David Bowie: A celebration of the much-missed icon
Here's everything you need to know about the superstar
Having been an indelible fixture on the pop landscape for over 50 years, it’s strange to think that David Bowie is no longer with us. Tributes continue to pour in for him - including his face made out of cake on GBBO in 2020, something his son Duncan Jones found rather funny, along with the rest of us. And recently, in 2024, a road in Paris was named Rue David Bowie.
With a number of Bowie-related anniversaries being marked by fans since his passing - 39 years since Live Aid, 44 years since the release of ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’, 24 since his iconic Glastonbury headliner, 53 years since 'Hunky Dory' was released, and the release of a limited-edition album to mark what would have been his 77th birthday – we're taking the time to look back at the incredible life and music of David Bowie.
Who was David Bowie?
Put simply, David Bowie was the most influential solo artist of his generation who came to define the 1970s in much the same way The Beatles did in the previous decade, and the shadow he cast across the musical landscape still reaches to this very day.
Though he’s frequently described as the “chameleon of rock” due his uncanny ability to adapt to differing styles of music and presentation, it’s more accurate to say that Bowie was more of a magpie. His real skill was in spotting trends in music, fashion and art – frequently at their embryonic stage – and re-packaging them in the pop and rock idioms.
A cultural polymath with a keen interest in art, cinema, mime, theatre, fashion and literature, David Bowie was a guiding light for generations of outsiders who identified with his outlier status. Little wonder, then, that subsequent youth cults and fans from punks to new romantics to soul boys to goths and beyond all claimed him as their own.
Where was David Bowie born?
David Bowie was born in Brixton, London, on 8 January 1947. His family moved to Bromley in 1953, and his musical epiphany occurred at the age of nine when he became smitten with Little Richard’s classic rock’n’roll single, ‘Tutti Frutti’.
Did David Bowie have different coloured eyes?
No, he didn’t. But he was left with a permanently dilated pupil when his school mate George Underwood hit him during a fight over a girl. It was this injury that gave the impression of different coloured eyes. While the identity of the girl has been lost in the mists of time, Bowie and Underwood remained lifelong friends. Indeed, Underwood was a backing vocalist throughout Bowie’s career.
What was David Bowie's real name?
His real name was David Robert Jones. He was briefly known as Davy Jones in the 60s, but changed his name to David Bowie to avoid being confused with The Monkees singer Davy Jones.
David Bowie's incredible career
From his early life and career through to the continued celebrations and tributes happening today, check out some of the most memorable David Bowie moments.
David Bowie's childhood home
David Bowie - born David Jones - lived at 40 Stansfield Road in Brixton until he was six-years-old.
1960s - David Bowie in Davy Jones and The Lower Third
Before he became the music legend known as David Bowie, he went by Davy Jones. After being part of several bands in his teenage years, the singer was part of blues trio Davy Jones and The Lower Third.
1967 - David Bowie shares 'The Laughing Gnome'
David Bowie then pursued a solo career and in 1967 he released 'The Laughing Gnome' as a novelty single, which follows a conversation David has with a gnome. It was re-released in 1973 and it made it to Number 6 on the UK Charts.
1969 - David Bowie releases 'Space Oddity'
David Bowie had his first big hit with 'Space Oddity' in 1969. It gained popularity as it was used by the BBC alongside footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing. This song was inspired by Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
A reissue of the track 'Space Oddity' in 1975 gave the musician his first UK Number 1.
1970 - David Bowie releases 'The Man Who Sold The World'
Following the success of 'Space Oddity', his 1970 album 'The Man Who Sold The World' helped catapult David Bowie to international recognition.
1971 - David Bowie releases 'Hunky Dory'
Following his 'The Man Who Sold The World' album, David Bowie took some time off from touring and recording and focused on writing. He created his fourth studio album 'Hunky Dory' in 1971 which included the hugely popular tracks 'Changes' and 'Life on Mars?', as well as songs inspired by Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan.
1972 - David Bowie releases 'The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars'
As he grew in fame, David Bowie took on the persona of Ziggy Stardust. He saw Ziggy as a doomed rockstar who performed with backing group The Spiders From Mars. He released 'The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars' album in 1972 and it shot David to stardom.
1973 - David Bowie releases 'Aladdin Sane'
David Bowie put an end to his iconic Ziggy Stardust persona in 1973 to instead become Aladdin Sane. His extensive touring across the US influenced the glam-rock album and the character Aladdin Sane, who he described as an American-influenced version of Ziggy Stardust.
1976 - David Bowie appears in The Man Who Fell To Earth
As it turns out, David Bowie's talents didn't just lie with music, and in 1976 he starred in The Man Who Fell To Earth. He appeared as alien Thomas Jerome Newton in the sci-fi drama.
1977 - 1979 - David Bowie releases 'The Berlin Trilogy'
From 1977 to 1979, David Bowie released the albums 'Low', 'Heroes' and 'Lodger' as part of 'The Berlin Trilogy'.
