David Bowie News July 2005

BOWIE TV and WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING IN JULY - MONTHLY PLANNER

[BOWIEWONDERWORLD SHOP] [LATEST DAVID BOWIE ITEMS ON eBAY]

[BW POLL: FAVOURITE BOWIE ALBUM? Final Round - VOTE HERE]

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GAP PROMO CD FEATURES BOWIE COVER
29th July 2005

On September 1st GAP Stores will be giving away a limited-edition eight-song CD as a gift with each purchase made in their US stores.

Included on the free compilation CD is MICHELLE BRANCH's cover of the DAVID BOWIE classic song 'Life On Mars?'

Other artists on the CD include: Alanis Morissette, Incubus' Brandon Boyd, Joss Stone, John Legend, Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams, Jason Mraz and Liz Phair.

MIKE GARSON TURNS 60
29th July 2005

Happy Birthday! It was on this day in 1945 - 60 years ago - that MIKE GARSON entered the stage of life for his biggest show yet. From his early days in Brooklyn to his global travels with DAVID BOWIE, Mike has made a positive impact on the world in which he lives. Whether assuming the role of Papa or Pianoman, Mike embraces each day with optimism, energy and originality.

"If I am truly passionate about and love what I do, I believe that feeling can be transmuted to and inspire the people who receive my art," says Mike.

To celebrate this special day www.mikegarson.com have launched a revised bio of Mike that includes everything he has accomplished in recent months - and plans to tackle in the foreseeable future. To read the bio, visit www.mikegarson.com now!

To subscribe to the Mike Garson Gazette List Delivery: Send a message to with the word 'subscribe' in the Subject field.

Visit Mike's official website @ mikegarson.com

BW POLL: FAVORITE BOWIE ALBUM? FINAL ROUND
28th July 2005

Which is your favourite DAVID BOWIE album? The final round of voting currently has 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars' in poll position with 23.5% of the votes.

The top five poll results so far are:

     01. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars (23.55%)
     02. 1.Outside (21.98%)
     03. Station To Station (19.57%)
     04. Low (18.24%)
     05. Diamond Dogs (16.67%)

REGISTER YOUR VOTE HERE FOR THE FINAL ROUND

BOWIE'S BACK ON STAGE IN SEPTEMBER!
27th July 2005

Fantastic news that DAVID BOWIE returns to the stage for a live performance in September at the RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL in New York.

BowieNet have announced that David plans to perform one song live for the FASHION ROCKS event on 8th September 2005.

Tickets priced $69.50 go on sale THIS Friday (29th July) at 10:00am ET at radiocity.com - (Click on page 2 for Fashion Rocks ticket details and information).

Other artists lined up for The Fashion Of Music event include: Destiny's Child, Duran Duran, Billy Idol, Alicia Keys, Tim McGraw, Gwen Stefani, Joss Stone, Rob Thomas and many more!

Radio City Music Hall is located on 6th Avenue between 50th Street and 51st Street, New York City.

DAVID LIVE AND STAGE ON DVD-AUDIO
27th July 2005

Update: The new releases of DAVID BOWIE's 'David Live' and 'Stage' on DVD-Audio are now set for a revised street date of 14th November 2005.

PRESS RELEASE: EMI Music Releases First 'DTS Signature Series' Surround Titles; Seven New DVD-Audio Titles Available

DTS (Digital Theater Systems, Inc.) (Nasdaq:DTSI) and EMI Music have announced release dates for the first DVD-Audio (DVD-A) music titles in the 'DTS Signature Series' collection from EMI. Representing some of the top artists from EMI's catalog as well as current releases, the new 'DTS Signature Series' DVD - As include titles from David Bowie, N.E.R.D., Cassandra Wilson, Simple Minds and The Thrills.

Bearing a new 'DTS Signature Series' logo, each DVD-Audio disc is created by the DTS Entertainment production team, and offers exclusive 5.1 surround sound re-mixes plus a variety of bonus features, including videos, artist biographies, photo galleries, lyrics and more. The series will be distributed globally by EMI.

The street date is: David Bowie 'David Live' and 'Stage' - November 2005.

"EMI Music and DTS together have been championing surround music, and the 'DTS Signature Series' represents our commitment to the continuing growth of the next generation of music," said Jeff Skillen, vice president, Pro Audio and Technology Evangelism. "These releases are great examples of how surround sound can enhance the listening experience, and we look forward to working on more titles from EMI."

