The Bowie Companion: Three Decades of Commentary on David Bowie - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0333572262 ISBN 13: 9780333572269

Publisher: Macmillan, 1993

Synopsis

Hardback, with minor damage picture dustjacket, minor signs of use, pages are extremely clean & unmarked. Prompt UK dispatch, all proceeds to Wakefield Hospice.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Despite his vast influence and perennial popularity, David Bowie remains one of the most elusive figures in rock, and few books have taken a serious look at his remarkable career. The Bowie Companion provides an entertaining overview of nearly three decades of popular culture commentary, giving full weight to his stage, screen, and musical careers. From both American and English publications, the editors have come up with some astonishing selections, and have added to them a slew of new material. Included are: Leslie Thomas's hilarious local newspaper story on little Davy Jones (Bowie's original name) and his campaign to defend "those who wear their hair long"; Patti Smith's poem/review of Heroes; Gordon Burn's backstage look at The Elephant Man; Wilfrid Mellers's musical analysis of Hunky Dory; Anne Rice on Bowie's ambiguous gender; Jon Savage on Bowie's relationship to the mainstream; a strange conversation between Bowie and William Burroughs; three acerbic reviews by the immortal Lester Bangs; contributions from Marc Bolan, Simon Frith, Pauline Kael, John Rockwell, and Ellen Willis, among others; a lengthy introduction, a select discography, and an extensive bibliography. Taken together, they make up a book that is a must for Bowie fans, and a perfect companion for anyone interested in the phenomenon of pop stardom.

Synopsis:

This book provides an entertaining overview of commentary on the career of David Bowie. The collection approaches its subject from a wide variety of angles, giving full weight to Bowie's stage and screen as well as his music. Among the contributors, Gordon Burn offers a backstage look at "The Elephant Man", while Lindsay Kemp reminisces on his years as Bowie's friend and mime teacher while Wilfred Mellers weighs in with a musical analysis of "Hunky Dory". Anne Rice and Jon Savage examine the question of Bowie and gender, while Craig Copetas catches a curious conversation between Bowie and William Burroughs. There are acerbic words from the late rock critic Lester Bangs and Jean Rook, former First Lady of Fleet Street. Other contributors include the late Marc Bolan, Michael Bracewell, Simon Frith, Pauline Kael, John Rockwell, Leslie Thomas and Ellen Willis. An introduction puts the material in context, and a discography and bibiliography is also included.

About this edition

• Publisher: Macmillan
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0333572262
• ISBN 13: 9780333572269
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288
• Editor: Thomson Elizabeth, Gutman David