The albums were worked on after his move from the US to Europe, with recording taking place in France, Switzerland, and Germany as well as New York.
Although these are not his most commercially successful albums, they are critically acclaimed and have been influential for other artists.
1980 - The Elephant Man
David Bowie also tried his hand at acting on stage and took on a role in The Elephant Man on Broadway from July 1980 to January 1981.
1983 - David Bowie releases 'Let's Dance'
David Bowie brought out his dance-pop album 'Let's Dance' in 1983 and it was a huge commercial success, topping the UK Charts for three weeks. The album was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1984.
Nile Rodgers, who produced the title track, said of the song: "When David wrote those lyrics, he was talking about the dance that people do in life; the conceptual dance of not being honest. He sings, 'put on your red shoes and dance the blues.' Like you're pretending to be happy but you're sad."
1986 - David Bowie stars in Labyrinth
One of David Bowie's most famous and iconic film roles has to be Jareth the Goblin King in the classic 80s film Labyrinth, which came out in 1986.
1988 - David Bowie fronts Tin Machine
While he juggled acting and music throughout the 80s, David Bowie came to work with musicians Reeves Gabrels and Tony and Hunt Sales in a side project called Tin Machine. The group brought out the albums 'Tin Machine' (1989) and 'Tin Machine II' (1991).
1996 - David Bowie is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
David Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 by David Byrne of Talking Heads. Of his induction, the Rock Hall said: 'Bowie's fifty-year career is one of constant evolution, brilliant innovation, and enduring artistry. His legacy endures as one of a talent that defied form and a man who defied definition.'
1997 - David Bowie receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
One year after his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, David Bowie was awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2000 - David Bowie performs at Glastonbury
David Bowie's performance at Glastonbury Festival in 2000 is regarded as one of the most incredible headlining slots at the festival, as well as a career-defining moment for the musician.
He played songs like 'Starman', 'China Girl' and 'Under Pressure' and also released his performance as a live album.
2004 - David Bowie goes on his final tour
David Bowie went on what would be his final tour in 2004. The 'A Reality Tour' took him across Europe, North America, Asia, New Zealand and Australia and was the longest tour of his career.
While at one of his shows, he suffered a heart attack on stage which led him to retire from performing live in 2006.
2006 - David Bowie receives the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
As well as being nominated for 16 Grammy Awards and winning five of them throughout his career, in 2006 David Bowie was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
2013 - David Bowie returns to music with 'The Next Day'
Following a break from the public eye and recording, David Bowie returned in 2013 with his 25th studio album 'The Next Day'.
2016 - David Bowie releases his final album
In January 2016, on his 69th birthday, Davie Bowie released the album 'Blackstar'. The album had been recorded in secret and was the last music released by the music legend as he sadly passed away just two days after it came out.
2016 - Tributes paid to David Bowie following his death
Following his tragic death, friends and fans of the music legend were shocked and saddened by the news and tributes came pouring in from across the world.
As many people were in disbelief over the announcement, David's son Duncan Jones confirmed the news, sharing a photo of himself with his father and writing: 'Very sorry and sad to say it's true'.
Fellow musician Bruce Springsteen Tweeted: 'Over here on E Street, we're feeling the great loss of David Bowie. David was a visionary artist and an early supporter of our music.'
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones wrote: 'We had so many good times together. He was my friend, I will never forget him'.
Madonna added a tribute, writing: 'Talented. Unique. Genius. Game Changer.'
Tony Visconti, who produced a number of David Bowie's albums wrote in a statement: 'His death was no different from his life - a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us.'
2021 - David Bowie's New York home sells for $16.8 million.
When news of David Bowie's sad death reached fans, they flocked to his flat in New York to create a memorial.
He had bought the property in 1999, and in 2021 the property sold for a whopping $16.8 million (£12,110,280).
Following his death, David Bowie's childhood home also became a shrine for the music legend.
2021 - David Bowie's 'Toy' album is released
In 2021, David Bowie's estate posthumously released his album 'Toy'. The singer had recorded the album in 2000 and it includes re-recordings of some of his 1964 and 1971 tracks as well as some new songs.
The album was originally meant to be released in 2001 but was shelved for financial reasons. It remained unheard until it was leaked in 2011. It was officially released for the first time in November 2021 as part of a box set and the album made it to Number 5 on the UK Albums Chart.
2022 - David Bowie's estate sells his entire music catalogue
In January, it was announced that David Bowie's entire music catalogue had been sold to Warner Chappell Music. Although the exact figure wasn't revealed, it's thought that the sale was for upwards of £185million.
The sale includes all 26 of his studio albums as well as the posthumous album 'Toy'.
2022 - Madame Tussauds creates second David Bowie waxwork
Having worked with Madame Tussauds to create an accurate waxwork in 1983, the museum announced that they had created a new waxwork based on David Bowie's famous 70s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.
General Manager at Madame Tussauds London Tim Waters said of the addition to their collection: "We were honoured to work with his estate in what would have been his 75th year and play our small part in keeping his inimitable legacy alive for generations to come."
