Sunday, 8 January 2012

Divine Symmetry - Happy Birthday Bowie

It's become a cliche, because it's borne of truth - David Bowie bestrode the 1970s and was a musical roadmap, guiding the way for my generation as we came of age. He's done other great work of course, but it's the run of albums from 'Space Oddity' in late '69 through to 'Scary Monsters' in 1980 that cement his legacy.

In August 1997 I was crushed towards the front of the crowd at the Shepherds Bush Empire, for a show on the 'Earthling' tour. The album flirted with drum'n'bass, so I was anticipating something of a sonic assault. To my astonishment he walked from the wings with an acoustic guitar and opened the show with 'Quicksand' from my first Bowie LP, 'Hunky Dory'. Grown men wept.



That performance is available to view on YouTube thanks to an amateur camera operator doing a sterling job. This, however, is from a couple of months later, when the tour had moved on to the USA and is notable for some snazzy professional camera work which allows us a glimpse at Bowie's footwear of choice at the time - sandals with socks!

Happy Birthday David.



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