The Bowie Companion - Softcover

Elizabeth Thomson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0283062622 ISBN 13: 9780283062629

Publisher: Pan Macmillan, 1995

Synopsis

David Bowie was one of the most important and influential artists to emerge from the 1970s and yet he remains one of the most elusive figures in rock. This book views his career through nearly three decades of popular cultural commentary. Giving full weight to Bowie's stage and screen career as well as his music, the book includes some contemporary articles from the British and American press and material written from the benefit of hindsight. Gordon Burn offers a backstage look at "The Elephant Man", Philip Norman pens a critique of "Absolute Beginners", Lindsay Kemp reminisces on his years as Bowie's friend and mime teacher, Anne Rice and Jon Savage examine the question of Bowie and gender, and Craig Copetas catches a curious conversation between Bowie and William Burroughs. Other contributors include the late Marc Bolan, Michael Bracewell, Simon Frith, Pauline Kael, John Rockwell, Leslie Thomas and Ellen Willis.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Despite his vast influence and perennial popularity, David Bowie remains one of the most elusive figures in rock, and few books have taken a serious look at his remarkable career. The Bowie Companion provides an entertaining overview of nearly three decades of popular culture commentary, giving full weight to his stage, screen, and musical careers. From both American and English publications, the editors have come up with some astonishing selections, and have added to them a slew of new material. Included are: Leslie Thomas's hilarious local newspaper story on little Davy Jones (Bowie's original name) and his campaign to defend "those who wear their hair long"; Patti Smith's poem/review of Heroes; Gordon Burn's backstage look at The Elephant Man; Wilfrid Mellers's musical analysis of Hunky Dory; Anne Rice on Bowie's ambiguous gender; Jon Savage on Bowie's relationship to the mainstream; a strange conversation between Bowie and William Burroughs; three acerbic reviews by the immortal Lester Bangs; contributions from Marc Bolan, Simon Frith, Pauline Kael, John Rockwell, and Ellen Willis, among others; a lengthy introduction, a select discography, and an extensive bibliography. Taken together, they make up a book that is a must for Bowie fans, and a perfect companion for anyone interested in the phenomenon of pop stardom.

About the Author

Elizabeth Thomson co-edited The Bowie Companion and The Lennon Companion. Thomson is also the editor of Conclusions on the Wall: New Essays on Bob Dylan. Thomson has also contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians(second edition). She lives in London. David Gutman co-edited The Bowie Companion and The Lennon Companion. Gutman is the author of an illustrated biography, Prokofiev, and is an editorial consultant for Gramophone Magazine. Gutman has also contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians(second edition). He lives in London. David Gutman co-edited The Bowie Companion and The Lennon Companion. Gutman is the author of an illustrated biography, Prokofiev, and is an editorial consultant for Gramophone Magazine. Gutman has also contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians(second edition). He lives in London.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0283062622
• ISBN 13: 9780283062629
• Binding: Paperback