Short History Of... David Bowie
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Jan 12, 2026 Chris O'Leary, an author dedicated to David Bowie's legacy, dives into the transformative journey of this music icon. They discuss Bowie's shocking debut as Ziggy Stardust, his evolving personas, and the creative risks he took throughout his career. O'Leary unpacks how Bowie's fluid sexuality and bold image reshaped youth culture. The conversation also explores Bowie's struggles with fame, substance abuse, and the impactful Berlin Trilogy, culminating in his haunting final work, Blackstar, and his lasting influence on music and identity.
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LA Excesses And Controversy
- In the mid-1970s Bowie was immersed in US groupie culture and heavy cocaine use, leading to chaotic personal years.
- A disputed 2015 allegation claimed a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old when Bowie was 26, which he never publicly addressed.
Thin White Duke's Troubling Blur
- On the 1976 Station to Station tour Bowie performed as the Thin White Duke, a stark fascist-adjacent persona.
- His onstage image and offstage behaviour blurred, causing real alarm and controversy.
KGB Confiscates His Fascist Books
- In April 1976 Bowie and Iggy Pop were briefly detained by Soviet KGB who confiscated Bowie's fascist books.
- Reports of his reading and a Nazi salute photo triggered public outrage and later disavowals.
