David Bowie Research Paper

Alexis Ewing

Mr. Brown

British Literature

6 May 2016

The Evolution of David Bowie

The many talents of David Bowie helped his career thrive and truly make him an icon. From youth concerts to having tributes made after him. David Bowie has changed his style and music type for many years to keep his music new and exciting. He was a British star who became universal, his fame is known worldwide winning awards and never being forgotten by the public. Over the course of David Bowie’s life his image and fame changed dramatically.

From 1962-1967 David Bowie began his career and worked on a debut album. In the beginning of his career Bowie started by playing at local youth concerts. “David Bowie was only 16 when he stepped in

He used his acting, singing, and taste in style to create a brand new look for his onstage persona. Dying his hair red and wearing tight colorful clothes, Bowie wanted to create a character different from any other but appealing to any audience. Ziggy stardust was introduced on stage with Bowie’s background band The Spiders from Mars. “ July 5, 1972 was the day everything changed. The day David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey went on Top Of The Pops dressed like glamorous aliens to perform ‘Starman’. To introduce Great Britain to Ziggy Stardust And The Spider From Mars with three-and-a-half minutes of perfect pop.” (NME, Howard) The goal Bowie and his band had this idea overnight, they just thought of it and did it. The crowd loved it, the music being played had a pop rock feel which were two of the most popular types of music in this time. The music began to flow out of them, they started massively writing songs and then performing them. They had no boundaries, the fame took over them and they brought a wave of new audiences. Bowie’s performances became shocking, for example there was one show where bowie stripped down on stage. At this point in time he began touching base in some acting careers which led to the break up of Bowie's

David Bowie at this point in his life had a monumental moment, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 17, 1996. David Bowie suffered from a heart attack. His music career took an awful downturn and he was unable to perform on a stage live. Bowie was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on February 8, 2006.

In David Bowie's final days of his life he released his last and final album Lazarus on his 69th birthday, two days later David Bowie Died of Cancer. His songs charted all over the world.

His new album was the final goodbye given to all of his audience. He had millions and millions of people who loved him and his music. He had endless iconic performances. He thought about what his audience wanted while making it his own. Over the course of David Bowie's life he changed dramatically. He kept his dreams and made them a reality not many people can do that but he was one of the most successful performers in history and will forever be