• There's another new DAVID BOWIE book just published by Vibrations in French. More details can be found on the Vibrations website - [Thanks to Michael for the pointer]...

• It looks like DAVID BOWIE has given permission for some of his songs to be used on the Fox US TV show GLEE. "Heroes" by David and Brian Eno will be one of the songs featured in an upcoming episode called 'Dynamic Duets' on 22nd November. Glee creator Ryan Murphy has made it no secret that he has been after db's permission to use his songs in Glee since the very start and it looks like he's finally made some headway - [from Ian]...

• Check out a nice piece of DAVID BOWIE artwork created by Mark Catley. Mark from New Zealand made a large Pantone Swatch Pop Print for his bedroom wall. The image is of David's 'Low' 1977 album cover and each Pantone square is 45mm by 45mm and the total area is nearly 2 metres by 2 metres! - [View here]...

• DAVID BOWIE was mentioned the other night on the BBC TWO film about the life of Scottish painter JOHN BELLANY. During 'Belaney - Fire In The Blood' David was shown meeting him and a portrait of him painted in 1987 was also displayed. Unfortunately the film has only been shown on BBC Two Scotland so far. The Bowie portrait is also displayed on Bellany's own website - [from Steven]...

• You may recall a while back BOOKS FOR AMNESTY had several DAVID BOWIE original photographs for sale at auction. Well there is one remaining... David live 1997 wearing Union Flag frockcoat... yours for only £50 (+ shipping). A colour half-length portrait photograph, showing the artist performing on stage at the Phoenix Festival, 18th July 1996, by Mick Hutson, mounted but unframed, overall 72cm x 61cm (image 49cm x 39cm; date of print unknown). See original news story - [contact Colin Richardson Books for Amnesty Bristol on 0117 942 2969]...

Released by EMI tomorrow (19th) is another DAVID BOWIE 40th anniversary picture disc single limited edition release.

This third 40th celebration picture disc release is 'The Jean Genie' in a 7 inch single picture disc format (Cat No. DBJEAN 40).

As you can see the picture disc features a Mick Rock shot featuring David and Cyrinda Foxe in a bar in San Francisco.

David Bowie's third British hit single of 1972, and the biggest one yet. Released just in time for Christmas, 'The Jean Genie' soared to number two in the British single charts.

The B-side is the live 'Top Of The Pops' audio - significantly different to the original single.

       Tracklisting:
       Side A: The Jean Genie (2012 - Remaster).
       Side B: The Jean Genie (Top Of The Pops Version).

There are several record shops already selling pre-orders. Most are limited to ONE copy per customer. Pre-order now and expect to pay £7.99.

There are plenty of listings over on eBay or if you prefer to use Amazon you can pre-order NOW and you will pay the lowest price listed at the time.

Now underway in London is the The Man Who Fell To Earth: DAVID BOWIE - Golden Years 1969-81 exhibition.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is the display - for the first time in 30 years - of the original Heddon Street K. West sign that appeared on the front cover of David's 1972 classic album 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars'.

       Venue: The Movie Poster Art Gallery, 1 Colville Place, London W1T 2BG.
       Dates: Saturday 17th November until Saturday 1st December.

Admission is completely FREE and includes a rare opportunity to purchase classic vintage posters and more.

Pop on over to rock-explosion.com to view the exhibits.

Watch the Sky News report here

Three D Head paintings by DAVID BOWIE were sold this month at a painting sale in Cornwall, England.

The artworks came from the estate of well-known St. Ives Art Dealer Henry C. Gilbert, known to everyone as 'Gillie' Gilbert.

The three lots realised a total of £6,500 GBP at The Penzance Auction House, Alverton, Penzance, Cornwall on Thursday 1st November 2012.

     

The auction catalogue described the lots as follows:

       Lot 680: DAVID BOWIE
       D HEAD XIII
       Acrylic and computer collage on canvas. 24 x 19cm.
       Signed and dated '95 to the back. Felt tip inscription and printed label to the back.
       Sold for £1,700 GBP.

       Lot 681: DAVID BOWIE
       D HEAD XXVII
       Acrylic and computer collage on canvas. 24 x 19cm.
       Signed and dated '95 to the back. Felt tip inscription and printed label to the back.
       Sold for £2,300 GBP.