2022 - Moonage Daydream
In April a new film following the incredible life and career of David Bowie was announced. With previously unseen footage from his decade-spanning career, Moonage Daydream has been made in collaboration with David Bowie's estate.
Described as an "experiential cinematic odyssey", the film is set to hit cineams on 16th September.
2022 - Mattel makes a David Bowie Barbie doll
Inspired by David Bowie's look in his 'Life on Mars?' music video, Mattel released a specially designed Barbie doll, complete with replicated powder-blue suit, platform shoes, hair and make-up to match his outfit in the video.
The release celebrated the 50th anniversary of his 'Hunky Dory' album.
2022 - David Bowie is voted Britain's most influential artist of the past 50 years
In August, it was announced that David Bowie had topped the Sky Arts list of 50 influential artists from the past 50 years.
To mark the acheivement, Sky Arts commissioned artist Joe Black to create artwork of David Bowie. He made a huge portrait of the musician using 8,610 plectrums.
2022 - David Bowie receives a stone on the Music Walk of Fame
In September 2022, David Bowie received a stone on the Music Walk of Fame. The event was attended by many friends, collaborators and fans of the late singer.
2022 - David Bowie's son recreates his intro to The Snowman
In December 2022, David Bowie's son Duncan Jones recreated the intro to The Snowman film that his dad had recorded in 1984 using the same scarf from the iconic video.
Having found the scarf in 2020, Duncan paid tribute to his father in the recreation of the video with his own spin on the story, saying: "When I was a little lad, my dad used to tell me a story about when he was little, he had a friend who was a snowman. He was such a good friend that one day he gave him a gift.
"I always thought that that story was made up but then one day when I got a bit older my dad gave me that gift and it was a beautiful blue scarf. And now I wonder if maybe the story was true? Merry Christmas everyone."
2023 - David Bowie's 80,000-piece archive to go on public display
David Bowie's 80,000-piece archive was announced to go on public display at the V&A Museum.
The vast array of items include handwritten lyrics, letters, sheet music, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, musical instruments, album artwork and awards from David Bowie's fabled six-decade career.
2024 - Rue David Bowie © Alamy
The first street in the world to be named after David Bowie has officially opened in Paris. Rue David Bowie is located at the intersection with Avenue Pierre-Mendès-France in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, a vibrant cultural quarter of the French capital.
2024 - David Bowie's last-ever UK concert voted 'most magical moment'
David Bowie's last-ever UK concert voted 'most magical moment', ahead of The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Fleetwood Mac. To celebrate the launch of the Isle of Wight Festival Experience 25 exhibition at London's The O2, a poll was conducted on social channels asking fans to have their say on the festival's defining moments. David Bowie's legendary bill-topping set at Seaclose Park on 13th June 2004 duly triumphed.
Did David Bowie invent glam rock?
Not quite, but this is where Bowie’s magpie tendencies bloomed. Despite some false starts in the 1960s (‘Space Oddity’ had him down as a one-hit wonder, while the proto-metal of ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ didn’t quite suit), David Bowie properly broke through with his fifth album, 1972’s ‘The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars’.
While its predecessor, ‘Hunky Dory’ (1971), was a very much a dry run for what followed, Bowie’s creation – the bisexual alien, Ziggy Stardust - saw him creating a new flamboyant image that rode in on the wake of his friend and rival, Marc Bolan of T-Rex. Bowie’s seminal performance of ‘Starman’ on Top Of The Pops in July 1972 is the moment he broke through.
Bowie killed off Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1973, shortly after the release of ‘Aladdin Sane’. His other glam albums were ‘Pin Ups’ and ‘Diamond Dogs’. He also managed to sprinkle production glitter on Lou Reed’s ‘Transformer’ album (which contained the hit ‘Walk On The Wild Side’) and Iggy And The Stooges’ proto-punk album, ‘Raw Power’.
What was plastic soul?
Bored of glam, Bowie spotted the early rise of disco and Philly soul, moved to the US and re-invented himself as a soul singer. Working with a brand-new band and collaborating with John Lennon on the hit single, ‘Fame’, Bowie made no pretence at being the real thing and so dubbed the resulting album, ‘Young Americans’ (1975), as “plastic soul”. That said, it was good enough to be featured on US variety show, ‘Soul Train’.
This was swiftly followed by the creation of his next character, the cold and distant The Thin White Duke, and the release of ‘Station To Station’ (1976).
The Berlin Trilogy
Having become aware of the forward-thinking music emerging from Germany in the shape of Kraftwerk, Neu!, Can and others, and wanting to curb his monstrous abuse of cocaine, David Bowie re-settled in West Berlin. Taking Iggy Pop with him, Bowie hooked up with ambient pioneer Brian Eno and producer Tony Visconti.
