Month: September 2002

When I live my dream…

The job I have is one that often triggers the question: “Do you ever get blasé about your contact with David Bowie?” Well, needless to say I don’t. Though I guess I’ve sort of got used to regular e-mail exchanges with David, but, I’m never blasé…and it’s still always a tremendous thrill for me to actually meet him in the flesh.

Today was one of those magical days where I got to spend a bit of time with DB, and I’m pleasantly surprised to note that even at my age, I still walk away from the experience on an incredible high… still buzzing now. I’m also aware of the fact that reports such as this may come over as bragging, or a bit ner, ner, ner, ner, ner. That’s not the intention, and the only reason I’m comfortable about writing this is because of all of the congratulatory e-mails I received after my Roseland 2000 journal…so, here I go again.

Late this morning I got an e-mail from DB inviting me to rehearsals. After a couple of panicked phone calls to re-arrange my day, I grabbed my camera and sped across town to the top secret venue. When I arrived, a familiar voice called me in to a small canteen, where the owner of the voice, and his band and crew were finishing lunch. I sat down next to David and enjoyed an enthusiastic run through the rehearsal set list…

I was gobsmacked! ‘Alabama Song’, ‘Look Back In Anger’, ‘Moonage Daydream’, ‘Rebel Rebel’, ‘Survive’, and, wait for it… ‘The Bewlay Brothers’. Of course, I thought it was all a wind-up, and that David would produce the real set list later. We chatted on for a little while about recent films, about Peter Ackroyd’s Hawksmoor and London churches… and I couldn’t help thinking the whole time that I was looking at the most interesting and beautiful rock ‘n roll face of all time.

Another thing that strikes me about David is his infectious enthusiasm for everything… A space-age looking Samsonite suitcase, a digital barometer, the chicken pie on the menu…things you’d imagine wouldn’t catch the eye of such a well-travelled rock god. But, his acute observational skills are just one of the ingredients that keep his songwriting so fresh. Anyway, I’m waffling now… Onward to the rehearsal space.

After the band wait for me to put my ears in, and a quick introduction to the Jackalope, David says: “Let’s do ‘Bewlay Brothers’ for Blam!” It’s kind of hard to express how surreal a moment that was. David Bowie, my hero of thirty years, strumming a twelve string and singing that immortal line: “And so the story goes they wore the clothes…” Apart from the obvious things, like the birth of my children, that is one of the most memorable moments of my life. And it didn’t stop there.

Can’t remember the exact order, but I also got to hear ‘Alabama Song’, ‘Look Back In Anger’, a rather different version of ‘Rebel Rebel’, ‘Survive’, ‘Hallo Spaceboy’, ‘Fashion’ and more. This band is really cooking at the moment, and I’m further excited by the intro to ‘Suffragette City’… But David isn’t playing ball. It’s clear he’s not particularly keen on performing the song, despite taunts from the band.

And then Gail turns to me and suggests: “Why don’t you give it a go Blam?” Of course I decline, but then David says: “Yeah go on Blam, you know you want to.” So, I think “fuck it”, I’m never going to get this opportunity again. I used to do this song regularly with a band I was in, and I’d always loved it anyway… so things could have been worse.

First verse fine… and then it all becomes a bit murky! To cut a long story, I had a bit of a brain-freeze and forgot most of the words, and where the breaks were etc… Anyhow, I managed to stumble my way through to the end while David danced in the stalls like a demented fan, just before he invaded the stage and hugged me in the most bizarre role reversal I have ever experienced… absolutely surreal! The band generously applauded me and even kept a collective straight face while telling me I did a good job.

Gail later told me that she has been trying to get the song in to the set for the last eight years! Hopefully we won’t have to wait too much longer, but don’t hold your breath if you expect me to take David up on his offer of making it a regular guest spot for me! Despite my reticence, this is actually something I have always dreamed of… singing a Bowie song with his band. Thanx again to David and the band for helping me realise my dream.

David and the band ended the session by showing me how it’s really done with a breathtaking version of ‘Moonage Daydream’… Slicky is absolutely superb on this, playing in the usual Earl Slick style with affectionate nods to the original solo. The songs I heard today are not necessarily an indication of anything we can expect to hear in the short term, but it’s great to know they are there if needed!

