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BOWIE FAN FOCUS – Paula Hightower, (AKA Squeakie) 48
~ When and how did you first become aware of David Bowie?
PH: I was 12 and it was probably when I saw the uncut version of China Girl. Hubba hubba.
~ First item you ever obtained, including music, memorabilia, magazines, etc.?
PH: This I can't specifically remember, but I do remember either renting or going to the library and checking out the Ziggy Stardust Motion Picture, and then watching it a million times.
~ Is there a Bowie holy grail for you that you have yet to track down?
PH: I truly hate to admit this, but I've never been to the mural in Brixton. And I only live about 30 miles away. Londonphobia does that to you.
~ Most valuable Bowie possession you own on an emotional level?
PH: The photo I had taken with him!
~ The best Bowie show you ever attended?
PH: Probably during the reality tour when he played at the Greek Theater. The main reason for this was, I had decent but not fantastic tickets, but on the night before the show, on a whim, I went online just to see what other tickets were left. Low and behold, there were front row/pit seats available - at regular price! And bam! they were mine.
~ The show you wish you had witnessed?
PH: Roseland 2000. I had tickets (generously given to me by Sailor) but I was flat broke and could not afford a flight/hotel to NYC. That aside, probably any of his Ziggy shows.
~ What would you have said had you met him, or, if you did meet, what did you say?
PH: I met him once in 1999 and was completely unoriginal in what I said, probably something like: “Thanks for a great show, I loved it”. However, after he signed one of the CD's I brought, it got smeared so I asked him to redo it and he said: “What do you want from me Squeakie??”.
~ Favourite album?
PH: I can't choose between Low and Blackstar
~ Top ten songs?
PH:
01. Move On
02. Soul Love
03. Win
04. Subterraneans
05. Blackstar
06. Life On Mars?
07. Ricochet
08. Without You
09. Little Wonder
10. 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore (Home demo version from b-side of Sue)
~ Favourite film?
PH: The Man Who Fell To Earth
~ Favourite video?
PH: Blue Jean
~ Favourite era?
PH: The Thin White Duke
~ Best Bowie moment?
PH: When I got a text from Blammo at my wedding with this message from Bowie: “Huge best wishes to you both - from David B”. I was absolutely beside myself, this just made the best day of my life even better!
~ What impact upon your life has Bowie had? Eg: Music, art and literature? Children or pet’s names? Tattoos? Mannerisms? Clothing? Choice of life partner?
PH: HUGE, HUGE impact. My life would not be what it is today without the influence of Bowie. Over a span of over 20 years I have met so many amazing and interesting people and have made some lifelong friends simply due to our common interest in Bowie. I've travelled to places I never thought I would, and in the end met the true love of my life who I will spend the rest of my life with - all because of Bowie. I sometimes wonder if this was destiny or just coincidence.
~ Do you have a Bowie related photograph we could use? If so, what’s the story behind it?
PH: The pic I had taken with him. It was just as he was leaving after his gig at The Kit Kat Klub, NYC on the 19th of November 1999. I was hanging out with Carla Rhodes, Alex Colby and a couple others and we kept trying to sneak backstage. Each time, we were shooed away by security. But then there was this moment when security hurriedly went to shut a door that opened to a side exit - and it became obvious to us why, so we quickly went out the other door, and there he was coming out of the building. It was a really nice little encounter because there were only about 4 or 5 of us and he seemed happy to stop and chat with us and sign things and take photos for a few minutes.
I had been standing there, speechless, but my friend Alex said to him, “Hey, this is Squeakie” to which he then said to me “Oh hi Squeakie!” and give me a hug. He knew the screen name from the BowieNet chat which he frequently would show up in unannounced. That was probably the 2nd best moment of my life. Cheers to Carla Rhodes for taking the photo that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
~What other interests do you have outside of Bowie?
PH: Drawing! I started drawing at a very early age and would spend much of my spare time with a pad of paper and pens, pencils, pastels, or anything I could draw with. People were my favourite subjects to draw, followed closely by pets and other animals. As an adult, life got in the way and I abandoned my hobby for a while, however in the last couple of years I have started getting back into it and am really loving it. I now do commissioned artwork as well as art for a hobby, and my most recent work can be seen at PaulaDraws.com (you will notice that one of my favorite subjects is David Bowie of course!)
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