Together, they distilled the influence of so-called ‘Krautock’ and packaged it as pop. This fecund period saw the release of ‘Low’, ‘Heroes’ (both 1977) and ‘Lodger’ (1979). And if that wasn’t productive enough, he also found time to produce Iggy Pop’s first two classic solo albums, ‘The Idiot’ and ‘Lust For Life’, also in 1977.
New Romantics and the 80s
The 1980s started on a high for Bowie. Embracing the nascent video age, the promo for No. 1 single, ‘Ashes To Ashes’, saw him give his blessing to the emerging the New Romantics with a guest appearance by Blitz kid Steve Strange and others. Its parent album, ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’, topped the UK charts and spawned the singles ‘Fashion’ and ‘Up The Hill Backwards’.
Despite scoring huge international hits with ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Modern Love’ and ‘China Girl’ in 1983, the rest of the decade saw an artistic decline that dismayed many hardcore fans with albums ‘Tonight’ (1984) and ‘Never Let Me Down’ (1987) failing to pass muster. And despite having a few highlights with rockers Tin Machine and their eponymous 1989, no one was really convinced by a bearded, suited Bowie having a go at alt.rock.
But for all that, his four-song set at Live Aid in 1985 atoned for many of his sins.
David Bowie’s artistic re-birth and the 90s
Having worked with Nile Rodgers on 1993’s ‘Black Tie White Noise’, Bowie’s muse was arguably re-activated on the little known 1993 album, ‘The Buddha Of Suburbia’. Inspired by author Hanif Kureishi’s book and TV adaptation of the same name, the book’s theme of escaping the commuter belt struck a chord with Bowie.
This mis-marketed album bombed, but a re-invigorated Bowie teamed up once again with Brian Eno to produce the industrial rock of ‘1. Outside’ in 1995.
1997's experimental ‘Earthling’ touched upon drum’n’bass, while the laid back ‘Hours’ (1999) reconnected him with a wider audience.
David Bowie's album 'hours...'
Back in 1999, David Bowie released his album 'hours...', the album made history by becoming the first album released by a major artist to be available digitally.
Speaking at the time of the album's original release, David Bowie said: "I am hopeful that this small step will lead to greater steps by myself and others, ultimately giving consumers greater choices and easier access to the music they enjoy."
Headlining Glastonbury in 2000
Despite doing his best to avoid being viewed as a heritage acts, David Bowie’s hit-packed Glastonbury headliner in 2000 did much to re-establish him not just in the eyes of his hardcore fans, but also with the general public. But it also gave Bowie a much-needed artistic jolt that resulted in the creditable albums ‘Heathen’ (2002) and ‘Reality’ (2003), which satisfied both sets of fans.
Was David Bowie married?
David Bowie was married twice. His first wife was Angie Bowie (nee Mary Angela Barnett) and they tied the knot in 1970. They later divorced in 1980 after several years of separation.
He then married Somali-American model Iman at a private ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1992. They remained together for the rest of his life.
Did David Bowie have children?
David Bowie had a son, Duncan, with Angie in 1971. Christened Zowie, he later his changed his name and has gone on to be a successful film director.
David and Iman had a daughter, Alexandria ‘Lexi’ Zahra Jones. She was born in August 2000.
Duncan Jones recreates David Bowie's The Snowman Intro
In 1984, David Bowie recorded the introduction for animated film The Snowman, which saw him wearing a scarf very similar to the one the little boy from the story is given.
In 2022, his son Duncan, who had found the iconic scarf in 2020, recreated the introduction video with his own twist on the story.
David Bowie performance at Isle of Wight Festival in 2004
David Bowie's final UK concert when he headlined Isle of Wight Festival in 2004 has been voted “most magical moment” in the event’s history. David opened with ‘Rebel Rebel’ and wrapped up with ‘Ziggy Stardust’. He played a career-spanning set peppered with anthems like ‘Heroes’, ‘All the Young Dudes’ and ‘Ashes to Ashes.’
Which films was David Bowie in?
Amazingly, David Bowie appeared in over 30 films. The quality was variable, ranging from the acclaimed The Last Temptation Of Christ, the charming Labyrinth and the dire Just A Gigolo.
His most celebrated role was that of the stranded alien, Thomas Jerome Newton, in director Nic Roeg’s 1976 sci-fi classic The Man Who Fell To Earth, while 1983’s Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence comes a close second.
He also played Andy Warhol in the biopic Basquiat and appeared as himself in the Ben Stiller comedy Zoolander.
Is there a film about David Bowie's life?
There have been several films made about David Bowie's life, with and without the singer's blessing. In 2022, a film about his music career was made and released with the approval of his estate, titled Moonage Daydream.
Using rare performance footage and unseen footage, the film was put together by award-winning director Brett Morgen, who described it as 'an immersive cinematic experience'.
In April 2022, it was confirmed that the film would be called Moonage Daydream and would include 48 of David Bowie's tracks as well as narration from the singer himself.
The film came out in cinemas and IMAX on 16th September 2022.