"EMI is very excited about working with DTS on the Signature Series. DVD-Audio offers fans the opportunity to listen to their favourite albums in uncompressed surround sound for the first time," said Mark Dunn, vice president, Global Marketing, EMI Music. "With DVD-Audio we can also offer fans additional content such as video footage, lyrics, photographs, etc on the same disc as the surround sound album. EMI continues to explore all new technologies and soundcarrier formats in order to enhance the musical experience."

About EMI Music
EMI Music is the world's largest independent record company, operating in nearly 50 countries around the world. Its record labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, EMI, EMI Classics, Manhattan, Mute, Parlophone and Virgin.

You can pre-order both titles now: David Live [DVD Audio] and Stage [DVD Audio]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO IMAN!
25th July 2005

To Iman
Wishing you a very very Happy Birthday
Have a wonderful day

Best wishes from Paul and family and everyone at BowieWonderworld xxxxx

CRITERION TMWFTE DVD RELEASE
23rd July 2005

Update: THE CRITERION DVD COLLECTION release a brand new special collectors edition of THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (CC1616D) on September 13th which features exclusive audio commentary by DAVID BOWIE, Nicolas Roeg and Buck Henry.

The director-approved special edition double-disc DVD set features

     New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by director Nicolas Roeg.
     Exclusive audio commentary by Roeg and actors David Bowie and Buck Henry.
     Performance, a compilation of new video interviews with actors Candy Clark and Rip Torn.
     New video interview with screenwriter Paul Mayersberg.
     Audio interviews with costume designer May Routh and production designer Brian Eatwell.
     Multiple stills galleries, including Routh's costume sketches; behind-the-scenes photos.
     Production and publicity stills, introduced by set photographer David James.
     Gallery of posters from Roeg's films.
     Trailers and television spots.
     Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
     Plus: an exclusive reprint of Walter Tevis's original novel, courtesy of Vintage Books.
     A booklet featuring a new essay on the film by critic Graham Fuller and an appreciation of Tevis by novelist Jack Matthews.

You can Pre-Order The Man Who Fell to Earth DVD now and save 30% discount.

TAKE A QUICK BUTCHERS...
19th July 2005

Reported in today's DAILY EXPRESS newspaper is the news that DAVID BOWIE's Seventies alter-ego ZIGGY STARDUST is set to be honoured with a green commemorative plaque - backed by the Queen's Crown Estate. If approved the plaque will be unveiled on Heddon Street, London where as you know David was photographed for his 1972 album cover of TRAFOZSATSFM. A council spokesman said: "The proposal is an imaginative and worthwhile one." - from ZippyStardust...

HBO has launched a new campaign in Latin America with the tagline "Si no fuera por HBO, no escaparÃ�amos de la rutina" (If it weren't for HBO, we would not escape from routine). The campaign, which consists of five spots, shows a series of individuals having a bad day (a visit from auditors, a difficult legal case, a traffic ticket) but when they think of HBO, they realise life isn't so bad and there's always a way to get out of the routine. The background music for the campaign is the DAVID BOWIE classic song "Heroes"...

Montreal band THE ARCADE FIRE all set for a North American tour have bought a small church in rural Quebec in which to build a studio. The band is scheduled to start work on a new album in late Fall. New songs like 'Winter For A Year,' 'Virgin Mary Highway' and 'Burning Bridges, Breaking Hearts' have been played live during the past year, but singer Win Butler said it's too early to tell what will make the album. The group has no shortage of new material, including a song for band booster DAVID BOWIE - [Read full article]...

Another band DAVID BOWIE went to see in New York recently CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH are interviewed online at the RadarOnline website. One of the questions asked: Q: Were you blown away when David Bowie popped up at your Knitting Factory gig?

Alec Ounsworth: It was nice, but that's about all I can say about it. This guy who was interviewing me earlier was going on and on about how Bowie came to our show. I have a lot of respect for Bowie, and I would love to meet him and talk to him, but I gotta say that people get carried away with entertainment hero-worship - [Read full article]...

PRESS RELEASE: STRANGE FASCINATION
19th July 2005

PRESS RELEASE: Strange Fascination by David Buckley

'As a critique-cum-re-establishment of the David Bowie character, "definitive" is pretty much it' - The Guardian

Published: 4th August 2005
Priced: £12.99 PB

From the renowned Bowieologist whose biography sent us 'scuttling back to the records' comes the new and updated complete works of the legend - DAVID BOWIE. The contemporary icon is now in his fifth decade of music making and here is the ultimate biography that documents the ever-changing world of David Bowie - and what a world it is...

David Bowie has always been at the cutting edge of popular music, encompassing everything from the glam rock Ziggy, to the soulful Thin White Duke, electric sounds of Berlin, synthesizer-based electropop of the New Romantics, drum and bass right through to the technology of the BowieNet noughties.

