David Bowie
Moonage Daydream Shows the Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust
For months, filmmaker Brett Morgen was lost in his David Bowie obsessions, sidelined by writer’s block. Now he was wandering a train station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, seeking clarity in his quest to create Moonage Daydream, a vibrant, fully immersive and wildly non-traditional documentary about the late groundbreaking recording artist. Decades earlier, Bowie himself had spent some time in Albuquerque while making his first film, 1976’s far-out sci-fi drama The Man Who Fell to Earth. He also preferred trains to air travel. Morgen hoped Bowie’s example might help, and documented his moments of desperation in a video diary on his phone. In the recording, you can almost see the anxiety in Morgen’s face, bearded and incognito in sunglasses and a hat, as he hurried to his train back home to Lo...
David Bowie Documentary Gets Companion LP Full of Rare Tracks
The highly anticipated David Bowie documentary Moonage Daydream will be accompanied by an album of the same name featuring a host of rare and previously unreleased material, as well as new mixed made especially for the film. The first is for “Modern Love,” which accentuates the original version’s piano line and a cappella backing vocals. Directed by Brett Morgen, the film version of Moonage Daydream will be released in theaters and IMAX on Sept. 16. The digital version of the companion album arrives the same day, followed by a two-CD set on Nov. 18 and a three-LP package at some point in 2023. [embedded content][embedded content] Among the other rare finds on the album are a previously unreleased live take of “Rock ’n’ Roll With Me” from Bowie’s 1974 tour, an alternate take on “Quicksand” ...
David Bowie Barbie Doll Marks 50th Anniversary of ‘Hunky Dory’: Where to Buy the Collector’s Item Online
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. David Bowie is getting the Barbie treatment in honor of the album that changed his career. The Barbie Signature Collection released its second, limited-edition Barbie as Bowie doll to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bowie’s Hunky Dory album on Wednesday (June 29). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The dapper doll is decked out in a replica of Bowie’s iconic powder-blue suit worn in the “Life on Mars?” music video produced and directed by Mick Lock. Capturing Bowie’s unique style, the outfit is accessorize...
Every David Bowie Album, Ranked
The man born David Jones adopted the stage name David Bowie in 1966, avoiding confusion with The Monkees’ Davy Jones. But then he just kept on adding more aliases to his roster of identities: Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Halloween Jack, The Thin White Duke, the list goes on and on. Had he not been rock’s greatest shapeshifter, Bowie would be remembered for his more subtle musical reinventions, pioneering glam rock but also absorbing and putting his own twists on folk, soul, punk, drum’n’bass, and jazz. Since Bowie’s 2016 death, his artistic stature has only grown, and his voluminous discography has continued to reward close listening. Last year, his shelved 2001 album Toy was finally officially released, and the documentary Moonage Daydream will hit theaters this fall. Meanwhile, one of B...
New David Bowie ‘Starman’ Mix Released for Ziggy‘s 50th Birthday
To commemorate today’s 50th birthday of David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Parlophone is releasing a new edition of the track “Starman” as performed by the artist in 1972 on the U.K. TV show Top of the Pops. [embedded content][embedded content] This performance is one of the most iconic of Bowie’s career, and has circulated online in varying quality for decades. The original broadcast audio was first released on a 2012 7″ vinyl single. “Starman (Top of the Pops Version 2022 Mix)” is unique in that it features a different backing track than the one utilized on Ziggy Stardust, a development mandated by Musician Union rules at the time. Bowie then sang live over the new backing track during the performance, but the 2022 mix by Ken Scott replaces that ...
Watch First Trailer for David Bowie Documentary Moonage Daydream
The first trailer has been released for filmmaker Brett Morgen’s David Bowie documentary Moonage Daydream, which, as previously reported, is the first film to officially be sanctioned by Bowie’s estate and includes never-before-seen footage of his life between 1970 to 1977. Moonage Daydream premieres today (May 23) at the Cannes Film Festival and will be released in September in theaters and IMAX. Described in the trailer as “a cinematic odyssey exploring David Bowie’s creative and musical journey,” the film will subsequently air on HBO and HBO Max next spring. [embedded content][embedded content] In a voiceover reciting a quote from Mr. Rice’s Secret, in which Bowie starred in 1998, he is heard saying in the trailer, “All people, no matter who they are, all wish they’d appreciated li...