Watch the Moonage Daydream trailer:
David Bowie's waxwork
In January 2022, Madame Tussauds shared previously unseen photos of David Bowie which were taken for his wax figure. The images were taken during a sitting with Madame Tussauds artists in 1983.
Ahead of the figure's release, Madame Tussauds wrote: 'On what would have been his 75th birthday, we are SO excited to reveal that we’re making a brand new figure of David Bowie ⚡️
Using measurements and images from his original sitting in 1983, the born and bred Londoner and legendary rock star will join musicians past and present in our BRAND NEW music zone, launching later this year 🤩'.
Photos of David Bowie for Madame Tussauds in 1983:
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
David Bowie sits for Madame Tussauds in June 1983
Health scare and retirement from public life
While touring ‘Reality’ in Germany in 2004, David Bowie underwent an emergency angioplasty after suffering heart problems on stage. He returned home to New York and his wife, Iman, and daughter.
Retiring from public life in 2006, very little was heard from David Bowie. Apart from making the occasional guest appearance with the likes of Arcade Fire and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, he was also rumoured to have turned down a knighthood.
His comeback with ‘The Next Day’ and farewell with ‘Blackstar’
And then, as if out of nowhere, David Bowie suddenly re-appeared on his 66th birthday with surprise single release, ‘Where Are We Now?’, which was followed by the release of his 24th studio album, ‘The Next Day’. Recorded in secret, the album’s release generation huge amounts of news coverage despite a media silence from Bowie himself.
Released three years later on his 69th birthday, David Bowie’s next album, the brooding and meditative ‘Blackstar’ proved to be another career highlight.
Take a look at some of David Bowie's best albums...
'The Man Who Sold The World', 1970
Nirvana brought 'The Man Who Sold The World' album title track to a wider audience when they famously covered it for their MTV Unplugged performance in 1993, however there are many more musical gems to be found within Bowie's third studio record.
Previous self-titled album 'David Bowie' from 1969 contains many great tracks including Bowie's breakthrough smash 'Space Oddity' and the sprawling dystopian nightmare of 'Cygnet Committee', yet 'The Man Who Sold The World' is undoubtedly Bowie's first complete record and arguably the heaviest of his entire career.
From the moment the bassline kicks in on eight-minute opener 'The Width of a Circle' through to closing refrain of "so softly a supergod dies!" on closer 'The Superman', 'The Man Who Sold The World' never wanes in magnificence. Rich in musical depth throughout, 'She Shook Me Cold' is a stone cold hard rock classic, 'Black Country Rock' sees Bowie delve into almost Tyrannosaurus Rex territory, and 'All The Madmen' affectingly deals with the theme of insanity and was inspired by Terry Burns, Bowie's half-brother who was a schizophrenic inmate at Cane Hill Hospital. A truly outstanding record.
'Hunky Dory', 1971
Despite scoring a hit with 'Space Oddity' in 1969, it seemed as if David Bowie was destined to remain a one-hit wonder. His first three albums – 'David Bowie' (1967), 'David Bowie' (aka 'Space Oddity') (1969) and 'The Man Who Sold The World' – found Bowie flirting with a variety of styles including hippy folk and hard rock, but none really seemed to gel.
Hunky Dory is where it all comes to together. Joined by future Spiders From Mars Mick Ronson (guitar), Trevor Boulder (bass) and Woody Woodmansey (drums) – as well as cape-wearing prog rock keyboard wiz Rick Wakeman – this is the album where Bowie the songwriter emerges to craft an album packed with classics.
'Changes', 'Oh! You Pretty Things' and 'Life On Mars are all present and correct, and the immediate future in glimpsed on The Velvet Undergound-inspired 'Queen Bitch'.
'The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars', 1972
David Bowie's fifth album was his breakthrough record. A concept album of sorts, it concerns itself with the androgynous and bisexual alien Ziggy Stardust who arrives on earth to become a rock star just as the earth is facing the apocalypse.
Influenced by the rising glam rock movement, Bowie and Ziggy came to define the era. Bowie lost himself in the character of the flame-haired Ziggy Stardust, who he later "killed" onstage at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1973. Containing the songs 'Ziggy Stardust', 'Suffragette City' and the hit 'Starman', this is the glam-era album you need.
'Aladdin Sane', 1973
Released just ten months after David Bowie's seminal masterpiece 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars', 'Aladdin Sane' very much kept up the ante is yet another magnum opus from the rock n' roll chameleon.
Largely written on the road in-between shows on the US leg of Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust Tour' in 1972, the overt American influence permeates through almost every track on 'Aladdin Sane' – especially on the swooning musical tour-de-force 'Drive-In Saturday' and the more urgent 'Panic In Detroit', which details Bowie's friend and musical collaborator Iggy Pop's experiences during the 1967 Detroit riots.
Breath-taking in scope and without a single dud song – even the cover of The Rolling Stones' 'Let's Spend The Night Together' is sublime - 'Aladdin Sane' is rightfully regarded as one of Bowie's finest works and one of the greatest albums of the 1970s.