This revised edition includes:

     1. Exclusive details of the tour; making of the albums; the arguments; the split-ups; the music and of course the man himself.
     2. Exclusive interviews and additional photographic material.
     3. A new introduction and additional chapter.

Strange Fascination comes out at a time when this kaleidoscopic musician is, once again, on a creative roll and documents the way Bowie's music reflects his ever-changing persona. Bowie's subsequent pioneering sexual experimentation, cracked actor showmanship and ability to embrace every musical genre from glam rock to drum 'n' bass have made him into the biggest critical success in rock history since the Beatles and the Stones. He is as much an icon in 2005 as he was during the '70s.

Buckley's unique approach to Bowie's work captures his amazing creativity and never-ending quest to remain relevant. 'I'm never ever gonna get old' sings Bowie on the Reality album. As the icon seamlessly embraces the 21st century, it's easy to believe.

About the author: David Buckley remains the best and most authoritative voice of Bowie today. Gaining his doctorate from a thesis on David Bowie, he was requested by the artist himself to repackage the introduction guide of 'The Complete Guide to the Music of David Bowie' in CD format to accompany the release of Earthling in 1997.

From Virgin Books.

You can Pre-ORDER NOW for only £9.09 and receive a 30% discount.

IT'S GLAM DAMMIT
19th July 2005

Twig The Wonderkid and The Astronettes put their arms around your head whilst spinning glam, punk, and rock 'n' roll with glamorous guest d.j. Michael T... featured in black book magazine... "it's a crash-course for the ravers... underworld dandies and moonage daydreamers... a gorgeously trashy selection of glam faves!!"

Featuring the screening of rare 1973 Ziggy BBC documentary on Saturday July 23rd @ 10pm.

Address: Cinema Classics, 332 E 11th St, New York City.

From Antonio.

WHEN THE WIND BLOWS ON DVD
14th July 2005

Based on the celebrated illustrated novel by Raymond Briggs, author of The Snowman, Father Christmas, and Fungus The Bogeyman, the acclaimed animated feature WHEN THE WIND BLOWS is released on DVD (Region 2) for the first time ever on 26th September 2005.

Directed by Roger Corman protégé Jimmy T. Murakami (Battle Beyond The Stars; Humanoids From The Deep) and boasting the vocal talents of Oscar winners Sir John Mills (Ryan's Daughter) and Dame Peggy Ashcroft (A Passage To India), this unforgettable film features a haunting musical score by Pink Floyd's Roger Waters and a memorable title track by DAVID BOWIE and Pat Metheny Group.

When The Wind Blows will be released on DVD by Channel 4 DVD. Special Features - transfer from fully restored 35mm print, all new in depth interview with Raymond Briggs, 'Making of' documentary and 2.0 stereo sound.

You can pre-order When The Wind Blows NOW and receive a 25% discount.

TOMMY BOY COMPILATION IN THE WORKS
14th July 2005

The founder and CEO of one of pioneering hip-hop label in Tommy Boy is coming back with a hip-hop compilation like no other. Instead of your run of the mill mix of various hip-hop artists, CEO TOM SILVERMAN has personally selected and compiled twelve of the most sampled tracks in hip-hop's history.

Hits like Billy Squier's 'The Big Beat' (most recently featured on Jay Z's '99 Problems'), Bob James' 'Take Me to the Mardi Gras' (sampled by Run DMC for 'Peter Piper' and LL Cool J on 'Rock the Bells'), Cymande's 'Bra' (most popularly used in DJ Kool's 'Let Me Clear My Throat'), and DAVID BOWIE's Rock/Funk hit 'Fame' (lifted by Public Enemy for 'Night of the Living Baseheads') are among the records featured on Tommy Boy's compilation, entitled 'Hip-Hop Roots'.

'Hip-Hop Roots' is slated to drop on August 9th on Tommy Boy Records.

Final tracklisting:

     'It's Just Begun' - The Jimmy Castor Bunch (RCA, 1972)
     'The Big Beat' - Billy Squier (Capitol, 1980)
     'Think (About It)' - Lyn Collins featuring the JB's (People, 1970)
     'Take Me To The Mardi Gras' - Bob James (CTI, 1975)
     'Fame' - David Bowie (RCA, 1975)
     'Happy Music' - The Blackbyrds (Fantasy, 1975)
     'Express Yourself' - Charles Wright and The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (Warner, 1969)
     'Bra' - Cymande (Janus, 1972)
     'Mary Mary' - The Monkees (Colgems, 1967)
     'Let A Woman Be A Woman, And Let A Man Be A Man' - Dyke and The Blazers (Original Sound, 1969)
     'Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose' - James Brown (King, 1970)
     'UFO' - ESG (99 Records, 1981)

You can pre-order Tommy Boy Presents: Hip Hop Roots now on import or alternatively you can Pre-Order NOW from the US.

