This morning we were met with the sad and unfortunate news of music legend David Bowie’s death. But it would be wrong to dwell on the sorrow and upset that his death has inevitably caused, today we remember the legacy of David Bowie and further reiterate just how influential he was to so many musical genres and artists.
Numerous UK artists in this day and age would not be who they are if it was not for David Bowie’s trend setting and revolutionising stage persona and musical ability. Looking across the pond to America we see a plethora of successful artists who owe a lot to Bowie for paving the way; artists like Lady Gaga or Madonna whose stage person was just as important as their music. However it is back here on home soil where Bowie truly made a difference. One only has to think of other musical legends like Freddie Mercury in particular and how the flamboyantly entertaining side of their performance helped shape and stun the musical world.
Freddie Mercury grew up with David Bowie being regarded as one of his favourite artists and inspirations, and it is certainly visible in his later performances with musical giants Queen. Even the king of flamboyance Bowie complimented Mercury’s theatrical ability:
“Of all the more theatrical rock performers, Freddie took it further than the rest… he took it over the edge. And of course, I always admired a man who wears tights. I only saw him in concert once and as they say, he was definitely a man who could hold an audience in the palm of his hand.”
And who of course can forgot their duet in the hit song ‘Under Pressure’
Unfortunately, both artists have now passed on; however Bowie’s continued influence is still felt throughout so many UK artists, for example Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow took to Twitter to voice his opinion on the influence of Bowie:
U might not have listened to David Bowie, but if you're a musician, what he did had an impact on what u do somewhere along the line
— JamesVincentMcMorrow (@jamesvmcmorrow) January 11, 2016
Whilst not a household name, McMorrow’s opinion certainly captures the significance of Bowie and his last legacy; even if you were not directly influenced by his songs and artistry, one of the singers or bands you looked up to will have been.
As aforementioned, Bowie’s influence on today’s popular music cannot be overstated. The amount of artists and musicians that owe their very being to Bowie is remarkable; for example in 2011, British rock band Arctic Monkeys stated in an interview with NME about how their popular album “Suck It And See” was largely influenced by the legend himself, David Bowie. Frontman Alex Turner said:
“I wanted a good song foundation on this one, so that meant listening to iconic artists such as David Bowie. And then as it went in and we put it through the mill of the band, other influences came into it, but I started with that to try and craft songs better.”
In fact, David Bowie has been a re-occurring influence for the 2002 formed band when it comes to other albums and their sound. Guitarist Jamie Cook stated to RVA magazine in an interview that their latest album “AM” was heavily influenced by the sound of David Bowie. He mentioned how listening to a lot of Bowies 1972 album ‘The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars’ whilst recording the album in 2013 inspired him and the band to perfect the album.
“I really love it, but when you really examine it, it’s pretty flawless in my opinion. Maybe that did influence me a bit with how we poured ourselves into this record, perfecting each detail.”
A perhaps even stranger influence was spread by Bowie to well known English comedian Ricky Gervais. People forget, but Ricky Gervais’ first foray into show-business was in the 80s New-Wave band Seona Dancing. Although the band was never a big success (unless you’re in the Philippines) it was David Bowie that Gervais credits as his main influence. In a piece Gervais wrote for shortlist he claims:
“I had no role model I could identify with. And then I discovered David Bowie. I wore him like a badge of honour.”
Morrissey is another name that comes to mind who idealised Bowie, both his music and his style, with the moody manc having this to say on the man:
“Manchester then was full of bootboys and skinheads and macho-macho thugs. I saw Bowie’s appearance as the ultimate bravery.
“He was so important to me because his vocal melodies were so strong and his appearance was so confrontational.”
However it is, of course not just modern music that has taken inspiration from Bowie, in fact Bowie was a major influence on Joy Division’s Ian Curtis. The band’s name was originally slated to be Warsaw, which was a nod to the track ‘Warszawa’ from Bowie’s 1977 album Low. In a 2002 interview Bowie said:
“My entire career, I’ve only really worked with the same subject matter. […] the actual words and subjects I’ve always chosen to write with are things to do with isolation, abandonment, fear and anxiety, all of the high points of one’s life.”
It is in Joy Division’s lyrics we can see the intrinsic influence Bowie had on Ian Curtis as an artist, expressing the very same themes that Bowie had been singing about his whole career.
David Bowie’s widespread influence doesn’t stop there however. Equally theatrical and flamboyant Boy George also took to Twitter to issue his feelings to the public, saying that:
“I love you David. You changed my life. I cannot believe it. Thank you for everything!”
The influence of Bowie in Boy George’s persona is easy to see. Bowie paved the way for men in British music to wear make up and be content in their own bodies and sexuality this legacy is arguably just as important as his musical one.
David Bowie’s stage persona and personality was so revolutionary that it is easy to forget just how significant his musical talent was as well. So many genres owe so much to Bowie’s music. For example, a band that you might not always relate to being influenced by Bowie is U2. Back in 2010 Bono spoke to David Bowie’s official site where he had plenty to say on Bowie’s music:
“What I’ve chosen from David Bowie is very strict. It’s my teenage life as a Bowie fan. I am still a Bowie fan. But this was when my heart and mind were very vulnerable to music. And these songs had a real impact. U2 owe him a lot. He introduced us to Berlin and Hansa Studios, to collaborating with Brian Eno. It’s the high singing, beyond your ‘man’ voice into the feminine. And there’s the staging, the attempt to be innovative.”
Adding that:
“It’s not exaggerating to say, what Elvis meant to America, David Bowie meant to the U.K. and Ireland. It was that radical a shift in consciousness.”
But of course as mentioned, Bowie’s interactions with Queen were legendary and the friendship that blossomed between the band and himself were everlasting. Lead guitarist Brian May took to twitter to declare his sorrow:
All hail, David Bowie, Star Man, Hero. RIP. More words on my Soapbox. But this will take a while to compute. Very sad. Bri
— Dr. Brian May (@DrBrianMay) January 11, 2016
The likes of David Bowie will not be seen again, this can be said with certainty. From the day Bowie emerged onto the music scene, the industry changed permanently and for the better. Whatever did we do to deserve Bowie? Rest easy Ziggy.
Contributing reporting by Peyam Zangana and Ashton Rowntree
