• On this day, 13 years ago DAVID BOWIE released The Next Day album.

Initially released in twelve countries, The Next Day was available in various formats... Audio CD Deluxe Edition / Audio CD / Vinyl [2 LPs] digital and then later the Exclusive Japanese Blu-spec CD2.

If you never bought this album, it would make complete sense to purchase the later November 2013 release The Next Day Extra Collectors Edition 3-disc Box Set, which features more songs, remixes and a DVD featuring 4 promo videos.

• On this day, 61 years ago, DAVID BOWIE (aka Davy Jones) performed his first ever musical television appearance with The Manish Boys, when they appeared on 'Gadzooks! It's All Happening', which aired on BBC2 on March 8th 1965. The band performed their debut single 'I Pity The Fool'.

Other guests on the show included: Peter Cooke, Dorris Henderson, The Three Bells, Adrienne Poster and The Mike Leander Combo featuring The Beat Girls.

In the Radio Times dated 8th March 1965 it states: The Producer of Gadzooks, Barry Langford, is taking great care to keep his show up to date. "I'm not booking far ahead," he explains. "I'm waiting to hear the releases before I engage the artists. The scene is changing so fast that some of the guests will come as a 'complete surprise.' Davy Jones and the Manish Boys, who are appearing tonight, are likely to come into this category."

• The DAVID BOWIE legendary song Life On Mars? has now achieved PLATINUM x2 status in the UK BRIT Certified Awards Programme on 27th February.

• Opening next month at the CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY a new exhibition 'Cosmic Voyager - A Tribute to David Bowie' opens on 3rd April until 30th August. Located in the Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium, the exhibition designed for the Fulldome format, takes audiences on a 43-minute musical and visual journey showcasing the diversity and identity of Bowie's artistic vision. Shows are offered daily at 4pm (except Mondays). For more details and tickets visit cmnh.org website...

• Well worth reading is a brand new interview with TONY VISCONTI titled: 'David and I' over on the SPIN website - [Read here]...

• BOWIE FRANCE CONVENTION 2026 takes place on Sunday 14th June at La Java, 105 rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris, France from 15h00-20h30. For more details and tickets, please visit - shotgun.live website...

• Swiss only release from MONTREUX YEARS is DAVID BOWIE - LIVE IN MONTREUX 2002 on premium double heavyweight sparkle vinyl with unique artwork by David Bowie, featuring 16-tracks. Ultra-limited edition: Only 1,500 numbered copies, exclusively in Switzerland. Pre-sale: Wednesday, 11th March / Official Release: Friday, 20th March. Available on the MJF online and in-store Shop or at select stores: Vinyl Station (Zurich), Bongo Joe (Geneva), DCM Music (Aigle) and Ablette Records (Fribourg)...

• The latest BILLBOARD Greatest Pop Stars podcast subject is DAVID BOWIE - [Listen here]...

• An event taking place on 15th May is DAVID BOWIE, LINDSAY KEMP AND THE BIRTH OF ZIGGY STARDUST talk with NICHOLAS PEGG at Cranleigh Arts, 1 High Street, Cranleigh GU6 8AS, England at 7.30pm. Join Nicholas, author of The Complete David Bowie, as he takes us on a journey to discover some of the influences and inspirations behind the rock star's most famous creation. Discover in a colourful and fascinating talk illustrated with rare images and archive footage, followed by a Q&A session with the author - [More details/tickets]...

On this day, 51 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released his 'Young Americans' album in 1975.

Recorded primarily at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in August 1974, it was agreed early on to record as much of the album as possible live, with the full band playing together, including David's vocals, as a single continuous take for each song.

There were no fewer than 7 different "working" titles for the album mentioned in the press at the time, including: 'Shilling The Rubes' (which is circus slang for taking money off people), 'The Gouster', 'Somebody Up There Likes Me', 'One Damn Song', 'Fascination', 'Dancin' and 'Young American'.

