JULY 1998 - DAVID BOWIE NEWS
BOWIE JOINS GLAM RACKET
31st July 1998
DAVID BOWIE has revealed that he is making his own '70s glam rock film. Dismissing the forthcoming Velvet Goldmine as "a trailer" for his film, Bowie has also revealed that he will rework some of his unreleased 'Ziggy Stardust'-era material for the project.
Bowie says he's been working on the idea for the last two years and said that's why he refused to allow any of his music to be used in Todd Haynes' film which is due to open in the UK on October 23.
"My feeling about it was that it was based fairly substantially on Ziggy Stardust and as I intend to do my own version of that I'd rather not work with a competitive film," Bowie told Radio 1 last week.
"What I've done is complemented the original Ziggy Stardust soundtrack," he continued.
"It's quite exciting in a way because what I've found are bits and pieces of songs that I obviously had written for the project (the original 'Ziggy Stardust' album) but had never finished off. It's almost as though I'll be complementing what's already there with other pieces that were started but not actually finished at the time.
So they have an authenticity of the period about them in the style that they're written in but they'll be sort of finished off today. For me I think it will be an extraordinary thing to see what kind of animal it becomes eventually."
Jonathan Rutter, who's handling press on the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack, said that the director Todd Haynes would not want to be drawn into a battle over Bowie's comments.
"It would start sounding like a fight which is not the case at all. Originally the director wanted Bowie's cooperation in the film. They sent him a script and some of Todd's previous films. Bowie wrote back saying he was very talented and wished Todd well but that they couldn't have any songs because he had his own project."
New Musical Express
25th July 1998
Happy Birthday Iman... Have a wonderful day!
Best wishes from Paul - (Little Wonderworld)
BOWIE FAN DATABASE - UPDATE
23rd July 1998
BowieArt.com has now also officially linked with the BowieFan DataBase. If you would like to receive personal information from BowieArt.com please send an email request.
If you have not received any personal official information via your mailing box concerning BowieNet from Little Wonderworld then you aren't on the database list. To get yourself listed click button.
If you would like to subscribe to Bonnie Powell's David Bowie newsletter for the Lazy And Web-IMpaired send her an email request.
DB REVEALS ZIGGY STARDUST MOVIE PLAN
23rd July 1998
DAVID appeared live for an interview on Radio One today. He is set to go glam all over again and make a feature film based on his 1970s creation ZIGGY STARDUST. He told Radio One's The Net he is re-working material he wrote at the time but never finished for a double soundtrack album.
Bowie, who's worked on the film project for two years, said: "Hopefully it'll see the light of day before too long."
He said glam rock film Velvet Goldmine, widely held to be based on Bowie himself, could act as a "trailer".
The Return Of Ziggy Stardust!
The Net has exclusively revealed that David Bowie is working on making one of the all time great albums of the 20th century into a full scale motion picture. Speaking to The Net from his studio in Bermuda, Bowie revealed his plans for 'Ziggy Stardust' - the movie! It would seem Bowie refused to get involved in the imminent 'Velvet Goldmine' film starring Ewan McGregor for a very distinct reason: "My feeling about it is that it was based fairly substantially on 'Ziggy Stardust' and as I intend doing my own version of it, I'd rather not work with a competitive film. It's been a project that I've worked on for the last two years and hopefully it'll see the light of day before too long." Bowie refused to say if the film would feature a cast of big names: "I'm not saying a thing - let's have 'Velvet Goldmine' come out as a trailer!"
New Ziggy Stardust Material
Bowie had some very exciting news for his fans, when The Net asked him about the soundtrack for the 'Ziggy Stardust' film: "What I've done is complemented the original soundtrack. It's quite exciting in a way, because what I've found is bits and pieces of songs that I obviously had written for the project but never finished off. It's as if I'll be complementing what's already there with other pieces that were started but not actually finished at the time, so they have an authenticity of the period about them. For me, I think it'll be an extraordinary thing to see what kind of animal it becomes eventually!"
He added "it look as though it's going to have to be" a double album. In terms of the original material he is working with: "It's just a question of finishing off what might be a 90 second or a 2 minute piece, taking it obviously the way it wanted to go and finishing it off and keeping the sound of the material in the period." He wouldn't be drawn on a release date!
BowieNet
In a month's time David Bowie will become the first artist to provide a high speed internet service - 'Bowienet' will be available as of September 1st in North America and world-wide by the end of the year. He told The Net how he has become heavily involved with the project: "About a year ago when the web sites on myself began building up and it got to the point where there were over 130 sites, I thought it might be a good idea to gather everybody together in such a way that everybody could almost communicate with each other, and I thought the best way was to have an artist created internet service. I think the advantage of having something like this is to have people with the same interests virtually share their own ISP."
Bowie sees this venture as more than just exploiting his name to make money: "We're putting up an extraordinary amount of archive material, there's going to be an awful amount of on-line software, chat rooms, news groups, and access to hundreds and hundreds of live performances. It really is going to be quite a thing!"
Sent from BONNIE POWELL
BOWIENET OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
21st July 1998
TO THE PUBLIC VIA BOWIENET
DAVID BOWIE confirmed rumors of the last several weeks that, beginning September 1, he will launch BowieNet. Located at www.davidbowie.com BowieNet will be the first artist-created Internet Service Provider. The official announcement of the launch was to coincide with the release of EMI Records compilation "The Best Of David Bowie 1974/1979" on August 23. However, the CD, which contains details of the on-line service, was prematurely released by EMI-Canada two weeks ago. This led Canadian fans to search for the service. In response, a "pre-launch" site was posted on the www.davidbowie.com home page.
