The Life and Career of David Bowie

In this video, http://www.WatchMojo.com takes a look at the life and career of English singer, musician and actor, David Bowie.

Welcome to Watchmojo.com,

and today we are taking a look at
the life and career of David Bowie.

David Robert Jones was born on January 8th,
1947 in Brixton, London, England.

Though he showed musical
interest at a young age,

it was only in the early 60s
that he really pursued the art.

He started by joining several blues bands,

but branched off on his own
when they had little success.

Renaming himself David Bowie,
he released his self-titled debut in 1967.

Its lack of success led Bowie to participate
in a promotional film called

"Love You till Tuesday,"

which showcased several of his songs.

Of particular interest was "Space Oddity."

That track became a hit after it was released
at the same time as the first moon landing.

His sophomore effort of the same name,
however, was another commercial disappointment.

To promote his third album,
The Man Who Sold the World,

Bowie was put in a dress to capitalize
on his androgynous look.

In 1971, a pop-influenced record called
Hunky Dory came out

and was followed by the creation of his
flamboyant Ziggy Stardust persona

and stage show with backing band,
The Spiders from Mars.

Then came his breakthrough record,

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust
and the Spiders from Mars,

which climbed the charts thanks to his performance
of the single, "Starman" on "Top of the Pops."

1973's Aladdin Sane was
his first number one album,

mixing a hard rock sound with styles
such as avant-garde jazz.

The Spiders from Mars were disbanded
shortly thereafter.

After the covers album, Pin Ups, turned Bowie
into the UK's best-selling artist,

the funky concept record, Diamond Dogs,
featuring the hit, "Rebel Rebel," was released.

The elaborate stage shows for the tour that followed,

as well as the worsening state of Bowie's health
due to his cocaine addiction,

would later be seen in the documentary,
"Cracked Actor."

1975 saw the release of Young Americans,

an album that was less glam rock and more soul.

This album spawned his first U.S. hit,

a track that was written with John Lennon, "Fame."

His next album, Station to Station,
featured the song, "Golden Years,"

and introduced another alter ego,
the Thin White Duke.

This persona resembled his character
in the 1976 movie,

"The Man Who Fell to Earth."

Up next was a trio of albums recorded
with Brian Eno known as the Berlin Trilogy,

beginning with 1977's Low.

This ambient and abstract album produced
the UK hit, "Sound and Vision."

This was followed by a more pop rock
but still minimalist album called Heroes,

whose title track later became
a Bowie signature tune.

And in 1979, with his drug addiction
now behind him, Bowie released Lodger,

which contained new wave
and world music elements.

1980's Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
featured the hit, "Ashes to Ashes,"

which was accompanied
by an iconic music video.

Bowie's career leapt to new heights in 1983
with the success of the album, Let's Dance,

and the music videos for the singles,
"Modern Love"

and "China Girl."

High sales continued with
the dance-inspired Tonight,

an album that featured the Top 10 hit,
"Blue Jean."

In 1985, the music video for Bowie's duet
with Mick Jagger, "Dancing in the Street,"

was debuted at Live Aid.

Two years later, Bowie released the more
techno-based album, Never Let Me Down,

that featured the single, "Day-In, Day-Out."

Bowie took on a number of
acting roles during the '80s.

Examples include a Broadway production
of "The Elephant Man,"

and the films, "Absolute Beginners,"
"Labyrinth,"

and "The Last Temptation of Christ."

At the end of the 80s, Bowie fronted
a band called Tin Machine,

which recorded two studio albums.

But, they dissolved in 1992.

Bowie then returned to his solo career
with the jazzier album,

Black Tie White Noise, in 1993.

This was closely followed by the soundtrack
for a television series called

The Buddha of Suburbia.

In 1995, Bowie brought industrial elements
to the mix with the album Outside.

He gained more critical
and commercial success

with the techno-infused sounds
of 1997's Earthling.

1999 saw the release of an album
with more rock tracks entitled "Hours..."

This was followed by the critically
and commercially acclaimed Heathen in 2002

and another successful record
in 2003 called Reality.

Emergency heart surgery
in 2004 forced Bowie to slow down,

so in the latter half of the decade,

he recorded only a few songs
and played a couple of gigs.

Bowie continued to act
while he released albums.

Some of his most notable
film appearances include

"Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me,"

"Mr. Rice’s Secret," "Zoolander,"
and "The Prestige."

A true chameleon of the music world,

David Bowie has incorporated many
different styles to make his own.

With his distinctive voice
and extravagant stage shows,

he is surely an artist who will continue
to be influential throughout the ages.