For the album cover artwork, Bowie initially wanted to commission Norman Rockwell to create a painting, but retracted the offer when he heard that Rockwell would need at least six months to do the job. The album's cover photo was eventually taken in Los Angeles on 30th August 1974 by Eric Stephen Jacobs. The inspiration for the cover came from a copy of After Dark magazine (September 1974) which featured another of Jacobs' photographs of Bowie's then choreographer Toni Basil.

Calls for Papers

LATE BOWIE: LEGACY, MORTALITY AND THE ARCHIVAL IMPULSE

Kingston University, London

David Bowie's late period represents one of the most compelling and enigmatic 'eras' in a career marked by sustained processes of artistic reinvention and strategic self reconstruction. This period saw a profound re engagement with questions of identity and mortality. If Bowie's performance at Glastonbury in 2000 saw him strategically re-enter the public consciousness with renewed relevance (evidenced by a range of new biographical and critical assessments), after his death 10 years ago in 2016 he has acquired an intensified critical resonance, becoming the subject of renewed scholarly and public fascination. In his final years Bowie created a body of work that not only revisited and reconfigured earlier personas but also presented a carefully managed meditation on legacy, authorship, and the aesthetics of mortality through the apparent self-curation of his own death. This creative statement manifested across three major works: the album The Next Day (2013), the off-Broadway musical Lazarus (2015), and the album ★ (Blackstar) (2016). These are deliberately self-referential projects in which Bowie re-engages with and interrogates his own past, reasserting the only persona that remained consistent across his career: 'David Bowie'.

This conference, which takes place in the Visconti Studio at Kingston University, invites proposals which offer a range of critical and creative responses to Bowie's late-period work: his musical outputs; self-curation of persona and image, collaborations, media presence, death and posthumous reshaping of legacy in contemporary culture. The conference welcomes not only academic papers (from across all disciplines) but the work of creative practitioners whose work engages with Bowie's late-period work, especially this final period.

The Visconti Studio provides facilities for presenting musical performance, sound-based research, and audiovisual practice outputs, making it an ideal venue for practice-led contributions. The conference also welcomes proposals which engage with the newly opened David Bowie Centre at the V&A East Storehouse in London. While the conference prioritises the latter part of Bowie's career, we also invite proposals which illuminate connections between these final works and earlier periods of Bowie's career, particularly where they reveal the retrospective strategies, self-referential practices, and archival impulses.

Suggested topics for proposal might include (but are not limited to):

• Musical analysis and sonic signification.
• 2013-2016 outputs as unified artistic gesture: self-referentiality, intertextuality and archival practices across the three final works.
• The Bowie/Visconti late-period collaboration and production aesthetics.
• Jazz, improvisation and the Donny McCaslin band.
• Music video as narrative and visual assemblage.
• Jonathan Barnbrook's design work and visual identity.
• Lyrical themes: mortality, transience, morality, alienation, spirituality.
• Decoding/reading/responding to cryptic symbolism.
• Bowie biographies and critical examinations.
• Bowie's death and responses to it.
• The performance of lateness and "late style" (including late vocal style).
• "Living archives": late stars and cultural memory.
• Fan responses, mourning practices, and memorial culture.
• The Bowie Archive and the curation of the Bowie Legacy.
• The Man Who Fell to Earth (1963/1976) and its afterlives.
• Bowie's reading and his top 100 books.
• Bowieland (Peter Carpenter) - Bowie and psychogeography.
• From 'Liza Jane' to Blackstar: considering the whole career/catalogue 'journey'.

Please send all proposals to the conference coordinators: Dr Leah Kardos () and Dr Matt Melia () by March 15th, 2026.

Conference Details:
• Date: 11-12 September 2026.
• Format: [In-person].
• Venue: Visconti Studio, Kingston University, Kingston Hill Campus, KT2 7LB.

Proposal Format:
• Abstracts of 250-300 words.
• Include name, affiliation, contact email.
• Indicate if proposing practice-led presentation requiring audio/visual facilities.