ARTHUR AND THE MINIMOYS
13th July 2005

French film-maker LUC BESSON is interviewed today on the GuardianUnlimited website talking about his forthcoming movie 'Arthur and the Minimoys' which stars DAVID BOWIE as the voice of 'Maltazard'.

The movie also stars Mia Farrow and Freddie Highmore (of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) in the flesh, and the voices of David Bowie, Madonna and Snoop Dogg, and is due for simultaneous release in 20 countries in time for Christmas next year.

Besson's fourth Arthur book, Arthur and the War of Two Worlds, is at the top of the French bestseller lists less than a month after its launch. The first three, starting with Arthur and the Minimoys - which has just been published in Britain - have sold more than 1m copies in more than 30 countries.

You can order the book Arthur and the Minimoys here and receive a 33% discount.

STEALTH SOUNDTRACK OUT NOW IN US
12th July 2005

Reminder: The official soundtrack to STEALTH is released today in the US which features the brand new DAVID BOWIE and BT song entitled '(She Can) Do It'.

You can order the official soundtrack to Stealth. You can also now pre-order Stealth on import for UK and Europe. Visit the epicrecords.com website and you'll find a sample of the new Bowie song on track 4.

TWENTY MOST UNDERRATED ROCK ALBUMS
12th July 2005

Over on the EARVOLUTION website they've just published a brand new article entitled the 'Twenty Most Underrated Rock Albums' written by David Schultz. Included on the list is the debut album from TIN MACHINE.

Tin Machine: Tin Machine (1989)

This is the one album that would be impossible to overrate. It didn't sell well and was reviled by practically every music critic. Critics hated his album - not just disliked it, but hated it - like it kidnapped their mother or killed their dog - or both. For those who don't remember, in 1989 David Bowie renounced his solo career and formed a band with guitarist Reeves Gabriel and Soupy Sales' two kids. The eponymously titled album that followed was a dark, gloomy and downbeat affair. After releasing a handful of chirpy and insubstantial records in the 80's, (Let's Dance, Blue Jean) the heavy guitars was a drastic change for Bowie. Bowie fans should always be prepared to expect the unexpected from the thin white Duke, but no one seemed willing to accept Bowie as part of a band, especially this band. But here's the thing, looking back on this album, the simple fact is it wasn't that bad - in fact, I will stand alone on the island and proclaim that it was actually pretty damn good. In the 70's Bowie had an edge to him that vanished sometime in the 80's. Save for a misguided cover of Lennon's Working Class Hero, which was a grand idea but somewhat failed in its execution, this album gave Bowie the roughest non-glam edge he'd had in his career. Underappreciated in its time, it deserves a better legacy.

Visit the Earvolution website to see which other underrated albums made the list.

DVD RELEASE OF GUNSLINGER'S REVENGE
9th July 2005

Remember last month I mentioned the forthcoming DVD release of GUNSLINGER'S REVENGE - well here's an update...

It is indeed the renamed title for the USA DVD release of 'Il Mio West' which stars DAVID BOWIE as 'Jack Sikora' and Harvey Keitel. Directed by Giovanni Veronesi, also starring Leonardo Pieraccioni and Sandrine Holt, the movie was originally released in Italy in 1998.

The Region 1 DVD is scheduled for a release date 6th September from Columbia Tristar Home with a running time of 86 minutes.

You can pre-order the Gunslinger's Revenge NOW and receive a 10% discount.

TMWFTE NEW COLLECTORS DVD RELEASE
7th July 2005

THE CRITERION COLLECTION are all set to release a brand new special collectors edition of THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (CC1616D) on September 13th which features exclusive audio commentary by DAVID BOWIE, Nicolas Roeg and Buck Henry.

'The Man Who Fell To Earth' is a daring exploration of science fiction as an art form. The story of an alien on an elaborate rescue mission provides the launching pad for Nicolas Roeg's visual tour de force, a formally adventurous examination of alienation in contemporary life. Rock legend David Bowie completely embodies the title role, while Candy Clark, Buck Henry, and Rip Torn turn in pitch-perfect supporting performances.