On the drive back home, I sing ‘Suffragette City’ back over to myself again…word perfect!

We were so turned on…

David Bowie this afternoon performed an intimate ten-song set to an audience of celebrity guests and competition winners. The tiny gathering was left stunned by a performance from a very chatty Bowie, which included five newly-added songs for the forthcoming European leg of the ‘Searching for Jackalopes Tour”.

Although hinted at in my news piece yesterday, perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was the first ever public airing of the 1971 ‘Hunky Dory’ classic, ‘The Bewlay Brothers’, the performance of which left grown men sobbing…I kid you not!

Here’s the complete set list:

Sunday
Look Back In Anger
Cactus
Survive
5:15 The Angels Have Gone
Alabama Song
Everyone Says ‘Hi’
Rebel Rebel
The Bewlay Brothers
Heathen (The Rays)

Rather than subject you to my usual waffle, here are some links to an online review from the BBC and a couple of excellent pieces from our own message boards, written by Chiller and JimReeve.

As compere Jonathan Ross pointed out this afternoon, you can catch the concert on Radio 2 on Saturday 5 October at 8pm UK time.

Friends say it’s fine, Friends say it’s good…

As I’m sure most of you realise, twenty five years ago today was the day that Marc Bolan lost his life in a tragic car crash in South London. On the night of September 16th, 1977, shortly after 4am, the purple Mini that Marc and Gloria Jones were travelling in at the southern edge of Barnes Common, left the road as it crossed a hump backed bridge, crashing into a sycamore tree and killing Marc instantly. Gloria, the mother of Marc’s two-year-old son Rolan, survived.

In memory of Marc, Universal have today released a 24-track best of Marc Bolan and T. Rex entitled ‘The Essential Collection’. There is a limited edition version available that contains a DVD with six tracks from the popular television show Marc, but unfortunately nothing of David’s appearance on the show. (02/27/01 NEWS: BOWIE AND THE BOPPIN’ ELF ON TV TOMORROW)

‘The Essential Collection’ is a great starting point for those not too familiar with Marc’s work, but for those who want to delve a little deeper ‘Marc Bolan & T. Rex: 20th Century Superstar’, (also released through Universal Music) is a different beast altogether. This beautiful 4-disc set, released last week for some strange reason, (surely it would have made more sense to release it today?) was compiled by Mark Paytress and Martin Barden.

Mr. Paytress was also responsible for the excellent sleeve notes, and Martin supplied tons of interesting memorabilia scattered throughout the booklet, including a page from Marc’s diary in February 1977, that includes this line:

“While I dress I play Bowie’s new album, (Blammo note… must be Low) he’s such a scalewag (sic) – & also sly.”

Here’s an excerpt from the press release written by Mark Paytress:

“The eagerly-awaited 4-CD “Marc Bolan & T. Rex: 20th Century Superstar” box set that reveals the glorious truth behind Bolan’s long rise to fame via long lost, pre-psychedelic 45s, primitive garage rock with John’s Children and many newly discovered recordings from his time as underground cult hero with Tyrannosaurus Rex. All the hits and choice album tracks from his years as Glam Rock’s first ‘Superstar’ during 1970-1973 are here, too.

Every Marc Bolan A-side, many B-sides, tracks from every LP, demos, BBC and live recordings, little-known productions and pseudonymous 45s are all here – plus the priceless studio moment when Bolan and producer Tony Visconti discovered that ‘T. Rex sound’. A priceless historical document.”

An outtake from ‘The Slider’ cover session graces the front of ’20th Century Superstar’. A session originally credited to Richard ‘Ringo’ Starkey, but in fact the session was the work of Marc’s producer, one Tony Visconti, a small detail Tony himself is at pains to point out in his introduction to ’20th Century Superstar’. And who can blame him? Next to ‘Electric Warrior’, ‘The Slider’ is my favourite T.Rex sleeve, so it really is time Tony got the credit he deserves.