'Young Americans' 1975
In January 2025, 'Young Americans' was announced to have a re-issue to celebrate its 50th anniversary, with a new vinyl version. The album was originally David Bowie's ninth album, and went to Number 2 in the UK. The album was recorded in Philadelphia and featured the title track 'Young Americans' along with 'Fame', both of which reached the Top 20 in the UK.
'Station To Station', 1976
Having moved to the US to tour 'Diamond Dogs' (1974) and record the plastic soul of 'Young Americans' (1975), the skeletal figure of David Bowie was holed up in Los Angeles and existing on a miniscule diet and an unhealthy obsession with the occult. Indeed, so blitzed was Bowie during this period that he later claimed to have no memory recording 'Station To Station'.
A stepping stone between his soul influences and the lure of European music, this six-track album contains some of David Bowie's most enduring and dynamic music; the epic title track that introduces us to his latest creation, The Thin White Duke, the funky 'Golden Years' and his dramatic cover of Johnny Mathis' 'Wild Is The Wind'.
'Low', 1977
The first album of David Bowie's so-called 'Berlin Trilogy' was actually recorded mainly at the Château d'Hérouville studios in France, though the celebrated Hansa studios in Berlin were also used.
Having moved to Berlin with Iggy Pop and recorded 'The Idiot' – arguably a dry run for 'Low' – with the erstwhile Stooges frontman, here Bowie teams up with ambient pioneer Brian Eno and producer Tony Visconti to create one of most intriguing albums his career.
Influenced by German bands such as Neu!, Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream, Side 1 is made up of largely short, experimental pop numbers including the hit 'Sound And Vision', while Side 2 features longer and more experimental instrumental music.
'Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)', 1980
David Bowie's first album of the new decade was the perfect synthesis of his instinctive pop smarts and more esoteric, experimental urges. So while The Berlin Trilogy saw Bowie pushing musical boundaries, he hadn't matched the commercial success of his earlier work. That would end here.
Featuring astonishing contributions from King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band's piano player Roy Bittan, as well as The Who's Pete Townshend – 'Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)' topped the UK album charts.
Containing the hits 'Ashes To Ashes', 'Fashion', 'Up The Hill Backwards' and the title track, this is considered to be one of David Bowie's very best albums.
'Let's Dance', 1983
'Let's Dance' tends to get a retrospective short shrift, which is a little unfair on what still remains David Bowie's most commercially successful album. And while it does jettison much of the other-worldly mystery of his earlier work, taken on its own terms, this is still a fine pop album.
Produced by Chic maestro Nile Rodgers and featuring the nimble-fingered guitar work of blues supremo Stevie Ray Vaughan, the album houses the global smash-hits 'Let's Dance', 'Modern Love' and Bowie's distinct cover of Iggy Pop's 'China Girl'. And the re-recording of 'Cat People (Putting Out The Fire)' is pretty ace, too!
'The Buddha Of Suburbia', 1993
Probably David Bowie's most obscure album, it also happens to be one his best. Having spent the best part of the 80s in a creative cul-de-sac, David Bowie wrote and recorded this album in just six days after author Hanif Kureishi cheekily asked him to the soundtrack for the BBC's dramatisation of his award-winning novel, 'The Buddha Of Suburbia'.
Combining Bowie's pop nous (see the title track and 'Strangers When We Meet') with his more experimental urges ('Sex And The Church'), this is a varied album that merits exploration.
Indeed, Bowie rated it so highly that he was reportedly planning on playing it in full in the mid-noughties until ill health stopped him performing.
'Heathen', 2002
Reuniting with producer Tony Visconti, 'Heathen' is an album that no longer finds Bowie chasing trends in the way that he did with, say, the industrial rock-influenced '1. Outside', or the attempts at drum'n'bass on 'Earthling'. Here, he does what he does best – write great songs
Sounding remarkably relaxed and comfortable, 'Heathen' contains some wonderful numbers in the shape of 'Everyone Says "Hi"' and the beautiful 'Slip Away', as well as covers by Pixies ('Cactus') and Neil Young ('I've Been Waiting For You').
'The Next Day', 2013
Having long retired from the public eye, David Bowie caused a media frenzy and revived interest in his work by suddenly releasing new material seemingly out of nowhere.
Presaged by the haunting single, 'Where Are We Now?', 'The Next Day' is an album packed with quality material and proved that David Bowie still had something to say. Be it school shootings ('Valentine's Day'), celebrity culture ('The Stars Are Out Tonight') or the horrors of war ('I'd Rather Be High'), David Bowie was still on the button with hook-laden music to match.
'Blackstar', 2016
Written and recorded in secret after David Bowie had been diagnosed with liver cancer, 'Blackstar' is up there with the very best of his material. Dying two days after the album's release, closer inspection of the album's lyrics revealed plenty of clues about his imminent demise.