Timeline:
• Proposal deadline: 15 March 2026.
• Notification: 4 May 2026.

On this day, 52 years ago, DAVID BOWIE released his 'Young Americans' album in 1975.

Recorded primarily at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in August 1974, it was agreed early on to record as much of the album as possible live, with the full band playing together, including David's vocals, as a single continuous take for each song.

There were no fewer than 7 different "working" titles for the album mentioned in the press at the time, including: 'Shilling The Rubes' (which is circus slang for taking money off people), 'The Gouster', 'Somebody Up There Likes Me', 'One Damn Song', 'Fascination', 'Dancin' and 'Young American'.

For the album cover artwork, Bowie initially wanted to commission Norman Rockwell to create a painting, but retracted the offer when he heard that Rockwell would need at least six months to do the job. The album's cover photo was eventually taken in Los Angeles on 30th August 1974 by Eric Stephen Jacobs. The inspiration for the cover came from a copy of After Dark magazine (September 1974) which featured another of Jacobs' photographs of Bowie's then choreographer Toni Basil.

• On this day, 49 years ago, IGGY POP along with DAVID BOWIE on extended piano and backing vocals, performed in Ardwick, Manchester, England at the Apollo Theatre during The Idiot Tour in 1977. The band also consisted of Ricky Gardiner, with Hunt and Tony Sales. The support band were The Vibrators...

• On this day, 50 years ago, DAVID BOWIE performed at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, US during his 1976 'On Stage!' World Tour...

• On this day, 56 years ago, DAVID BOWIE & HYPE performed at The White Bear public house, location of the Hounslow Arts Lab, run by Dave Cousins of Strawbs, in Middlesex, England in 1970. Also on the bill were Seasoning with Maggie Nichols...

Incredibly sad news to report the passing away of legendary producer/musician MIKE VERNON, aged 81.

His family announced yesterday:

'It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mike Vernon.

To the world, he was a passionate champion of the blues and a legendary record producer who helped shape so much incredible music. But to us, he was also our dad, a brother, an uncle, a grandpa and partner - our steady guide, our storyteller, and our biggest supporter.

We will miss him beyond words, but his music, his spirit, and his love will stay with us always. Rest in Blues.'

Michael William Hugh Vernon, MBE - (20th November 1944 - 2nd March 2026) - rest in peace.

Sending sincere condolences to all of Mike's family and friends.

I am sure the vast majority of you are aware that Mike produced the 1967 debut album of DAVID BOWIE released on Deram (a subsidiary of Decca Records), as well as a multitude of artists over his long and successful career.

Here's the heads up on a forthcoming book currently in the pipeline - DAVID BOWIE: MUSIC LOVER: The Inside Story of David Bowie's Record Collection by GEOFF MacCORMACK and JÉRÔME SOLIGNY.

This hardcover, 224-page publication is to be published on 15th September and you can pre-order NOW!

• An insider's guide to the music that Bowie listened to and loved.
• Jointly written by Bowie's lifelong friend and by the journalist who interviewed Bowie on numerous occasions.
• An essential playlist for any Bowie fan.

Synopsis:
David Bowie was the original influencer. For five decades, his songs helped shape the landscape of popular music. But what did he listen to? Which artists, songs and albums did Bowie tune in to throughout his life?

This book, the first of its kind, reveals more than 100 artists that made it onto Bowie's turntable.

David Bowie: Music Lover is a compelling mix of personal insight and expert commentary, jointly written by Bowie's lifelong friend, collaborator and listening companion, Geoff MacCormack, and Jérôme Soligny, author of the seminal Rainbowman, who knew Bowie for 25 years.

From Classical to Britpop, Electronica to Delta Blues, the book explores Bowie's eclectic playlist, redolent of the decades he lived through but also of his deep interest in all genres and eras of music. It's a story that begins with Little Richard on Bowie's childhood Dansette record player, and ends with Kendrick Lamar, a go-to listen during the recording of Blackstar, released just two days before he died.

