant right now, with lines like "Thinking of a different time, Palestine a modern problem", and there's even a mention of 'Heathen' in there!
"Will you go out with me David?" - "Erm...I don't really do that sort of
thing anymore my little fieldmouse." - "No David...I mean go out with
me on the road!" DB and Moby at an art party. Picture by Damian Loeb.
and other friends of mine...
David Bowie has been confirmed as one of the artists to join Moby on his second 'Area' festival tour of the US. Though exact dates are still to be finalised, the shows are expected to take place around late summer/early autumn...or fall, as most of you folk call it. Rapper Busta Rhymes has also been confirmed for the dates.
Regular visitors to these pages and the
And the street overflows, With the folk who understand...
As the Roseland Ballroom stage in NYC awaits the madness of this year's BowieNet celebrations, David explains why he feels all is not always fair at times like these. Click on the picture above to take you to today's journal.
"It's that time again, I suppose I better go get my hair cut!"
David Bowie at the Roseland 2000, by Total Blam Blam.
Dress my friends up just for show...
Almost two years since he last played there, David Bowie has confirmed that there will be a BowieNet Roseland show during the second week of June. We will have the exact date for you very soon, but in the meantime I wouldn't book a holiday anywhere from Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads, during the week commencing June 9th.
Those of you old enough to remember will recall the last BowieNet show of June 19th 2000 at the same venue, which remains for many their very favourite Bowie performance. If you weren't there you can see what you missed by viewing Duncan Jones's excellent document of the event in the mutations box.
The band line-up for this show will be; Sterling Campbell on drums, Earl Slick guitar, Gail Ann Dorsey bass, Mark Plati guitar, Mr Spooky Ghost himself, Gerry Leonard on guitar, and of course, Mike Garson on keyboards. We are also proud to announce the addition of newcomer Catherine Russell to the band, a wonderful vocalist, keyboardist and percussionist.
Keep watching BowieNet news for more details.