David Bowie: A Fan's Perspective
The icon of an era, every girl's dream guy in the days of big hair and flashy new music videos, David Bowie is a worldwide legend unlike any other. He represented the height of abstract and outlandish fashion, and was a super sexy rock star even with his bad teeth and sunken cheeks. So what if he was chicken legged, as the gratuitous crotch shots in every movie he's starred in will attest, everyone loves David Bowie!
As an Actor
David Bowie is a man of many talents, there is no doubt about that. His filmography is lengthy, but notably filled with numerous documentaries. The projects he has worked on have been fantasy and fact, in liberal doses of both, but even in his cameo roles (such as his appearance in the 2001 movie Zoolander) he struts his stuff and leaves a lasting impression on the work.
However, having lived through the 80's, there is one movie that stands as a monolith of fantasy, drama and fairy tale. The name of the movie is Labyrinth, and if the three worn out VHS tapes I've owned have anything to say about it, this movie defined for a new generation the wonder that touches the souls of young and old, as shown through the performance of Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King.
As a Musician
More impressive than the movies David Bowie has starred in are his albums, beginning with his self-titled debut, David Bowie. Bowie, a baritone, wasn't known for his vocal quality, but rather was the influence of musical movements like glam rock, pop, soul, and anything that could be tweaked or experimented with - including his own image! Chart toppers from Bowie included:
- Space Oddity - "Ground Control to Major Tom..."
- Let's Dance! - "Put on your red shoes and dance the blues..."
- Little China Girl - "I feel a wreck without my, little china girl"
- Magic Dance - "Nobody knew what kind of magic spell to use!"
Artists like Nine Inch Nails, The Sex Pistols, Bauhaus, Joy Division, Madonna, Placebo and more can count David Bowie as a source of inspiration for their work - oddly enough, or maybe not odd for David Bowie, his work was inspired in later times by work performed by the same artists who found inspiration from him. The inventive, revolutionary styles of these artists twist and bend and break barriers all around one another, proving the truly complex influence that icons like Bowie have had on the industry.
Rolling stone's top fifty, UK's pop charts, BBC polls, they all speak with great compliments about David Bowie, but his works speak for themselves. Whether it was his role as Ziggy Stardust - the androgynous, heavily makeup covered glam rock role that got Bowie discovered and was the inspiration for a variety of acts afterward - or his role (and my personal favorite) as the Goblin King, which truly defined clever and deep villains in fantasy movies for it's time - there is something everyone can love about David Bowie. Yes, even you.
David Bowie's "Space Oddity"
Little China Girl
Comments
I saw Bowie at Milton Keynes on the Serious Moonlight Tour, which was a staggeringly good day.30 degrees, a fantastic set and zero transport or logistical issues.On the other hand, Glass Spider in Sunderland was a huge disapointment.
I guess he grew old gracefully but the live show didn't.
Excellent hub! I have been a big fan of Bowie's since Space Oddity first came out!
Always a fan of David Bowie he is an icon and unique.
Great hub Charlotte. Labyrinth has been a favorite movie around our house since forever. Lucky for me my grandaughters are starting to like it too, that means I have plenty more opportunities to watch it.
regards Zsuzsy
congrats Gamergirl! You are already number one in Google with this hub. I posted a screenshot for you on the forum. Well done :)
I have always loved David Bowie!! Ever since I was a kid, and saw him in Labyrinth!! Then, as I got older, I started listening to his music, and I am still a huge fan today!! Great hub!!
Great hub Charlotte, congratulations. I must admit I wasn`t a big fan of David Bowie when I was a kid but now I love to hear almost all his songs. I guess his music is something I learned to like...
Labyrinth is a favorite film of mine as well. Thumbs up!
I've never seen anything of David Bowie --until watching your videos of "Space Oddity" and "China Girl" -- except his appearance with that older fellow (I think his name is Der Bingle, or something like that.) I liked this hub very much.
Great article, Charlotte!
I saw Bowie in concert a couple of years ago - AMAZING! He still moves like he's 20 years old and still sounds great.
St. James mentioned "The Hunger" and I think Bowie was great in that movie, I love that flick. I consider him a good actor, actually. Not that I'm an authority.
Bowie is a talented, amazing performer. I still am fan of the movie "The Hunger" inwhich he starred in along with the beatuiful Catherine Deneuve.
David's ability to change his musical style, yet keep his body uniquely his is the hallmark of a true artist.
Space Oddity, a great song.
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