       Lot 682: DAVID BOWIE
       D HEAD XLIII
       Acrylic and computer collage on canvas. 24 x 19cm.
       Signed and dated '97 to the back. Printed gallery label to the back.
       Sold for £2,500 GBP.

Auctioneer David Lay said there had been some "pretty determined bidding" at the auction last week, with several buyers competing for the chance to own the three paintings, which eventually went to a buyer in London.

From davidlay.co.uk Auctioneer.

Soulwax have now released their excellent full one hour long film homage to DAVID BOWIE.

'Radio Soulwax Presents Dave', as part of their Radio Soulwax app project.

Dutch DAVID BOWIE tribute band ECHO BOWIE have two club gigs lined up for November and December.

December 14th: Speakers, Burgwal 45-49, Delft, Holland - [More details]
November 16th: P3, Purmerend, Holland - [More details]

Echo Bowie will perform hits, fan favourites and album tracks by rock's most influential innovator: the legendary David Bowie. From 'Space Oddity' to "Heroes" and from 'Let's Dance' to 'New Killer Star'.

The gigs will in part be a reprise of the succesfull 'Speed Of Life - Bowie 65' show which the band performed on January 7th, 2012 in P60, Amstelveen. With as always some new songs and surprises added to the setlist and show.

More information is available at facebook.com/echobowie

BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC (707) are rebroadcasting their six-part DAVID BOWIE Story this month starting next week on Sunday 18th through to 23rd. Each one-hour programme starts at 4:00am GMT.

The David Bowie Story was first broadcast back in 1993. Check out the full schedule and details below...

18th November @ 4:00 GMT
       The David Bowie Story: The Apprenticeship
       Episode 1 of 6
Paul Gambaccini presents part one of an in-depth look at the life and work of David Bowie. This opening episode looks at his beginnings in the music industry.

19th November @ 4:00 GMT
       The David Bowie Story: One Man Against The World
       Episode 2 of 6
Paul Gambaccini continues his in-depth look at the life and work of David Bowie, one of Britain's most influential stars.

20th November @ 4:00 GMT
       The David Bowie Story: Fame
       Episode 3 of 6
Paul Gambaccini focuses on the Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs and Young Americans period.

21st November @ 4:00 GMT
       The David Bowie Story: Don't Normalise It
       Episode 4 of 6
Paul Gambaccini continues his in-depth look at the life and work of David Bowie, one of Britain's most influential stars.

22nd November @ 4:00 GMT
       The David Bowie Story: Out of Characters, Into Suits
       Episode 5 of 6
Paul Gambaccini explores the 'Scary Monsters' and 'Let's Dance' period.

23rd November @ 4:00 GMT
       The David Bowie Story: Falling Down, Standing Up
       Episode 6 of 6
Covering the period from Never Let Me Down to 1993. Presented by Paul Gambaccini.

You can tune-in on 707 or online over at bbc.co.uk or listen in later via the iPlayer.

Congratulations and very best wishes to DUNCAN JONES and RODENE RONQUILLO who tied the knot last night.

Duncan who announced their engagement in August tweeted a few hours ago...

Our mate "the motorcycle minister" turned up last night and married @rodeneronquillo & I! I'm MR @rodene ronquillo!!!

Later this month EMI are set to release another DAVID BOWIE 40th anniversary picture disc single limited edition release.

This third 40th celebration picture disc release is 'The Jean Genie' in a 7 inch single picture disc format (Cat No. DBJEAN 40) and is scheduled to hit the shops on Monday 19th November.

As you can see the picture disc features a Mick Rock shot featuring David and Cyrinda Foxe in a bar in San Francisco.

David Bowie's third British hit single of 1972, and the biggest one yet. Released just in time for Christmas, 'The Jean Genie' soared to number two in the British single charts.

The B-side is the live 'Top Of The Pops' audio - significantly different to the original single.

       Tracklisting:
       Side A: The Jean Genie (2012 - Remaster).
       Side B: The Jean Genie (Top Of The Pops Version).