Among the gems on this 110 track collection is a song on which Marc guested as lead guitarist, ‘The Prettiest Star’ by David Bowie. I’m sure you’re all perfectly aware of this charming version recorded on David’s birthday back in 1970, though some of you are probably more familiar with the re-recording on ‘Aladdin Sane’…sexified by The Spiders. I think it’s fair to say though, that Ronno’s solo pretty well stayed true to the original.

Even 25 years later, Marc’s following shows no sign of waning, and the coverage here in the UK this week proves just how much he is still missed, but I’m sure nobody misses Marc like David, and without second-guessing what might have been, I can say that ’20th Century Superstar’ is a fine tribute to the legacy of Marc Bolan…

(Foot Note: Bolan’s death is surrounded by lots of very spooky coincidences, not least of all the first track on CD1 entitled: ‘The Road I’m On (Gloria)’ !!! – I’m a bit nervous to add the next chapter to this list of tenuous links, by mentioning that ‘Everyone Says ‘Hi”, a song that apparently concerns itself with the death of an unspecified person, is released today on the anniversary of Bolan’s death!)

Take a look at how lucky you are…

We now have our 25 winners for Wednesday’s David Bowie Radio 2 performance at Maida Vale. The winners were drawn randomly by BowieNetter Technicolour in the chat room this evening, where I managed to drag the torture out for a whole hour! Our sincere commiserations to those of you that were unlucky this time.

If you see your BowieNet e-mail address in the list below, you should respond to me at TotalBlamBlam@DavidBowie.com (or MrTotalBlamBlam@AOL.com if BowieNet is down) immediately, with your real name, and confirm that you will definitely attend on Wednesday. Please use a subject line of: Radio 2 Session Winner.

Here is the list of 25 lucky winners, who all get to see David Bowie in session on Wednesday:

6 = beepbeep@davidbowie.com
28 = steve_parker@davidbowie.com
44 = jenkins@davidbowie.com
53 = ruth@davidbowie.com
90 = thunderball@davidbowie.com
105 = julian77@davidbowie.com
113 = shjd@davidbowie.com
120 = jbw@davidbowie.com
124 = Noel4@davidbowie.com
129 = tony@davidbowie.com
145 = edwardchoules@davidbowie.com
152 = peterjw@davidbowie.com
176 = andreas@davidbowie.com
190 = COLINZ@davidbowie.com
200 = robdavies@davidbowie.com
203 = wordonawing@davidbowie.com
237 = Starlady@DavidBowie.com
251 = ronin_13@davidbowie.com
264 = chiller@davidbowie.com
265 = Jill@davidbowie.com
271 = aardvark@davidbowie.com
284 = lowlodgerheroes@davidbowie.com
292 = Philn@davidbowie.com
324 = louis@davidbowie.com
332 = jimbo@davidbowie.com

I will send out a confirmation e-mail to all 25 winners tomorrow morning, but rest assured, if you’ve been listed here as a winner, you will get in on Wednesday… presuming your BowieNet ID checks out to be legit of course. If for some reason you don’t get your confirmation, do be sure to turn up. Just have a form of ID with you, preferably some kind of photo ID, such as passport or travel pass etc.

You will need to arrive at Maida Vale at noon to collect your passes, I will tell you more about this in tomorrow’s e-mail. Meanwhile, Radio2 have now announced the results of their contest too, go here and scroll down to see their list of winners. The session will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Saturday 5th October at 8pm UK time.

Gather you all and listen here…

At least two radio stations here in the UK are to broadcast David Bowie interviews tomorrow, and both of them are aired in the afternoon giving you plenty of time to get back from the record shop… Possibly even giving you time to listen to the extra tracks from all three formats of ‘Everyone Says ‘Hi’?. (09/12/02 NEWS: ‘EVERYONE SAYS ‘HI” OUT MONDAY… WIN THE SET NOW!) Please see the note below regarding our current competitions.

Those hoary old pros, Mark and Lard, have taken time out of their busy schedule organising the prestigious Halon Menswear Ltd Music Prize, to conduct a live phone-in with our man on Radio1. Their hilarious, and at times controversial show, (the pair frequently enjoy broadcasting in the nude) commences at 1:00pm UK time, but DB is not scheduled to give them a tinkle until 2:00pm. If you can, listen in from the off though, you know how these things can change… (Hallo Capital Radio!)