The film's hallucinatory vision was obscured in the American theatrical release, which deleted nearly twenty minutes of crucial scenes and details. The Criterion Collection is proud to present Roeg's full, uncut version, in this exclusive new director-approved high-definition widescreen transfer.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES:

     New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by director Nicolas Roeg.
     Exclusive audio commentary by Roeg and actors David Bowie and Buck Henry.
     Performance, a compilation of new video interviews with actors Candy Clark and Rip Torn.
     New video interview with screenwriter Paul Mayersberg.
     Audio interviews with costume designer May Routh and production designer Brian Eatwell.
     Multiple stills galleries, including Routh's costume sketches; behind-the-scenes photos.
     Production and publicity stills, introduced by set photographer David James.
     Gallery of posters from Roeg's films.
     Trailers and television spots.
     Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
     Plus: an exclusive reprint of Walter Tevis's original novel, courtesy of Vintage Books.
     A booklet featuring a new essay on the film by critic Graham Fuller and an appreciation of Tevis by novelist Jack Matthews.

You can Pre-Order The Man Who Fell to Earth DVD now and save 30% discount.

Thanks to P-Lo for the pointer.

TAKE A QUICK BUTCHERS...
7th July 2005

You can now listen to a longer sample of DAVID BOWIE's brand new song '(She Can) Do That' that he wrote in collaboration with BRIAN TRANSEAU. The track features on the forthcoming official soundtrack to the movie Stealth, which is released by Sony on Tuesday 12th July. You can pre-order the official soundtrack to Stealth. You can also now pre-order Stealth on import for UK and Europe. Visit the epicrecords.com website and you'll find the new Bowie song track 4 - (from IamRockinHorse)...

Top French fashion designer HEDI SLIMANE states in an online interview at the Globe and Mail website that "...my biggest fantasy was when DAVID BOWIE started wearing my clothes. He was always my idol." - [Read article here]...

Fishtown guitarmaker CHRIS DiPINTO created six instruments in the shape of the Live 8 logo for Saturday's shows, at the behest of Electric Factory Concerts, the Philly promoter. Two were set up backstage; performers were asked to sign one and the Dave Matthews Band signed the other. Two were shipped to London, where various artists signed one and members of Pink Floyd signed another. The fifth is in Electric Factory's offices and the sixth sits in his shop. Their bodies are made of poplar and they're playable, says DiPinto, who started building guitars after having trouble finding suitable left handed axes for himself. He's made them for DAVID BOWIE sidekick EARL SLICK, Bowie himself, Jack White, John Sebastian and Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick. The five guitars will be sold at Electric Factory's next charity auction...

Hallo spaceboy... if you're into Science Fiction, Star Wars, film making or art... there's an interesting topic on PETER ELLENSHAW the artist responsible for some of the paintings in the 1976 movie 'The Man Who Fell To Earth' which starred DAVID BOWIE as alien visitor Thomas Jerome Newton over on jimhillmedia.com - [Read article here]...

ZIGGY STARDUST BACK IN NEW YORK
7th July 2005

Reminder: The Endicott Performing Arts Center Repertory Company in New York starts its three-day run of their play 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust' this coming Friday.

"It's the latest follow-up to our other rock album series we have been doing like The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon. Ziggy pretty much already has a story to it, which makes everything much easier," said Patrick Foti, creator of the show and artistic director of EPAC. "The album was ahead of its time."

And since it came out in 1972, it most probably was ahead of the time of the cast members, too, but no problem.

"Everyone that auditioned, I asked them if they knew about Ziggy Stardust, just so they would know what they were getting into," Foti said. "And it's safe to say every one of them pretty much knew."

Like The Wall and Dark Side, Ziggy will integrate live performance of the music, video backdrops, theatrical lighting and a dramatic story line employing the talents of a cast of 18.

"The band is in the pit this time, and we aren't using them as much as we usually use them, and I am adding four songs to the actual Ziggy album because there are only 11 songs on the album. They are all David Bowie songs from the same time period, and they just fit so well," said Foti, who directed as well as created the show.

Paula Bacorn is musical director, keyboardist and conductor with Randy McStine and Mike Whitney on guitars, Mike Cook on bass, Al Miele on drums and Tony Alduino on saxophone. McStine also has the role of The Spider. Ziggy Stardust is Bobby Daglio and the Soul Girls include Noelle Paley, Rene Neville, Kristy Sickles and Lynne Hardie.

By Sarah D'Esti Miller

You can read the full article online at the at PressConnects.com website.

DAVID AND IMAN DO WHATEVER IT TAKES
6th July 2005

Update: As mentioned last month on 8th June DAVID BOWIE and IMAN have both contributed towards the 'Messages of Hope' designs to the charity organisation 21st CENTURY LEADERS who will be producing various products for sale.