An indispensable guide for Bowie fans and all Music Lovers.

About the Authors:
Geoff MacCormack was David Bowie's lifelong friend. They grew up together, sharing an interest in music that continued throughout their lives. Geoff joined Bowie's 1973 world tour as an additional back-up vocalist and percussionist, and later as a 'Diamond Dog' in '74 and what would be known as 'The Young Americans Soul Tour'. He also worked with Bowie on the six albums from Aladdin Sane to Station to Station. David Bowie: Music Lover is Geoff's second book with ACC, following on from David Bowie: Rock 'n' Roll with Me (2023).

Jérôme Soligny is a musician, writer and journalist who interviewed David Bowie on numerous occasions over a 25-year period. He is the author of Rainbowman (Monoray, 2023), widely acclaimed for its rigorous research into Bowie the musician. In 2019, Jérôme was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by Tony Visconti.

DAVID BOWIE: MUSIC LOVER: The Inside Story of David Bowie's Record Collection is to be published on 15th September and you can pre-order NOW!

Well worth watching is the footage of MICK RONSON at the Rainbow Theatre on 23rd February 1974 and the following morning at home.

Director and producer Marc Coker says: "This is the first time that this footage has been assembled since it was thrown in a skip as a discarded asset. The reconstruction has been an intense process. When the film and audio cans were opened, it was a random and totally fragmented collection of 16mm film and audio clips. It was as if some malign person had kicked a 5,000 piece jigsaw into the air and there was no box top to work out what went where. Remember, the audio and the film were recorded separately. Not video. There were no tracking information sheets or clapperboards and it was obvious that this entire collection of audio visual rushes had been stopped in early post production and simply packed into film cans with no plan or organisation. Very Marie Celeste."

"Initial reconstruction and cleaning began on flatbed Steenbacks before transferring to the digital medium. It was a process of lip reading to match music and dialogue. The concert audio although recorded at the time on 16 track had been lost, with just a damaged 1/4" guide tape for syncing the cameras in post. Plus the cameras themselves were battery powered, so ran at different speeds. And bands do tend to play faster live.":

Besides his band, Mike Garson, Trevor Bolder, Mark Carr-Pritchard, Ritchie Dharma and Thunderthighs (Karen Friedman, Dari Lalou and Casey Synge), there is plenty of backstage footage. See if you can spot Suzi Fussey (later to become Mrs. Ronson), Robin Mayhew, Geoff MacCormack, Tony Defries, Jamie Andrews, Mick Rock, Dana Gillespie, BP Fallon - as well as outside the venue footage where Cherry Vanilla talks to numerous people including Simon Turner and the famous Bowie look-a-like fan Henry Sabini and his girlfriend Lesley.

When you've finished watching, also check out an excellent interview with photographer Mick Rock talking about Ronno and Bowie also on Marc Coker's YouTube channel.

For those of you who use FACEBOOK - check out the private DAVID BOWIE WONDERWORLD Group.

Feel free to join in with the other 105,300 plus members, add yourself and invite your Bowie fan friends. You never know what might get posted, or who you might meet...

DAVID BOWIE: YOU'RE NOT ALONE opens next month on 22nd April at Lightroom, Kings Cross in London.

Be transported into the many worlds of David Bowie. Through iconic performances, rarely-seen interviews and never-before-exhibited material, discover the creative mind, spirit and soul of one of the world's greatest, most visionary artists. Featuring Bowie himself as its sole voice, You're Not Alone is both a multimedia spectacle and an intimate and revealing self-portrait.

Whether you're reliving the magic or discovering it for the very first time: this is your ticket to the landmark Bowie performances that changed culture forever.

Tickets on sale now for 22nd April - 28th June 2026, with more dates to be announced.

Venue: Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, London, United Kingdom, N1C 4DY.

For more details and information, please visit: lightroom.uk website.