Xfm have been running a trailer over the last few days advertising their pre-recorded Bowie interview with new girl, Zoë Ball. Of course, Zoë is no stranger to the world of broadcasting, nevertheless her experience of meeting celebs (she’s actually married to Fatboy Slim) didn’t stop her getting an attack of nerves before she met Mr B… I know how she feels. On the occasions I have had the pleasure, I’ve been nervous that he would pinch my arse or nick my wallet or something. Zoë’s show is on air from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

You can click on the above links to listen to live webcasts of both shows.

PLEASE NOTE: Forgot to mention when the ‘Everyone Says ‘Hi’? competition ends. Well, we’ll be announcing all ten winners live tomorrow, after we do a live draw for the 25 Radio2 tickets at 9:00pm UK time in the chat room. Don’t worry if you can’t make it along to the draw, if you win, you win, and you will be notified. You do not need to be present to win.

This method is simply a way of hopefully silencing the few people who have worried that there may be an element of fixing in some of our competitions… Funny how these accusations only ever come from losers…Yawn. };-)

I’ve been writing just for you

David’s latest signing session, which took place yesterday at Bengans Internetshop in Gothenburg, Sweden, once again drew several hundred people who queued for many hours to secure their place to meet him. As always, as you can see, he took time to make sure that each and every person took some happiness away with them. For a personal account, you can check out this post from ‘zig’ on the message boards.

Also on our boards, ‘thomcats’ posted a couple of links including yesterday evening’s Swedish TV broadcast from the event. Do check out this item which shows a smiling, happy David wearing yet another stripey ensemble. You will hear one of the fans asking ‘Can I have a hug?’.. awwr.. Click on the link for Vardagar, 21:40.

The Gothenburg Post have an item describing the event, and Expressen have an interview, part of which ‘thomcats’ has translated, here.

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Question time

The tf1 website has now been updated with video of David answering your questions, and a list of the questions you submitted. Once again, the interpreter does tend to drown out what David has to say, but you can still enjoy watching and listening. You can watch the video and see the list of questions, not all of which he had time to answer obviously, here.

Enjoy!

:))

I had to cram so many things to store everything in there…

BowieNet is very proud to announce a most fitting tribute to thirty glorious years of Ziggy Stardust in the shape of our very own Ziggy Stardust 30th Anniversary website. This new site is a quite wonderful place to explore, jam-packed with the sights and sounds of everything that was, and is, Ziggy Stardust.

Here you can listen to snippets of the songs that make up the 30-year-old masterpiece, whilst viewing images from the tours, looking at album cover outtakes, dressing Ziggy in any one of his magnificent costumes, reading reviews of the album, and much, much, more. You can even contribute your own thoughts on Ziggy and see them become twinkling stars for everyone else to share.

Here’s just one of many of David’s own thoughts on Ziggy, taken from the site:

“[Ziggy] …was definitely a reaction to late ’60s seriousness, and the real murky quality that rock was falling into. I think a bunch of us adopted the opposite stance. I remember at the time saying that rock must prostitute itself. And I’ll stand by that. If you’re going to work in a whorehouse, you’d better be the best whore in it.” (1991)

This beautifully designed site really is a treasure trove, and without giving away all of the contents, (it really is fun to explore for yourself) I can tell you that there are also some great downloadable backgrounds, and three very entertaining screensavers that make leaving your mouse alone a pleasure of anticipation!

This magnificent construction has been created by Mach18 for Ultrastar & Team Encounter, by a brilliant team of designers and programmers too numerous to mention here. (Check the credits page for a full breakdown)

I’ll leave you with a screen grab of a Ziggy I have created in the Curtain Call section, this is just one of hundreds of possible combinations, but was dressed particularly with Susans in mind… I think you’ll get the picture.

Go check out the site for yourself by clicking on the “ENTER SITE” screen grab above, but be warned, it’s highly addictive… I’ve been lost in there since Monday! };-)