David's artwork is entitled 'Peace Thru Art' and Iman's is titled 'Peace Thru Tolerance'. From these designs Whateverittakes.org have produced a David Bowie numbered edition plate and mug gift set. At the moment, they are negotiating with retailers on the launch date, prices, etc, which they hope will be available in Spring 2006. They will be also be developing other Bowie products in the future.

Here's an exclusive sneak preview of David's porcelain plates and mug designs that will be available via tableware distributors to high-end stores in 23 countries.

You can find out more information by visiting the 21st Century Leaders flash presentation here which explains the whole process.

Coming soon are also wristbands available online at whateverittakes.org and also on sale for £2.99 at 130 Virgin Megastores throughout the country.

21st Century Leaders is a unique charity artwork project. The concept is simple. They gather artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, noble peace laureates, sports, literature etc. Each ambassador donates a symbol of hope, a self portrait and a message of hope for the future.

These artworks are being used to create products, initially charity wristbands, clothing, tableware, ethical cosmetics and stationary released on the 21CL label. The goal of 21st Century Leaders' charitable brand is to sell 'merchandise with a meaning'. All products are manufactured under fair working conditions and are sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader.

100% of net profits are donated to charity. The aim is to raise a minimum of $3 million over three years to fund charitable projects in developing countries, contribute to the protection of the environment and other charitable causes.

Products are sold, with the promotional support of our leaders, through retail partnerships, editorial, brand promotional partnerships and on the 21CL website. In the process they strive to assist and encourage a generation of influencers, to take ownership, positive action and raise awareness among their fans, for a global international development cause. They call the campaign www.whateverittakes.org

Surf on over to 21CL and www.whateverittakes.org and see who's taking part in this very worthwhile cause.

David appears in the 'Music' category (number 027) and Iman appears in the 'Fashion' category (number 037). Select the selection from the drop down list.

Artwork © David Bowie/21st Century Leaders/Trade plus Aid 2004.

HE'S THE SHADOW MAN
5th July 2005

DAVID BOWIE was out on the town the other night to catch Austin Pendleton's play 'Orson's Shadow' at the Barrow Street Theatre in New York.

The play directed by David Cromer and starring Sean McNall, Susan Bennett, John Judd, Lee Roy Rogers, Jeff Still and Ian Westerfer tells the story of notorious film director Orson Welles who senses his foothold in the screen industry slipping. Coaxed into a new endeavor by theatre critic and friend Kenneth Tynan, the directorial giant finds himself at the helm of a West End production of Ionesco's 'Rhinoceros' starring Laurence Olivier and his paramour Joan Plowright. Olivier’s eccentric wife Vivien Leigh adds to the volatile mix as legendary egos collide on stage and off. A fictional rendering of actual events, Orson's Shadow imagines the circumstances behind the staging of this absurdist masterpiece and reveals the human frailty of these titan personalities.

Other celebs who checked out the play were Harold Prince, Mike Nichols and Diane Sawyer, Stephen Sondheim, Woody Allen, Cherry Jones, Alec Baldwin, Frank Langella, Tyne Daly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ian McKellen, Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson, John Guare, Terrence McNally, Victor Garber, Tony Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Matthew Modine, Olympia Dukakis, Judd Hirsch, Peter Boyle and Peter Shaffer, along with dozens more of similar stature.

You can find out more information about Orson's Shadow at orsontheplay.com website.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZULEKHA
5th July 2005

Wishing ZULEKHA a Very Happy Birthday today!

Best wishes and many happy returns of the day from everyone at Wonderworld

A THROWBACK FROM SOMEONE'S LP
5th July 2005

Rock band QUEEN have been named the most successful music act in UK album chart history, according to figures released by the Guinness World Records.

In the list compiled by the Book of British Hit Singles and Albums, DAVID BOWIE is listed in eighth position with a total of 1,005 weeks in the British charts.

Top ten album acts are as follows:

     01. Queen (1,322 Weeks)
     02. The Beatles (1,293 Weeks)
     03. Elvis Presley (1,280 Weeks)
     04. U2 (1,150 Weeks)
     05. Dire Straits (1,136 Weeks)
     06. Simon And Garfunkel (1,114 Weeks)
     07. Madonna (1,032 Weeks)
     08. DAVID BOWIE (1,005 Weeks)
     09. Sir Elton John (989 Weeks)
     10. Michael Jackson (966 Weeks)

YOUR FAVORITE BOWIE ALBUM? ROUND 2 RESULTS
4th July 2005

Which is your favourite DAVID BOWIE album? The poll result for the second round of voting went as follows:

     01. Low
     02. Station To Station
     03. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars
     04. 1.Outside
     05. Diamond Dogs
     06. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
     07. Heathen
     08. Aladdin Sane
     09. Reality
     10. Earthling

The top five albums now go into the final round.