The Reissue Section – April 2022
Hey fellas, have ya heard the news? CDs are back! If Rolling Stone, Vice, The Guardian all said so, then it must be gospel, right? If you’re a reader of this section you’re well aware that we’ve always been advocates of the compact disc. Fads come and go, but a passion for owning the music you purchase lastss forever. And with that said, we give you our picks for the best archival titles of this first quarter of 2022. The LemonheadsIt’s A Shame About Ray: 30th Anniversary Edition (Fire Records) The Lemonheads hit 1992 like a beam of sunshine, piercing the dark veil of grunge with their fifth LP It’s A Shame About Ray. And where their early TAANG! Records whirlwinds felt like an expensive J. Crew sweater dragged across the floor of CBGB, Ray is that very shirt after being washed and worn by...
The 50 Best Albums of 1972
Last year, when helping assemble SPIN‘s 50 Best Albums of 1971, I wondered if that year could have been popular music’s absolute peak. Now I’m asking myself that same question all over again. As I built a spreadsheet for 1972, gathering our writers’ votes alongside my own weird choices, I was once again struck by how many bronze-cast classics came out that year: LPs from David Bowie, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, The Allman Brothers Band, Yes, Stevie Wonder, Roxy Music, and on and on. Run down basically every genre – glam, soul, prog, art rock, Southern rock, metal, folk, MPB — and you’ll find the very best shit, whether eternally famous or sadly obscure. (My poor spreadsheet, swelling each day, originally had hundreds of worthy records. But you have to start chopping eventually.) Here’s wher...
New David Bowie Film ‘Moonage Daydream’ Reveals Never-Before-Seen Footage
Moonage Daydream, a new David Bowie film, is set to release shortly via BMG and Live Nation Productions. This will be the first film to officially be sanctioned by Bowie’s estate, including never before seen footage of Bowie’s life between 1970 to 1977. Filmmaker Brett Morgen served as director for the film, crafting a cinematic experience that showcases the depth of Bowie’s music and art. Songs reportedly used in the film include “Changes, “Starman,” Ziggy Stardust,” “The Jean Genie,” “All The Young Dudes,” “Life on Mars,” “Rebel Rebel,” “Fame,” “Young Americans,” and “Golden Years.” “This has been a five-year labor of love to honor one of the greatest song catalogs in music history. BMG is proud to build on our long-term relationship with the David Bowie estate working hand-in-hand with ...
Peloton Inks Deal for David Bowie’s Music With Remixes From TOKiMONSTA, Honey Dijon and St. Vincent
At-home exercise company Peloton has announced that David Bowie‘s entire catalog will be added to its platform, alongside three new remixes from Honey Dijon, TOKiMONSTA, and St. Vincent. Starting January 19th, Peloton users will be able to break a sweat to Bowie’s classic genre-bending songs. The tracks receiving remix treatment from Honey Dijon, TOKiMONSTA, and St. Vincent are “Let’s Dance,” “Golden Years,” and “It’s No Game (No. 1),” respectively. With the David Bowie licensing partnership, Peloton created a series of custom workout classes that are soundtracked with Bowie’s greatest hits. The company plans to continue forging more partnerships with musicians in the future. “To me, I connect with Bowie as an ama...
Spoon Cover ‘I Can’t Give Everything Away’ Ahead of David Bowie’s 75th Birthday
In early celebration of the late legend David Bowie‘s 75th birthday, Spoon unveiled a cover of “I Can’t Give Everything Away” off Bowie’s final record, Blackstar. The new cover was released as part of Amazon Music’s month-long [RE]DISCOVER campaign, which throughout January Bowie is the Artist of the Month. Spotlighted with a curated playlist, this month’s campaign is further honoring Bowie’s birthday on Saturday, January 8. Spoon recorded the version live of the track in December 2021, and will appear on [RE]DUX 036: David Bowie, Amazon’s playlist series that presents legendary musician’s best works, influences, and inspirations. “‘I Can’t Give Everything Away’ is a tune Alex and I have been playing since we learned it for an acoustic and piano show in Mexico City in 2016,” Britt Dan...
David Bowie’s Estate Sells His Entire Catalog to Warner Chappell
A few days before what would have been his 75th birthday, David Bowie‘s estate has sold the Starman’s entire catalog to Warner Chappell. According to Variety, which was first to report the news, the catalog is fetching “upwards of $250 million.” The deal for the Bowie catalog includes all of the songs from the 26 studio albums that he released while alive and his upcoming posthumous studio album Toy. The deal also includes his works with Tin Machine as well as songs from soundtracks and additional projects. David Bowie’s laundry list of hits doesn’t really need to be stated, but the deal includes songs like “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “Starman,” “Young Americans,” “Heroes,” “Let’s Dance” and so many more. Last year, the Bowie estate entered an agreement with Warner Music Group to licen...
