David Bowie by 1979 was an established “product” of the best of what British culture had to offer. He was now finishing his legendary “Berlin trilogy”” with the last album album “Lodger”being ready for release. Soon he was to bridge commercial rock with great experimentation on “Scary monsters of super freaks”.
In 1979 Bowie, who had become an ever more rare presence in interviews, found a way to speak his mind through the media. And it was by playing some of his favorite records. For two hours, on BBC radio show “Star Special”, Bowie plays everything from the relatively obscure, to the bands he had been influenced by and championed (like the Velvet Underground and Roxy Music).
The show catches Bowie, relaxed, yet charismatic. His choice of records might have been off a different way of thinking then some of the other guests on the BBC show. It showcases an artist in love with music and with his ears always opened to hearing new music and sounds. This would not change, even perhaps increase, as Bowie advanced in his career.
All in all a very enjoyable listen, for which we have to thank the grace whomever posted this gem to the internet. A tracklist of the songs played is featured below:
Love Street – The Doors
TV Eye – Iggy Pop
Remember – John Lennon
96 Tears – ? & The Mysterians
The Nursery Suite (extract) – Elgar
Inchworm – Danny Kaye
Trial Prison – Philip Glass
Sweet Jane – The Velvet Underground
Helen Fordsdale – Mars
He’s My Star – Little Richard
21st Century Schizoid Man – King Crimson
Warning Sign – Talking Heads
Beck’s Bolero – Jeff Beck
Try Some, Buy Some – Ronnie Spector
20th Century Boy – Marc Bolan
Where Were You? – The Mekons
Big City Cat – Steve Forbert
We Love You – The Rolling Stones
2HB – Roxy Music
It’s Hard To Be A Saint In The City – Bruce Springsteen
Eduard Banulescu is a writer, blogger, and musician. As a content writer, Eduard has contributed to numerous websites and publications, including FootballCoin, Play2Earn, BeIN Crypto, Business2Community, NapoliSerieA, Extra Time Talk, Nitrogen Sports, Bavarian FootballWorks, etc.
He has written a book about Nirvana, hosts a music podcasts, and writes weekly content about some of the best, new and old, alternative musicians.
Eduard also runs and acts as editor-in-chief of the alternative rock music website www.alt77.com.
Mr. Banulescu is also a musician, having played and recorded in various bands and as a solo artist.