But this is far from a maudlin release. Working with New York jazz musician Donny McCaslin and his band, 'Blackstar' is an album that's full of life despite its subject matter. And there even some excellent in-jokes – see the reference to 'A New Career In A New Town' on the album's closer, 'I Can't Give Everything Away'.
Producer Tony Visconti called this David Bowie's "parting gift", and it's one that keeps on giving.
How did David Bowie die?
Unfortunately, ‘Blackstar’ was his last album – David Bowie died from liver cancer two days after its release. Recorded under a veil of secrecy, producer Tony Visconti called the album a “parting gift” for his fans, while the haunting video for his final single, ‘Lazarus’, saw Bowie rising from his sick bed before retreating into a closet.
We’ll not see his like again.
How old would he be today?
David Bowie sadly passed away on 10th January 2016, meaning he would have turned 78-years-old in 2025.
The official David Bowie Instagram account shared a tribute to the star, on what would have been his 78th birthday, sharing an image of him taken 50-years prior. Alongside the image of a 28-year-old David Bowie, the account shared a tribute to the late singer.
David Bowie's 75th birthday celebrations
As part of a celebration of David Bowie's life, and to mark what would have been his 75th birthday two pop-up shops selling merchandise and providing an interactive experience, opened in London and New York.
The locations of the London shop is at the site of the album cover for 'The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars' and the New York shop is close to where he lived in his final years and created his last album 'Blackstar'.
The shops opened on 25th October 2021 and were available to visit until late January 2022.
David Bowie is Britain's most influential artist of the past 50 years
In August 2022, Sky Arts announced David Bowie as the most influential artist of the past 50 years. The Top 10 of influential artists also included director, producer and writer, Sir Steve McQueen CBE and fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood.
Speaking about the news, TV presenter Lauren Laverne said: "I was honoured to be chosen to take part in this judging day for Sky Arts, as working with such a respected group of judges, I knew their conversations would be fascinating, and they were.
"The judges took so much time and care with their scoring to ensure the Top 50, Top 20 and Top 10 lists were truly the best of the best in terms of influence, and the final list are artists that are so deserving of their places.
"David Bowie coming in at number one was the cherry on top of a brilliant judging process, and it was great to be a part of it."
Have any David Bowie albums been released since his death?
David Bowie's album 'Toy' was recorded in 2000 but ended up being shelved, and was unheard until it was leaked in 2011.
In November 2021, a multi-album box set called 'Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001)' was released, which included rereleases of David Bowie's previous albums as well as the official release of 'Toy'.
In January 2022, David Bowie's entire music catalogue sold for hundreds of millions of dollars, with his estate selling the publishing rights to Warner Chappell Music.
Several of David Bowie's albums have been rereleased along with alternative versions of songs, unreleased tracks and items from his archives. In September 2022, it was revealed that David Bowie's fourth studio album 'Hunky Dory' would be getting such a release in the form of a four CD and Blu-Ray disc box set.
The release is called 'Divine Symmetry (An Alternate Journey Through Hunky Dory)' and arrived in November that year, with 48 unreleased songs and a hardcover book of photos and notes included.
David Bowie 80,000-piece collection
In February 2023, it was announced that the V&A Museum in London had acquired the 80,000-piece archive of David Bowie's handwritten lyrics, letters, sheet music, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, musical instruments, album artwork and awards from David Bowie’s fabled six-decade career.
The collection will be available for public viewing from 2025 through the creation of The David Bowie Centre for the Study of Performing Arts at V&A East Storehouse, in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Is David Bowie remembered on the Walk of Fame?
David Bowie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 1997.
In September 2022, David Bowie was honoured with a stone on the Music Walk of Fame in Camden, London. The stone was unveiled at a ceremony attended by many of the singer's friends and family as well as fans.
Now read up on the childhood homes of famous rock stars:
Angus and Malcolm Young's childhood home
The youngest of eight siblings born in Scotland, Angus and Malcolm Young emigrated to Australia in 1963 with their parents William and Margaret and older brothers and sisters, including future AC/DC producer George. Initially living at the Villawood Migrant Hostel, in 1965 the Youngs moved to 4 Burleigh Street in the Sydney suburb of Burwood where Angus and Malcolm were raised. The brothers also formed AC/DC while living at the semi-detached house. Despite being added to Australia's National Trust Register of Historic Houses in 2013, the house was "accidentally" demolished by developers in December 2024 to make way for a residential development.
Joe Elliott’s childhood home
Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott was born and raised at 61 Crookes Road in Sheffield. Ahead of Def Leppard's homecoming gigs at The Leadmill and Bramall Lane in May 2023, Joe visited the property. He wrote: "The house I was born in, grew up in, met Sav & Tony Kenning for the very time in that upstairs room you can see above me …. Sigh …. Memories!!"
Ozzy Osbourne’s childhood home
One of six children, Ozzy Osbourne spent his formative years in this small two-bedroom terraced house on Lodge Road in Aston. Ozzy told Huffington Post in 2014: "I've been back to that house a few times over the years and I can't believe there were eight of us living in a two-and-a-half-bedroom house. It is tiny! I have wardrobes bigger in my house."
