On “Today’s Backstage Pass”: He’s given us over three decades of music, and personas not of this earth. And now in his 26th studio album that’s getting tons of acclaim and attention, David Bowie gives us his brand new CD and his version of “Reality.”
Born David Robert Jones, Bowie changed his name in 1966 to avoid confusion with Davey Jones of the Monkees who had by that time become an international star.
He shot to stardom back in 1969 with his hit “Space Oddity” and continued on to break all molds and become a rock icon in the ’70s. With the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust Bowie’s concerts became performances with crazy costumes and elaborate sets. But don’t expect to see that kind of theatrics this time around.
“I’m not really very keen to put on much of a theatrical show you know in terms of a big sets and elephants and fireworks and things like that. Of course it doesn’t mean that I won’t go back on my word because that’s part and parcel of what I do for you as part of my entertaining factor is lying to you.”
He continued to top the charts in the ’80s with songs like “Modern Love” and “Let’s Dance.” In the ’90s Bowie’s music changed again as other things, like family became more important in his life. Married to model Iman, he says he writes his lyrics with his 3-year-old daughter, Alexandria, in mind.
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I’m naturally drawn to a negative prognosis if you will. However, everything needs to be positive for her so I guess I’m sort of qualified now with my writing. Everything you write down you sort of questions, ‘what are the repercussions?’”
Bowie describes his latest album — “Reality” — as “built to play live” and “a little but thrusty.” He says the album is “nothing more complicated than a collection of songs, written in downtown New York. I tried to make it a snapshot of me living in New York, and my reactions to being here.”
At the age of 56, his writing hasn’t slowed down and neither has he. He is kicking off yet another world tour this October in Copenhagen.
“I think the band has been playing so well for the last few years, I really wanted to see how we would work on a big adventure.”