Linda Stanton
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A memory shared of a Starman

16/1/2016

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The big news so far this year and if not the most shocking was the passing away of David Bowie. Most of us thought he was going to out live us all. Some of you who have been with me from the start of my blogging days will know I'm a fan of David Bowie. No doubt there are many blogs out there at present featuring David Bowie. I hope this one is different, it will be short. All sections to my blog will be back with you next week. Heck I'll be stretching it a bit far if I can search my memory box / Google for a Bowie related flower and beer! Unless of course you do know something related, add it to the comments section please for everyone to read.

ART
David Bowie was a dedicated follower of fashion, and it was probably no surprise when he teamed up with an up and coming young British designer Alexander McQueen back in 1996 to design an item of clothing for his Earthling tour. After a brief conversation with Bowie, McQueen set to designing the most iconic frock coat to grace a stage. McQueen along with his assistant
Ruti Danan impressed Bowie and wowed audiences all over the globe. I remember seeing the coat on the front of a magazine and thought it was fantastic and I instantly wanted this fashion item (at the time I wasn't into fashion). It was edgy, punky, fresh and looked amazing on Bowie – I doubt it would have looked good on me although I do a dishevelled look well at times. The coat appeared on the front cover of the Earthling album.

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All three items were designed by McQueen and we used for on stage performances
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Alexander McQueen left school aged 16 in 1985 with only one 0-level in art and went on to serve an apprenticeship on Saville Row with Anderson and Sheppard (est 1906) one of the most established high end tailors (or suitiers as I wrote trying to think of the word) between 1996 and 2001 he worked as a chief designer for Givenchy succeeding John Galliano!! He was awarded British Designer of the year four times and was the youngest recipient of this award, International Designer of the Year in 2003 and was awarded a CBE. McQueen also designed an outfits for Bjork's album cover.  Alexander McQueen died in February 2010 but his fashion company still lives on.

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Here's a link to a Vanity Fair article who recap the McQueen and Bowie conversation.




Back last year I featured Bowie's art ("A small plot of land") and Rex Ray's art ("Narcissus you plonker") on the blog. If you would like to look at these please click the name to see the relevant blog.


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MUSINGS - Bowie was my Dad and gave me blisters the size of golf balls!
DAD?
When I was a smaller Halfpint my dad left when I was three.  My mum re-married some years later.  I must have been at an impressionable age when I saw David Bowie for the first time on TV.  When I saw him he was probably about to launch his Low album but the TV was playing David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust (which can explain a lot about me I was born in June 1973) and this image stuck with me.  At this time I was suffering bad with my asthma and looked just as pale and skinny as him.  Because he was thin, pale, had two over lapping teeth (I now only have one overlapping) in the same place, the presence of being different, the fact he was artistic and clearly loved music I deduced from these stupid facts that he must be my dad, busy making music!

Clearly at some point through the following couple of years I found a photo of me and my dad when I was very little at the back of a cupboard. Fair to say my Dad looked nothing like Bowie! Funny thing is I didn't tell my mum till I was in my early twenties. Too which I got a 'You must be joking” response – see was a Queen fan. Recently I found more stupid laughable "evidence", continue reading....
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The Blisters!

Bowie came to Sheffield in December 1995 with his Outside tour, which I was so pleased with cause I really liked the new Bowie incarnation. Apparently his last appearance in Sheffield was June 1973 previous appearance was Sept 1972 (any wonder I thought he was my dad! lol) . I managed to get a front row ticket for the second night on the two night stay in Sheffield. I was over the moon and I was going to see Morrissey as he was the warm act. Then Morrissey pulled out and it was then announced he was only playing one night and it wasn't the night I had tickets for! I was there like a shot the following morning transferring my ticket to find all the front row seats had gone and I was at the back in the corner. Gutted to say the least – but elated that I still was going to see him.


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The night of the concert came around, with the Bus my mode of transport. The bus into Sheffield was quite reliable, but, me being me I wanted to get there early and stand in a queue outside hoping to hear the sound check and a glimpse of the man himself. The bus didn't turn up, and neither did the next one. Thinking there must be something wrong, and that the third bus was now not due for an hour (time table change) I decided to start running (nope calling a taxi did not enter my mind!!). 6 miles I had to run in brand new boots. This was the year I broke a Commonwealth Record in the Pole Vault so I notched it up to fitness training ;-). I got to the stadium 10minutes before doors open, just enough time to catch my breath and realise the backs of my heels were killing me. And that's where the bad idea got worse! I took my new boots off to inspect my heels. OMG both my heels had blisters the size of golf balls! That is not an exaggeration, believe me, and one of the blisters had already popped! Lets just say putting my socks and boots back on stung like heck, I hobbled into the arena and eagerly awaited the main man. Who was just as amazing live as he was on his records. If anyone knows who played before Bowie that night please let me know as I thought they were good too. However it is said Placebo and Echobelly played, but I'm not so sure.

Tunes of the week
Of course I had to do Bowie, but, what to pick? Lets go for the collaborations...

Placebo - Without You I'm Nothing (Ft. David Bowie) Placebo Fantasic live - that's another story
David Bowie (feat Nine Inch Nails) - I'm Afraid Of Americans


But don't forget the Queen, Jagger, Lennon and Lennox collaborations. There's plenty more out there. But I shall leave you with these two delights. Have a good weekend everyone


Mott the Hoople - All The Young Dudes [ HQ remaster audio ] David Bowie - The Laughing Gnome - well it makes me laugh!


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