There are several record shops already selling pre-orders. Most are limited to ONE copy per customer. Pre-order now and expect to pay £7.99.

There are plenty of listings over on eBay or if you prefer to use Amazon you can pre-order NOW and you will pay the lowest price listed at the time.

CITY LIT London's largest adult education institute based in Covent Garden, are running a new course dedicated to DAVID BOWIE this month.

The course entitled 'Starman: How David Bowie lit up the 70s' takes place on Sunday 18th November and Sunday 25th November from 10:30-12:30 and will be taught by acclaimed music journalist Toby Manning.

Topics covered include the philosophy and style of Glam rock, Bowie and sexuality, Bowie and Sci-Fi, and Bowie, Nietzsche, the Kabala and Nazism. The course covers Bowie's entire career and musical and cultural legacy.

Come learn something new about one of music's great innovators, share your views on Bowie's life and work plus enjoy a host of Bowie video and music clips.

What is the course about?
Find out how David Bowie's songs, persona and style broke with 60s values and aesthetics and largely "invented" the 70s. The first postmodern pop star, Bowie once described himself as a Xerox: this course will reveal the writers, stylists, musicians and philosophers Bowie drew upon, as well as an entire generation who were left "Bowie damaged".

What topics will we cover?
01. Bowie's family background and education.
02. 60s career: beat groups, vaudeville, psychedelia and Space Oddity.
03. Bowie and Sci Fi (HP Lovecraft; Arthur C Clarke).
04. Glam rock: philosophy, style and content (from Hunky Dory to Diamond Dogs).
05. Bowie and sexuality.
06. Bowie, Nietzsche, the Kabala and Nazism.
07. "Plastic Soul": Bowie and black music (Young Americans; Station To Station).
08. The Berlin Period: Low, "Heroes", Lodger, Scary Monsters, Krautrock and Iggy Pop.
09. The 80s pop years.
10. Bowie's 90s and 00s Revival.
11. Bowie's music: a musicological analysis.
12. Bowie's influence: punk, new wave, 80s pop, 90s indie rock and 00s dance music.

By the end of this course you should be able to:- Hold your own in any discussion about David Bowie.
- Have a greater understanding of his place in pop culture.
- Discover some of his inspirations.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is aimed at music lovers generally. The only skill you'll need is an appreciation of the music of David Bowie.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will involve lecture presentations by the teacher, group discussion, plenty of video clips and music clips of both Bowie and others, plus some brief practical illustrations of music theory. There will be no work outside the class.

For more information on the course including pricing, please visit citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7831 7831 to book your place.

From Mario Vella @ citylit.ac.uk

Artist GEORGE UNDERWOOD is one of the artists exhibiting in The Art for Art's Sake Show which takes place at The Gallery in Cork Street, London W1S 3NG from 3rd-8th December at 10am-6pm.

The ten exhibitors have been cherry picked to offer an eclectic and unusual blend of paintings, drawings and sculpture, photography, jewellery, ceramics and ceramic sculpture. All bar the two founders of The Art for Art's Sake Show, are the artists themselves thus giving the public a rare opportunity to buy direct from the artist, and eliminating extra costs. All are established, many have had one man shows in Britain, Europe and the States and several are award winners.

The common denominator for all pieces in the show is quality. Everything is beautifully and expertly created and exhibited so that the final result is a stimulating, often unexpected display of affordable contemporary art embracing a wide spectrum of pockets, with prices ranging from £250 to £16,000.

George started his working life as a musician and singer, but has been a professional artist since the 1970s. His artwork for the first T. Rex album and later David Bowie's Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust album covers, established him as a major creative illustrator. Bruegel, Bosch and more recently the Viennese School of Fantastic Realism have clearly influenced his work which today has a captivating, dream like quality. Imagination is the key word in Underwood's paintings; he rarely uses live models, preferring to invent people who inhabit their own personal world.

Two of George's DAVID BOWIE pieces included in the exhibition are a Hunky Dory oil painting on card that has never been shown before and artwork created in 1975 before the 'Low' album was released. This was used for the paperback cover of The Man Who Fell To Earth. (David himself owns the original 20x30 ins oils on canvas).

