David Bowie was one of the most versatile and influential people in the music industry over four decades. He constantly reinvented himself, going through multiple styles and personas. Some of his most famous personas included Ziggy Stardust in the 1970s, which achieved great commercial success. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Bowie continued to experiment with different musical styles and sounds. He produced hit singles well into the 2000s before releasing his final album in 2003. Bowie was praised for his intellectual depth, distinctive voice, musical innovation, and ability to impact and change popular culture.

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One the most versatile people in the music industry, David Bowie… How did it all begin?
Jessica Kapadia
hen talking about rock musical chameleons, you‟ve got to In 1979, Bowie achieved his first American crossover success with the
place David Bowie at the top of the list. An English musician, actor, number one single “Famo”. It characterised him as having a plastic
record producer and arrange, David bowie, a major figure in the music soul. However, the sound was a dramatic shift and initially alienated
industry for four decades, has gone through so much change that many of his UK devotee‟s.
even his most precious and loved fans have a hard time keeping up However the relatively short-lived Ziggy persona proved merely one
with him. facet of a career marked by continual reinvention, musical innovation
His distinctive voice, intellectual depth and multiple styles and theories and striking visual presentation.
in the industry gained him the success that made him become a role In 1979, Bowie achieved his first American crossover success with the
model for future rock artists. number one single “Famo”. It characterised him as having a plastic
Bowie first caught the eye and ears of the public in 1969 when his hit soul. However, the sound was a dramatic shift and initially alienated
single „Space Oddity‟ reached the top five of the UK Singles chart. It many of his UK devotee‟s. Bowie later confounded the expectations of
was released when space shuttle first landed on the moon. Despite both his record labels and his American audience by recording the
the literal meaning of the song was about astronauts getting lost in album “Low” in 1977. Collaborations with Brain Eno over the next two
space, BBC played it in the coverage of the moon landing. After 3 years called the “Berlin technology” reached the UK top 5, and gained
years of experimenting and finding his voice, he re-emerged in 1972, lasting critical praise. However, after uneven commercial success in
during the „Glam rock‟ era, with flamboyant, alter ego „Ziggy Stardust‟, the late 1970‟s, Bowie had many UK number 1‟s with the singles
fronted by the hit single „Starman‟and the album “Ashes to ashes” and “Under pressure” where he
“His distinctive voice, intellectual depth and
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the collaborated with Queen in 1983. Soon after he
multiple styles”
Spiders from Mars. Bowie's impact at that time, reached his commercial peak with “Let‟s dance” this
as described by biographer David Buckley generated even more hit singles.
, "challenged the core belief of the rock music Throughout the years of 1990 to 2000, Bowie
of its day" and "created perhaps the biggest continued to experiment with different styles of music, which included
cult in popular culture”. Howeverthe relatively short-lived Ziggy Blue-eyed soul, jungle and adult contemporary. His last ever recorded
persona proved merely one facet of a career marked by continual album was “Reality” in 2003, which was followed and supported by the
reinvention, musical innovation and striking visual presentation. “reality” tour in 2003-2004. “His influence has been unique in popular
culture-he has permeated and altered more lives than any comparable
figure." This was said by Buckley to Bowie for his outstanding and
unique way of contributing to the world of music.