John Lennon’s childhood home
Now a lovingly restored Grade II listed building preserved by the National Trust, John Lennon lived at 251 Menlove Avenue in Liverpool with his Aunt Mimi from 1945 to 1963. It featured on the cover to Oasis single 'Live Forever' in 1994 and in 2000 it was adorned with an English Heritage blue plaque.
Paul McCartney’s childhood home
Sir Paul McCartney's childhood home at 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, south Liverpool. It became a listed building in 2012 and is owned by the National Trust. The Trust markets the house as "the birthplace of the Beatles" as it was where McCartney and Lennon penned the earliest Beatles songs.
Ringo Starr’s childhood home
Ringo Starr (aka Richard Starkey) spent his very early childhood years at a terraced house on Madryn Street in Liverpool but moved to at two-up, two-down house 10 Admiral Grove in Dingle when he was 3 with mum Elsie when his parents separated. He lived there for the next 20 years. Pictured is 10 Admiral Grove in 1964.
David Bowie’s childhood home
40 Stansfield Road in Brixton where a young David Jones - aka David Bowie – lived until he was six years old. The house became a shrine for Bowie when the music legend died in January 2016.
Kurt Cobain’s childhood home
Kurt Cobain's childhood home in Aberdeen, Washington. Nirvana fan Lee Bacon bought the house in 2018 for $225,000 (around £170,000) and told Rolling Stone: "My goal is to preserve and restore it for my generation and for my kids."
Kurt Cobain’s childhood home
Kurt Cobain's Led Zeppelin graffiti is still on the walls in his attic bedroom.
Little Richard’s childhood home
The late rock and roll pioneer was brought up alongside his eleven siblings in this detached home in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood of Macon, Georgia in the 1930s and 40s. Now named The Little Richard Resource Center, the home is now open to the public and hosts a number of community events.
Bruce Springsteen’s childhood home
Bruce Springsteen grew up in this home at 39 1/2 Institute Street in Freehold, New Jersey from the years 1955 to 1962. It was while living at this house aged 7 in 1956 that Springsteen witnessed Elvis Presley on The Ed Sullivan Show and decided he wanted to be a musician himself.
Johnny Cash’s childhood home
Meticulously restored in 2014 thanks to funds from Arkansas State University, Johnny Cash's boyhood home is in the tiny town of Dyess, Arkansas.
Jim Morrison’s childhood home
Jim Morrison's home in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he lived in his teens while his dad worked at the nearby Kirtland Air Force Base.
Bono’s childhood home
Paul 'Bono' Hewson's parents bought this house on Cedarwood Road, Dublin seven weeks after his birth in 1960 and he spent his entire childhood here. The U2 song 'Cedarwood Road' on their 2014 album 'Songs of Innocence' is a nostalgic musical celebration of Bono's boyhood abode.
Freddie Mercury’s childhood home
Aged 17, Freddie Mercury and his family fled the Zanzibar revolution to live at 22 Gladstone Avenue in Feltham, West London. Pictured is Queen's Brian May and Freddie's younger sister Kashmira Cooke at the unveiling of a Blue Plaque at the house in September 2016.
Lars Ulrich’s childhood home
Lars Ulrich lived in this uniquely designed property in Hellerup, Denmark with his family until he moved to America aged 17.
Mick Jagger’s childhood home
Sir Mick Jagger was brought up in this semi-detached house in Dartford, Kent. His future bandmate Keith Richards lived just around the corner.
Keith Richards’ childhood home
Keith Richards spent the first six years of his life living in this two-bedroom flat above a florists in Dartford, Kent.
Axl Rose’s childhood home
Axl Rose lived at this humble Lafayette, Indiana house from 1962 to 1982 before moving to Los Angeles in his early twenties.
Marc Bolan’s childhood home
The young Mark Field (Marc Bolan) lived at this terraced property on Stoke Newington Common, London from his birth in 1947 to aged 15 in 1962. In 2005, the London Borough of Hackney honoured Bolan with a plaque outside the property.
Elvis Presley’s childhood home
The humble two-bedroom house in Tupelo, Mississippi where The King himself Elvis Presley was born on 8th January 1935. It was built by his father Vernon after he successfully secured a $180 loan.
Jon Bon Jovi's childhood home
John Francis Bongiovi Jr.'s childhood home in Sayreville, New Jersey. Astonishingly, MTV bought the home in 1989 and gave it away in a competition. Jon Bon Jovi was reported to be "angry" at the publicity stunt and the competition winner soon sold the property.
Noel and Liam Gallagher's childhood home
Soon after Liam's birth, the Gallaghers moved to Ashby Avenue and then to Cranwell Drive in Burnage (pictured). With a violent and alcoholic father, Noel and his brothers had an unhappy childhood before mum Peggy left Thomas in 1982 with her three children.
You can hear David Bowie's biggest hits on the Absolute Radio playlist.
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