David Bowie
Bowie emerged with ‘Space Oddity’ in 1969, which was a phenomenon in itself. But when he unleashed Ziggy Stardust into the universe, the term ‘rock star’ was redefined. He burst the boundaries of gender, sexuality and music itself with his overt outrageousness. The androgynous Ziggy persona captivated youth and simultaneously alienated squares, like every rock icon should.
Before Bowie, the charts were pretty uninspiring. Being fed a continuous diet of pretentious folk singers or drippy pop bands, the youth of the early 70s were lost until David Bowie. His early albums in particular delivered everything the generation desired – a refreshing blend of rich baritone vocals, sexy riffs, and witty lyrics. Along with his crooked smile and ethereal charm, it all combined to form a massive ‘f*** you’ to the establishment. Bowie’s explosive entrée, in the words of biographer David Buckley, “challenged the core belief of the rock music of its day” and created “perhaps the biggest cult in popular culture”.
Over the years, David Bowie has drawn influence from many genres. British musicians have often endeavoured to become ‘black by extension’ – i.e., to emulate the style of iconic black musicians. Few succeed, yet Bowie achieved this with his explorations into funk and soul with ‘Young Americans’. He echoed this style with his playful cover of ‘Dancing in the Street’ with Mick Jagger. Ventures into new-wave and electronic music maintained his relevance. This ability to shift styles throughout his career surely cements his position as one of the world’s greatest living rock stars.
For a rock star to dabble in cinema is often a risky leap into the unknown. Yet when Bowie engaged in his first major film role in ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’, fans were reassured that he was still the alien-esque icon from Mars. And who else but Bowie could have pulled off the comic yet dark role of ‘goblin king’ in the 1986 film ‘Labyrinth’? Certainly, some deem it as cringe-inducing or disreputable – a sell out, even – but the film’s success served to reiterate Bowie’s creative prowess. Not only did he execute the role in tight pants and an eighties wig, but he contributed five songs to the film’s soundtrack.
Despite his reclusiveness in recent years, David Bowie’s stratospheric influence has never wavered. Each generation discovers his magic, be it through his albums or elsewhere. He’s left an indelible mark on the world – thus justifying the title of ‘greatest living rock star’.
Words by Zia Larty-Healy