REGISTER YOUR VOTE HERE FOR THE FINAL ROUND

LUTHER VANDROSS REST IN PEACE
3rd July 2005

Sad news to report that American soul singer LUTHER VANDROSS passed away on Friday (July 1st) in a New Jersey hospital aged 54 years.

"Luther Vandross had a peaceful passing under the watchful eye of friends, family and the medical support team," said a spokesperson at JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey.

Luther's first break in the music business came in the early 1970s, when guitarist CARLOS ALOMAR, who had been at school with Vandross, was hired to join DAVID BOWIE's band. When David went to The Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia to record his 'Young Americans' album, he asked Vandross to sing backing vocals.

Luther was then invited to sing backing vocals for David during his tour of the USA on his 'The Year Of The Diamond Dogs'. His first show being at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on 2nd September 1974. The following month, the tour had become known as Philly Dogs/Soul Tour, carried on for a further 41 shows until 1st December 1974.

In 1981 Vandross was finally signed to Epic and 'Never Too Much', his first album, sold more than one million copies. He produced the album himself, and soon the heroines of his youth, Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin, were asking Vandross to apply his polished restraint to their own recordings.

During his successful solo career, Luther notched up eight Grammy Awards and sold over 25 million records.

ZIGGY IN LID MAGAZINE
3rd July 2005

DAVID BOWIE is to appear on the front cover of the New York based photographic arts magazine LID for their August issue.

Issue 3 of Lid magazine is almost here and also featured in this edition are exclusive interviews with legendary rock and roll photographers Leee Black Childers, Stephanie Chernikowski and Jon Levicke along with amazing photographs of some of the greatest icons in music including never before seen vintage photos of David Bowie, Brian Eno, Alice Cooper, The Who, The Ramones, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, Joni Mitchell and so much more.

If you wish to secure your own copy you can place an advance order in their online shop. Don't miss what is sure to be an instant collector's item! Issue No 3 goes on sale in August - look for all 4 covers.

More details and information can be found at worldoflid.com website.

From Dagon James Publisher of Lid Magazine.

LEEE BLACK CHILDERS BOOK IN THE PIPELINE
3rd July 2005

LEEE BLACK CHILDERS is an essential character of New York's underground. He started taking photographs very early on, but his career really kicked off in 1967 when he became Andy Warhol's assistant at The Factory, alongside Gerard Malanga and Bridget Polk. Andy was a mentor for and rapidly introduced Leee to many artists and personalities, enabling him to become a renowned Rock and Celebrity photographer.

Leee spent a lot of time at Max's Kansas City, where many of New York's poets, painters, musicians, and Andy Warhol's "superstars" could be seen hanging out. In 1971, Leee and several actors from the Factory went to London to perform the play Pork at The Roundhouse.

At an acoustic concert there he met the then quasi-unknown DAVID BOWIE, who was on a promotional tour for his Hunky Dory album. Leee got involved in the Ziggy Stardust tour, thus becoming a full-time employee of the MainMan company. During this time he made many acquaintances and friends, including the New York Dolls, and took the very first photographs of them, long before they released their first album.

In 1973, he began to work with Mott The Hoople and then Iggy Pop and The Stooges. By the end of 1974 he was a regular at CBGB, the mythical club which spawned the American punk movement. CBs was frequented by the likes of the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Richard Hell, The Dead Boys, Patti Smith and Television. In 1975 Leee was managing The Heartbreakers with Johnny Thunders, whom he had befriended several years earlier. Leee and the Heartbreakers all went to London the following year and witnessed the soaring of the early British punk movement, with The Sex Pistols, The Damned, The Clash, and The Buzzcocks, among many others. Back in New York, Leee continued to work on the career of Johnny Thunders.

Throughout all those years, Leee never stopped taking pictures. Most of them were initially meant to be personal photos, and the majority have not been published although they are very significant in terms of music and cultural history. A small fraction of Leee's work can be found in books devoted to artists including David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed and also those about the punk movement.

Leee is currently working on a photograph book tracing all his career, to be published around September 2006.

Check out Leee's official website @ leeechilders.com

ZIGGY'S LAST STAND...
3rd July 2005

July 3rd 1973: Thirty-two years ago today at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, DAVID BOWIE laid to rest his persona 'Ziggy Stardust' and retired from live performing.

When the kids had killed the man, he had to break up the band. At the time fans didn't realise it was Ziggy and not David himself announcing the now legendary statement: "Of all the shows on this tour this show will remain with us the longest because... because not only is it the last show of the tour, but it's the last show we'll ever do. Thank you."

