Movie of the Week: David Bowie recording with Brian Eno & Tony Visconti

Its funny because it's true. Big thanks to Daisy.

Leee Black Childers RIP

Leee Black Childers - RIP

New Bowie doc: Five Years

Watch it while you can. If the stream below doesn't work, try it here.

Trevor Bolder RIP

Trevor Bolder - RIP

Trevor Bolder, left, with David Bowie & the Spiders From Mars

An artist in transition: David Bowie's Cracked Actor (1974)

For my money, no David Bowie film is as good as the 1974 documentary, Cracked Actor. None of the others, which are essentially concert films, cover the ground that this one covers - combining live & behind-the-scenes (what Bowie allows anyway) footage, as well as the perspective of the fans. I wonder what became of these kids?

On another note, I can't think of anyone who preceded Bowie for his sense of showmanship. I would venture to say that, live in concert in the mid-70's, he was the true originator of the style which later became (and continues to be) the style for the likes of the big arena pop acts like Madonna, and more recently, Lady Gaga. Set pieces, costume changes, you name it...

Cracked Actor was shot in & around Los Angeles on Bowie's 1974 Diamond Dogs tour, and was then broadcast in early 1975 in the UK.

David Bowie: Where Are We Now?

I am absolutely LOVING this new David Bowie single, "Where Are We Now?". His new album, The Next Day, will be available in early March worldwide.

Shot by: Steve Schapiro

David Bowie, 1975

steveschapiro.com

Ike & Tina Turner

Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, et al, NYC

Daisy's Letter From London: Nov/Dec 2012

Dear Karatee Boogaloo,

Wee are just back from Chelsea, darling. We went the Vinyl Factory and hung out with Leee Black Childers amongst his photographs of Blondie, Iggy, Mapplethorpe rent boys etc. Seems to me he can't take a photo of someone and not make them look sexy….

The photographs are in his new book - and he got a thumbs up from us when he appeared at an In Conversation event at The Society Club, a tiny Charles Dickens type coffee shop/bookshop (yes, they have those in London) to intrepid Monday Nighters who braved the freezing temperatures.

Leee had just flown in (staying at the St. James Hotel with hot tub… it's where all thee rock and rollers stay when in town)… and maybe he was little jet lagged, i don't know, but he got little tearful when he talked about Johnny Thunders and Sid Vicious.

It is because of Andy Warhol that he became a photographer. Apparently, Leee used to blag his way in to record company parties back in the day for the Buffet Table. He told Andy Warhol that he got in by pretending to be a photographer.

Apparently, Andy Warhol pointed to Jackie Curtis who was smoking a cigarette and drinking a cocktail at the Factory. "She thinks she is a woman." The implication being you don't have to pretend. And Leee was transformed.

Andy Warhol bought a photograph from Childers for $10, but, said Leee, instead of cashing the check at a bank, he took it to the Chelsea Hotel where it was well known someone would pay him $50 dollars for the Warhol check… And, apparently, David Bowie asked him to work for MainMan… and that's where he learned he could order Steak Tartare, Shrimp Caribe and Limos and Tours and all sorts…(Continued after the jump)

Before and After: I Wish You Would

Before - Billy Boy Arnold (1955)

During - The Yardbirds (1964)

During - John Hammond (1965)

After - David Bowie (1973)

After - The Blasters (1980)

Movie of the Week - David Bowie and the Story of Ziggy Stardust

Shot by Mick Rock

Movie of the Week - Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture (1973)

By DA Pennebaker. Shot on July 3, 1973 at the Hammersmith Odeon. 39 years ago this past week! Read a nice remembrance about growing up Ziggy by UK DJ, Mr. Greg Wilson here.

Before and After: Album Art 5

Now that he's tackled Barney Bubbles, and Lloyd Johnson, friend of the blog, Paul Gorman, is now working on an upcoming exhibition for UK artist/designer Derek Boshier. For details on the exhibit & Boshier's work with David Bowie &The Clash, click here.

Before:

After:

Before and After: John, I'm Only Dancing

Before - David Bowie


During - The Polecats


After - The Chameleons


Alright already - The Vivian Girls

Before and After: Wild Is The Wind

Before - Johnny Mathis

During - Nina Simone

After - David Bowie

The Sacred Triangle - Bowie, Iggy, & Lou 1971-1973

Now available on DVD at See of Sound

Before and After: Riffs, Pt. 4

This is a sort of odd one...both songs were released in 1975. I've known both of them since the late 70's, and I've never ever been able to to find out which came first, or whom stole the tune from whom. Ever. And I've asked a lot of people - even long time Bowie producer Tony Visconti who never answered me.

Before, during or after? James Brown "Hot Hot Hot Hot Hot (I Need To Be Loved Loved Loved Loved Loved)":


Before, during or after? David Bowie "Fame":

Hmm...

Haven't heard anything about Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell - The Dangerous Glitter of David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed, but it popped up on Amazon. Looks interesting. Out in the States on Nov. 1.

"First-ever look at the intertwining, outrageous lives of three rock legends. When Lou Reed and Iggy Pop first met David Bowie in the fall of 1971, Bowie was just another English musician passing through New York City. Lou was still recovering from the collapse of the Velvet Underground, and Iggy had already been branded a loser... Yet within two years they completely changed the face of popular music with a decadent glamour and street-level vibe. With Bowie producing, Reed's Transformer album was a worldwide hit, spinning off the sleazy street anthem "Walk on the Wild Side." Iggy's Raw Power, mixed by Bowie, provided the mean-spirited, high-octane blueprint for Punk. Bowie boosted elements from both Iggy and Reed to create his gender-bending rock idol Ziggy Stardust. Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell is the story of this friendship and the incredible productivity and debauchery that emerged from it. Presented here for the very first time are their stories interwoven in a triple helix of sexuality, glam rock, and drugs - as seen through the eyes of the people who made it happen."

Some posters - most available #1

I've recently started putting together my lifelong collection of posters with the purpose of trying to sell most of them. I'm open to offers of cash or even a trade if I'm interested in what you have to offer. I don't want to put them on eBay just yet. I've sold posters on eBay before & they can be a pain in the ass. However, if it comes to that, I'll do it eventually.

If you're interested, you can download a close-to-complete list of what I have here. There are no measurements or descriptions, just a list. If you need more information, just ask.

April 27, 1983

April 27, 1983
Las Colinas Soundstage
Near Dallas, TX

David Bowie with Stevie Ray Vaughan in rehearsal for the Serious Moonlight Tour prior to Vaughn getting fired:

Star
Heroes
What in the World
Look Back in Anger
Joe the Lion
Wild is the Wind
Golden Years
Fashion
Let's Dance
Red Sails
Breaking Glass
Life on Mars
Sorrow
Cat People
China Girl
Scary Monsters
Rebel Rebel
I Can't Explain
White Light, White Heat
Station to Station
Cracked Actor
Ashes to Ashes
Space Oddity
Young Americans
Soul Love
Hang on to Yourself
Fame
TVC15
Stay
Jean Genie
Modern Love

This guy makes getting arrested look stylish

Rare photo of David Bowie, Rochester, New York, 1976:



Via Vintage Photo