• DAVID BOWIE: MUSIC LOVER: The Inside Story of David Bowie's Record Collection by GEOFF MacCORMACK and JÉRÔME SOLIGNY, hardcover, 224-pages - to be published on 15th September - more details

• HOLY HOLY 2026 UK Tour - The Final Tour - 'A Celebration of Bowie' gigs in September in Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Bristol and Manchester - tickets on sale now more details

• HEROES: DAVID BOWIE AND BERLIN by TOBIAS RÜTHER, paperback, 184-pages - to be published on 1st July - more details

• BOWIE FRANCE CONVENTION 2026 takes place on 14th June at La Java, 105 rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris, France from 15h00-20h30 - more details

• DAVID BOWIE: FOREVER AND EVER: An Illustrated Biography by CLAUDIO FABRETTI, hardcover, 208-pages - to be published on 28th May - more details

• BOWIE TAKES AMERICA: The Making of a Rock Icon by MICK WALL, hardcover, 304-pages - to be published on 21st May - more details

• DAVID BOWIE: FROM BERLIN WITH MODERN LOVE by LIAM COLNER, paperback, 144-pages - to be published on 15th May - more details

• Event: DAVID BOWIE, LINDSAY KEMP AND THE BIRTH OF ZIGGY STARDUST talk with NICHOLAS PEGG at Cranleigh Arts, 1 High Street, Cranleigh GU6 8AS, England on 15th May at 7.30pm - more details

• DAVID BOWIE: YOU'RE NOT ALONE opens on 22nd April at Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, Kings Cross, London - more details

• RECORD STORE DAY 2026 two DAVID BOWIE releases: Hallo Spaceboy 12" Neon Pink EP and Excerpts From Outside Half-Speed Remastered 1LP clear vinyl - RSD takes place on 18th April - more details

• BOWIE ODYSSEY 76 (SPECIAL EDITION) by SIMON GODDARD, hardcover, 200-pages - to be published on 9th April - more details

• BOWIE ODYSSEY 76 by SIMON GODDARD, paperback, 200-pages - to be published on 9th April - more details

• DAVID BOWIE: LEGACY: THE ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY by CAROLYN McHUGH, hardcover, 160-pages - to be published on 6th April - more details

• CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY exhibition 'Cosmic Voyager - A Tribute to David Bowie' opens 3rd April until 30th August in the Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium, shows daily at 4pm (except Mondays) - more details

• Swiss only release from MONTREUX YEARS is DAVID BOWIE - LIVE IN MONTREUX 2002 on premium double heavyweight sparkle vinyl with unique artwork by David Bowie, featuring 16-tracks, only 1,500 numbered copies, exclusively in Switzerland. Pre-sale: 11th March / Official Release: 20th March. Available at MJF online and in-store Shop or at select stores: Vinyl Station (Zurich), Bongo Joe (Geneva), DCM Music (Aigle) and Ablette Records (Fribourg)

Limited Edition DAVID BOWIE - STATION TO STATION 50th Anniversary Half-Speed Mastered Vinyl Picture Disc LP with poster - released on 23rd January - more details

DAVID BOWIE AND THE SEARCH FOR LIFE, DEATH AND GOD by PETER ORMEROD, hardcover, 256-pages - published on 15th January - more details

LAZARUS: THE SECOND COMING OF DAVID BOWIE by ALEXANDER LARMAN, hardcover, 384-pages - published on 1st January - more details

All numbered copies SOLD OUT! Handful of unnumbered copies remaining. DAVID BOWIE - THE YEAR OF THE SCAVENGER luxury collector's book from MAYAK PUBLISHING covering the 1974 period - available to purchase now - to claim your exclusive £10 discount use WONDER10 at checkout, 710-pages - mayakpublishing.co.uk

Exclusive DAVID BOWIE lino-cut print available to PURCHASE - don't hang around, these are ALL the remaining original left-over stock from 42 years ago, once they've gone, they've gone!