David Bowie Was My First

On Of The True Greats
David Bowie

So saddened to hear the news that one of the biggest influences in my life on many levels, David Bowie has passed away due to cancer.

Dear David,

This is an open letter to you to list the numerous ways you have impacted my life throughout the years.

My first exposure to you musically was the Ziggy Stardust personae and album. I was mesmerized by it. Favorite song: Suffragette City. I heard the album years before I owned it via a friend of my parents teenage son, yeah I was a mere kid then.

The first album I owned by you? Let's Dance. Favorite song? China Girl. 

"Yes" David you were my first. My first major rock show ever! The Tubes opened for you at the Tacoma Dome in Washington State. I will never forget the amazing show you gave a combination of theatricality and brilliant music! Oh, you were also another first for me. My first Rock God crush, yeah I thought you were sexy a fuck!

I met you when I worked at Tower Records Sunset. You were to only star I ever met that I was actually nervous about saying "Hello" to. I remember grabbing a vinyl LP copy of the Tin Machine album for you to sign, when myself and the other employees brought our things to the register, you were so gracious and kind. You signed everyone's treasure with true class. When we expressed our awe of you with regard to the legend you were your response was: "Oh please, I'm no big deal."

I managed to see you in concert a total of four times, each one a religious experience. 

You can never completely know the total depth of the impact you had on my life as a young gay man. But I will leave you with this. You made it easier, seeing someone out there who dared to be different, an innovator and mostly dared to be himself.

R.I.P. Thin White Duke 

 

                                                               China Girl


David Bowie on the web:

http://www.davidbowie.com/

My Meeting With David Bowie

This week has been a big one for music legend David Bowie. He turned 66 years young and he has released his first song in a decade "Where Are We Now". With an album to follow in March.

Yes! Anything Mr. Bowie does is head and shoulders above what's out there now. It also reminded me of the time I met The Legend.

Now, I am seldom, if ever get "Star Struck" - in fact most people are a polite "Hello" nice to meet you situation.

But David Bowie, well now that was an entirely different thing. I was working my first job upon arriving in Los Angeles, CA at the once landmark, now gone Tower Records on the Sunset Strip.

Minding my own business and stocking the shelves of the tape department (cassettes not 8 tracks) - I walked by David two times, when I finally registered he was in the store. I dropped my tape box and ran into the backroom of the store so as not to embarrass myself and screamed like a teenage girl: "Oh My God, it's David Bowie, he's out there in the store"!

After regaining my composure I walked back out and got a Tin Machine album and ripped the plastic off so he could autograph it as did my fellow co-workers.

Bowie was gracious, down earth, not to mention humble. When someone I worked with said: "Mr. Bowie it is an honor you are such a legend" His response was "Oh please, I'm not that big of a deal".

This was also in the era before camera phones, otherwise I am sure the gracious Bowie would have done photos with all of us.

David Bowie is an amazing artist and man who deserves everything he has rightfully earned, not to mention being one of the coolest people on the planet. Also the only famous person I ever got gaga over meeting.

Happy 66th David - and cheers to your latest "Where Are We Now"....!

"

"When I looked in her eyes they were blue but nobody home" : www.davidbowie.com