Today in Music History: November 10
What can be said? Flamboyantcy at its 'finest'...perhaps for the times!
David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust Jumpsuit
David Robert Jones, know professionally by his stage name David Bowie, is known as a musical chameleon for his ever-changing appearance and sound. He is one of the most pioneering and influential performers of our time, his is an extraordinary career whose music and entertainment helped change the world. Bowie's influences go way beyond just the realm of the music industry - his work touches movements in art, design, theater and contemporary culture. In essence, David Bowie is... His evolution spans his years as a teenager in the 50s to the early 2000s when he retired from touring. Of course, only touring experienced retirement.
On this day...
1975 David Bowie was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Space Oddity', the track was first released in 1969 to tie in with the Apollo 11 moon landing. Rick Wakeman (former keyboard player with Yes) provided synthesizer backing. Bowie would later revisit his Major Tom character in the songs 'Ashes to Ashes' and 'Hallo Spaceboy'.Other David Bowie spotlights...
May 5, 1973 'Aladdin Sane' - started a five-week run at the top, featuring the single 'DriveIn Saturday'. The follow-up to his breakthrough The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the name of the album is a pun on "A Lad Insane".
April 12, 1975 'Changes' - originally released on the album Hunky Dory in December 1971 and as a single in January 1972. This single is cited as David Bowie's official North American debut, despite the fact that the song "The Man Who Sold the World" was released in North America two years prior.
August 23, 1980 'Ashes To Ashes' - at No.1 on the UK singles chart. The video for 'Ashes to Ashes' was one of the most iconic of the 1980s and costing £250,000, it was at the time the most expensive music video ever made.
May 20, 1983 'Let's Dance' - went to No.1 on the US singles chart featuring blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. It was Bowie's first single to reach number one on both sides of the Atlantic.
September 7, 1985 'Dancing In The Street' - David Bowie and Mick Jagger were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of the Martha Reeves and The Vandellas 1964 hit. The song had been recorded as part of the Live Aid charity appeal.
April 17, 1993 'Black Tie White Noise' - went to No.1 on the UK album chart, his eighth UK No.1 LP. Bowie has always been quite visionary, this being most evident in the late 1960's. He believed the future of music would be a combination of acting and video. This would appeal to a greater audience. Hello MTV!
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