David Bowie — LLMpedia

David Bowie
Name	David Bowie
Caption	David Bowie in 1974
Birth name	David Robert Jones
Birth date	January 8, 1947
Birth place	Brixton, London, England
Death date	January 10, 2016
Death place	New York City, New York, United States
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, actor
Genre	Rock music, pop music, glam rock

Contents

David Bowie was a renowned British singer, songwriter, and actor who was born as David Robert Jones in Brixton, London, England. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative musicians of the 20th century, known for his bold and eclectic style, which drew inspiration from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Little Richard. Bowie's music career spanned over four decades, during which he collaborated with numerous artists, including Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, and Queen. He was also a talented actor, appearing in films such as The Man Who Fell to Earth, Labyrinth, and The Linguini Incident, alongside Rupert Everett and Marlene Dietrich.

Early Life

Bowie was born to Haywood Stenton Jones and Margaret Mary Jones in Brixton, London, and grew up in Bromley, Kent. He developed an interest in music at an early age, influenced by Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley. Bowie attended Burnt Ash Primary School and later Ravens Wood School, where he formed his first band, The Kon-Rads, with his friends George Underwood and Peter Frampton. He also drew inspiration from Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and The Kinks, and was a fan of Science fiction authors like H.G. Wells and Isaac Asimov.

Bowie's music career began in the late 1960s, with the release of his debut single, Liza Jane, under the name Davie Jones. He later changed his name to David Bowie to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees. Bowie's early work was influenced by Folk music and Psychedelic rock, as seen in his albums Space Oddity and The Man Who Sold the World, which featured Mick Ronson and Trevor Bolder. He gained widespread recognition with the release of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which included hits like Moonage Daydream and Suffragette City, and was produced by Ken Scott and Tony Visconti. Bowie's subsequent albums, such as Aladdin Sane and Diamond Dogs, solidified his position as a leading figure in Glam rock, alongside Roxy Music and T. Rex.

Bowie's film career began in the 1970s, with roles in The Man Who Fell to Earth and Just a Gigolo. He also appeared in The Hunger, alongside Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon, and Labyrinth, with Jennifer Connelly and Shelley Thompson. Bowie's performances were often critically acclaimed, and he worked with renowned directors like Nicolas Roeg and Tony Scott. He also made appearances in The Last Temptation of Christ and Basquiat, alongside Gary Oldman and Dennis Hopper.

Bowie was married twice, first to Angela Barnett and then to Iman, with whom he had a daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones. He was also a close friend of Freddie Mercury and Elton John, and was known for his androgynous style and bold fashion sense, which drew inspiration from Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. Bowie was a resident of New York City and Lausanne, Switzerland, and was a fan of Chelsea F.C. and New York Yankees.

Bowie's legacy is immense, with influence on countless artists, including Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and Radiohead. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, and received numerous awards, including Grammy Awards and Brit Awards. Bowie's music and style continue to inspire new generations of fans, and his iconic songs, such as Space Oddity and Changes, remain staples of Classic rock radio, alongside The Rolling Stones and The Who. He also collaborated with Philip Glass and Brian Eno on various projects, and was a supporter of Amnesty International and Live Aid.

Bowie's discography is extensive, with 28 studio albums, including The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory, and Let's Dance. Some of his most notable albums include The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Aladdin Sane, and Diamond Dogs, which featured Mick Ronson and Trevor Bolder. Bowie also released several live albums, such as David Live and Stage, and compilations like Changesonebowie and Changestwobowie, which included hits like Rebel Rebel and Suffragette City. His final album, Blackstar, was released in 2016, just before his death, and featured Donny McCaslin and Mark Guiliana. Category:British musicians