Update: George informs me that the artwork available for purchase at the show will be:

       Original Oil Painting 32 x 38ins Hunky Dory (1975) Framed (never shown before) - £16,000.
       Original painting (acrylics) of Mick Ronson, framed - £7,500.

There will also be limited edition giclee prints available for purchase of:

       The Man Who Fell To Earth - £650.
       Stardust Memories - £350.
       Depth of the Circle - £500. All unframed.

More details and information can be found at theartforartssakeshow.com and georgeunderwood.com websites.

The V&A are publishing a DAVID BOWIE companion book to coincide with their upcoming exhibition next year.

'David Bowie Is' by Victoria Broakes and Geoffrey Marsh will be available in both deluxe hardcover and paperback versions on 4th March 2013.

Synopsis: David Bowie is a pioneering artist and performer whose career has spanned nearly 50 years and brought him international acclaim. He has sold over 140 million albums, and been cited as a major influence on contemporary artists and designers working across the creative arts. This is the first book produced with access to the David Bowie archive of performance costume, ephemera and original artwork by the artist, which is brought together to present a completely new perspective on his creative work and collaborations.

The book traces his career from its beginnings in London, through the breakthroughs of Space Oddity and Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and on to his impact on the larger international tradition of twentieth-century avant-garde art. Essays by V&A curators on Bowie's London, image, and influence on the fashion world, are complemented by Christopher Frayling, Mark Kermode and Philip Hoare on film; Howard Goodall on musicology; Camille Paglia on gender and decadence; and Jon Savage on Bowie's relationship with William Burroughs and his fans.

You can now pre-order both the Deluxe Hardback and the paperback versions and receive 10% and 15% discounts respectively.

The V&A have announced full details of the forthcoming DAVID BOWIE exhibition to be held in London next year...

David Bowie is: About the Exhibition.

The V&A has been given unprecedented access to the David Bowie Archive to curate the first international retrospective of the extraordinary career of David Bowie - one of the most pioneering and influential performers of modern times. David Bowie is will explore the creative processes of Bowie as a musical innovator and cultural icon, tracing his shifting style and sustained reinvention across five decades.

The V&A's Theatre and Performance curators, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh have selected more than 300 objects that will be brought together for the very first time. They include handwritten lyrics, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, Bowie's own instruments and album artwork.

The exhibition will explore the broad range of Bowie's collaborations with artists and designers in the fields of fashion, sound, graphics, theatre, art and film. On display will be more than 300 objects including Ziggy Stardust bodysuits (1972) designed by Freddie Burretti, photography by Brian Duffy; album sleeve artwork by Guy Peellaert and Edward Bell; visual excerpts from films and live performances including The Man Who Fell to Earth, music videos such as Boys Keep Swinging and set designs created for the Diamond Dogs tour (1974). Alongside these will be more personal items such as never-before-seen storyboards, handwritten set lists and lyrics as well as some of Bowie's own sketches, musical scores and diary entries, revealing the evolution of his creative ideas.

       What: David Bowie is.
       When: Saturday 23rd March 2013 - Saturday 28th July 2013.
       Where: Victoria & Albert, Exhibition Space Two, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL.

In partnership with Gucci. Sound Experience by Sennheiser.

David Bowie is: Visitor and Ticket Information.

BOOKING INFORMATION:

Timed tickets are in operation. Advance booking is strongly recommended.

Free to V&A Members.

Book online
Prices:
£15.50 Full (including donation*).
£12.50 Senior citizens (including donation*).
£14.00 Full.
£11.00 Senior citizens.
£9.00 Full-time students, 12-17 year olds, ES40 holders, disabled people.
£23.00/£37.00 Family tickets (1 adult & 2 12-17 year olds / 2 adults & 2 12-17 year olds).
Plus £1 handling charge per transaction.

*If you donate a minimum of 10% on top of your ticket price and are a UK tax payer, the Gift Aid scheme means we can claim back the tax you have already paid on the earnings used to buy the ticket. This means we can claim an additional 25p for every £1 you give us - vital support for our work.

Book in person at the V&A: Prices as above. No handling charge or booking fee.

Book by phone: +44 (0)20 7907 7073 (more than 48 hours prior to visit only).