This momentous performance was released on DVD which features remastered footage and new stereo and 5.1 mixes by Tony Visconti, as well as a commentary by Visconti and the director D.A. Pennebaker.

TO BE RIGHT IN THAT PHOTOGRAPH
2nd July 2005

Images of DAVID BOWIE, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and Boy George will all be at The Lowry for the next two months. Their images plus hundreds more will appear at an exhibition celebrating the work of portrait photographer JANE BROWN.

The exhibition focuses on Brown's celebrated rock and pop portraiture - beginning in 1963 with the Beatles - through to the present day with Manchester band Doves.

'Rock: A Retrospective of Jane Brown's Music Portraits 1963-2005' runs from Saturday 2nd July until 18th September 2005.

Address: The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ. Telephone: 0870 787 5780.

More details and information can be found at www.thelowry.com website.

LISTEN TO NEW BOWIE SONG SAMPLE
1st July 2005

BOWIENET members can listen to an exclusive 30 second sample of DAVID BOWIE's fab new song '(She Can) Do That' over on davidbowie.com.

David collaborated with BT (aka Brian Transeau). David wrote the lyrics and top line melody and recorded his part at the Looking Glass Studios in New York City, whilst BT did this thing in Los Angeles.

The track features on forthcoming official soundtrack to the movie Stealth, which is released by Sony on Tuesday 12th July.

You can pre-order the official soundtrack Stealth now. You can also now pre-order Stealth on import for UK and Europe.

BW POLL: FAVORITE BOWIE ALBUM? 2ND ROUND
1st July 2005

Which is your favourite DAVID BOWIE album? The second round of voting currently has 'Low' in poll position with 25% of the votes.

The top ten poll results so far are:

     01. Low
     02. Station To Station
     03. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars
     04. Diamond Dogs
     05. 1.Outside
     06. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
     07. Heathen
     08. Aladdin Sane
     09. Reality
     10. Earthling

As soon as the poll reaches around a thousand votes, the final and third round comes into play, which removes the lowest scoring five albums.

REGISTER YOUR VOTE HERE FOR ROUND 2

THE BOWIE ROOM
1st July 2005

Brand new indie tribute act THE BOWIE ROOM based in the Greater Manchester / Lancashire area are looking for a couple of musicians to complete their line-up.

They are on the look-out for a drummer and a guitarist, mainly to cover DAVID BOWIE, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed and Roxy Music material.

If you think you fit the bill please email

From Nick @

Last Updated: 31/7/05

DAVID BOWIE WONDERWORLD REMINDERS
THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH Special Criterion Collection DVD release 2 discs - Order NOW and 30% discount!

DAVID LIVE new release of 1974 live album on DVD Audio - released 14th Nov - Order NOW - David Live [DVD Audio]

STAGE new release of 1978 live album on DVD Audio - released 14th November - Order NOW - Stage [DVD Audio]

STEALTH official soundtrack featuring brand new song written by DAVID BOWIE and BT - released by Sony on July 12th - you can Purchase NOW and save 21% discount. You can also purchase Stealth on import for UK and Europe

DVD release of GUNSLINGER'S REVENGER (aka Il Mio West) - to be released September 6th - you can Pre-Order NOW and receive a 10% discount

New low-priced compilation CD from EMI Gold DAVID BOWIE - THE COLLECTION 2nd May - Purchase NOW

THE DICK CAVETT SHOW: ROCK ICONS DVD featuring David Bowie from December 1974 show - 3 disc set (region 1) to be released August 16th order now and save 25% discount.

THE BEATSTALKERS Stalking The Beat 1962-69 features 3 Bowie songs Silver Tree Top School For Boys, Everything Is You and When I'm Five, also features db on backing vocals and guitar - released 12th June - Purchase NOW

MOONAGE DAYDREAM The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust by Mick Rock book publication date 20th September - Order NOW at £24.76 and receive a 10% discount.

STRANGE FASCINATION revised and updated 688 page book to be published 4th August - Pre-ORDER NOW at £9.09 and receive a 30% discount.

BEAMING DAVID BOWIE new book scheduled for publication early August 2005 - you can pre-order NOW

DAVID BOWIE: THE SHIRTS HE WEARS 256-page book by Jonathan Richards scheduled for publication 30th September by Helter Skelter - Order NOW for only £14.99

DAVID BOWIE OFFICIAL 2006 WALL CALENDAR to be published September 1st 2005 by Slow Dazzle Worldwide - Pre-Order NOW Only £6.99 save 30% discount.

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