Bowie Comp PB - Paperback

by Elizabeth Thomson (Editor), David Gutman (Editor)

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 the words of Patti Smith, Anne Rice, Jon Savage, William Burroughs, Lester Bangs, Marc Bolan, Simon Frith, Pauline Kael, John Rockwell, and Ellen Willis, among others. Together with a lengthy introduction, a select discography, and an extensive bibliography, 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.

Back Jacket

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.

Author Biography

Elizabeth Thomson co-edited The Bowie Companion and The Lennon Companion. Thomson is also the editor of Conclusions on the Wall: New Essays on Bob Dylan. Thomson has also contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians(second edition). She lives in London. David Gutman co-edited The Bowie Companion and The Lennon Companion. Gutman is the author of an illustrated biography, Prokofiev, and is an editorial consultant for Gramophone Magazine. Gutman has also contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians(second edition). He lives in London. David Gutman co-edited The Bowie Companion and The Lennon Companion. Gutman is the author of an illustrated biography, Prokofiev, and is an editorial consultant for Gramophone Magazine. Gutman has also contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians(second edition). He lives in London.