Prices:
£17.30 Full (including donation*).
£14.10 Senior citizens (including donation*).
£10.60 Full-time students, 12-17 year olds, ES40 holders, disabled people.
£26.20 Family of 3 (one adult & two 12-17-year-olds).
£40.70 Family of 4 (two adults & two 12-17-year-olds).
Includes booking fee per ticket.

Free tickets and member rates: Free to under-12s, carers accompanying disabled people, V&A Members and Patrons, ICOM / Museum Association card holders, Blue Badge Guides, American and International Friends of the V&A. Half-price tickets for Art Fund and D&AD members.

Groups (10+ visitors): 10% discount. Call +44 (0)20 7942 2211 to book. Special talks and tours are available to complement the exhibition. Call +44(0)20 7942 2211 or email

Educational Groups (10+ visitors): Admission is £2 per person for school, college and university groups booking at least 10 days in advance. Call +44 (0)20 7942 2211 to book (all pre-bookings are timed entry).

Community Groups (10+ visitors): Admission is free to community groups booking at least 10 days in advance. Call +44 (0)20 7942 2211 to book (all pre-bookings are timed entry).

Visitor Information. Exhibition opening times:
23rd March - 28th July 2013.
Daily 10.00-17.30 (last ticket sold 16.45, last entry 17.00).
Friday 10.00-21.30 (last ticket sold 20.45, last entry 21.00).
Exhibition closes 15 minutes prior to the Museum closing.

Late night opening: The V&A is open late every Friday - why not take this opportunity to visit David Bowie is, meet friends and have a drink in our cafe-bar.

London Underground: The Museum is a 5-minute walk from South Kensington London Underground station (Piccadilly, Circle and District Lines) and a 10-minute walk from Knightsbridge London Underground station (Piccadilly Line).

Buses: The C1, 14, 74 and 414 stop outside the Cromwell Road entrance. The Open Tour stop outside the Museum as part of their Double Decker Bus sightseeing tour of London.

Access: There is full access to the galleries. We have a wide range of services for disabled visitors. Call +44 (0)20 7942 2766 or textphone +44 (0)20 7942 2002 for details. For more information on access, see V&A Disability Information

Photography: We are not able to allow photography in the temporary exhibitions due to copyright restrictions.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW. For more details and information visit the vam.ac.uk website.

A new book has just been published BOWIE: ALBUM BY ALBUM (ISBN-10: 1780972172) by author Paolo Hewitt.

The 288-page hardcover book is published by Carlton Books in the UK and Commonwealth, France (Les Editions Fetjaine), Sweden (Forma Publishing) and Germany (Edel Germany GmbH) last week on 11th October.

With an introduction by Robert Elms and featuring 200 illustrations in colour and black and white, Bowie: Album By Album is impeccably designed and illustrated, featuring a retrospective and chronology of each of the 27 studio albums, with many previously unpublished photographs.

Bowie: Album By Album is published to acknowledge the 40th anniversary of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars and Bowie's first number-one album Aladdin Sane.

You can purchase Bowie: Album By Album NOW and receive a 15% discount.

Note: This title was previously known as 'David Bowie: The Studio Years'.

DAVID BOWIE WONDERWORLD REMINDERS Limited Edition THE JEAN GENIE 40th Anniversary Seven Inch Picture Disc Vinyl (DBJEAN 40A) by EMI set for release 19th November - pre-order NOW and receive at lowest price available when ordered. New book DAVID BOWIE IS by Victoria Broakes and Geoffrey Marsh from V&A Publishing scheduled for publication on 4th March 2013 - you can now pre-order both the Deluxe Hardback and the paperback versions and receive 10% and 15% discounts respectively. Hardback book BOWIE: ALBUM BY ALBUM by Paolo Hewitt published by Carlton Books on 11th October - purchase NOW and receive a 15% discount. 400-page paperback version of THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD: DAVID BOWIE AND THE 70s by Peter Doggett published by Vintage on 4th October - purchase NOW and save 10%. New book DAVID BOWIE STYLE by Danny Lewis published on 25th October - purchase NOW and receive a 10% discount.             [Close]