BowieNet will offer high-speed Internet service across North America and, by year end, throughout the world. In addition to full uncensored access to the Internet as well as traditional content (news, sports, finance etc.), davidbowie.com will provide a community of music lovers the best access to music and entertainment content on the Web as well as exclusive content available only through this service.
BowieNet will offer users a fully customizable home page, davidbowie.com e-mail address (your.name@davidbowie.com), news groups, chat rooms, online shareware, multi-player gaming, and much much more with local access from over 2,000 cities in north America. For Bowie and music fans in general, there will be previously unreleased audio tracks, videos and photos. Thousands of album reviews, concert reviews and music articles along with a wide assortment of content updated daily. BowieNet promises numerous cybercasts (both live and archived) from Bowie as well as other artists.
Each user will be given 5 MB of space and encouraged to create their own web pages. BowieNet will host these pages at no additional charge and ensure their placement on the World Wide Web, giving access to all users of the Internet. The BowieNet will support both Microsoft and Netscape browsers. All users will be given the latest version of Internet Explorer, customized specifically for davidbowie.com.
Users wishing to utilize davidbowie.com as their Internet service provider will pay a fee of $19.95/month. For a limited time the first month's fee will be waived. For those users wishing to remain with their current provider, access to davidbowie.com can be obtained for a monthly fee of $5.95.
Music fans choosing full internet service will receive a CD-Rom containing the customized browser along with two classic live Bowie audio and video tracks never before released to the public. As a special bonus, there will be an exclusive encrypted newly recorded audio track which will unlock via the Internet.
"I wanted to create an environment where not just my fans but all music lovers could be a part of the same community," Bowie stated, "a single place where the vast archives of music information could be accessed, views stated and ideas exchanged." Bowie continued, "Our biggest challenge was to assemble unique proprietary content along with first-rate content suppliers and unparalleled Internet service from tech support to billing. After nine months of work, I believe we have achieved just that."To that end, UltraStar Internet Services was created. (UltraStar details below.) Due to the early announcement of BowieNet, UltraStar has set up a hotline number 800-587-STAR (7827) for fans to sign up for Internet service and reserve e-mail addresses. No accounts will be charged until members have received their CD-Roms and the network is officially launched 12:01 A.M. Tuesday September 1.
David Bowie is no newcomer to the Internet. As early as 1983, Bowie tours carried portable computers and handled all communications by e-mail. Bowie was one of the first artists to cybercast a live show over the Web. He has hosted a number of online chats and was the first major artist to post a new song freely downloadable to the public. That song "Telling Lies" had 375,000 downloads in the first two months. Bowie also created and designed bowieart.com, an Internet commerce site featuring prints of artwork by Bowie and others for direct sale the public.
BowieNet will be powered by Concentric Network Corporation As the leader in high performance secure virtual private network services, Concentric will handle all billing and offers 24 hour - 7 days a week customer support. Concentric will supply all dial-up locations in North America and provide availability in 47 countries by the end of 1998. They will also provide web hosting and connections up to T1 speeds. Concentric services some of the world's largest networks including WebTV and Intuit's Quicken Financial Network.
General content will be the most extensive on the Internet. Content will range from the most often requested - news, financial, sports and weather to the most personal including horoscopes, lottery numbers and local TV and movie listings. BowieNet will also provide users with the ability to customize their own home page so each user can quickly get just the information they want.
Design will be overseen by Bowie personally in conjunction with Nettmedia Nettmedia is a new-media development company that specializes in web and enhanced CD design and production for the entertainment industry. Founded in 1995, Nettmedia has grown steadily and has an impressive list of clients including Sarah McLachlan, BMG Entertainment, Lilith Fair, the Wu Tang Clan, EMI Music Canada, The Backstreet Boys, Nettwerk Records, the Barenaked Ladies, and many Exclusive and non-exclusive music content will be supplied from a number of the best sources available. Among these is the Rolling Stone Network. Their vast database along with recently acquired tunes.com as well video-on-demand and their extensive Internet radio network will bring BowieNet users the latest music technology on the Internet.
Long-time Bowie web host N2K's Music Boulevard Network will supply large amounts of music and entertainment content as well as transactional capabilities. N2K Inc. is a leading online music entertainment company and one of the Internet's complete resources for music content, community and commerce. The Music Boulevard Network, the company's online division combines Music Boulevard, the online music superstore and the award-winning music channels: Rocktropolis.com, JazzCentralStation.com and ClassicalInsites.com.
UltraStar is a management technology partnership that specializes in the arena of Internet services, bringing major entertainment, sports and fashion clients to the world in a community-based forum delivered over the Web. UltraStar's philosophy is to allow users a personal experience with their favorite personalities via the Internet. Never before has there been a gateway where the private and public worlds of famous figures has been opened with the continued support, input and materials of each star.
UltraStar Principals:
WILLIAM ZYSBLAT is co-founder of RZO, a company involved in business management and tour production in music and the performing arts. RZO is one of the preeminent firms in its field, representing artists such as the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, David Byrne, Soul Asylum, the Gershwin estates, etc. RZO also promotes tours for groups such as U2. RZO is also a leader in the area of entertainment financing, having been responsible for the recent so-called "Bowie Bonds" involving $55 million in debt financing securitized by the future flow of royalty income from Bowie songs and masters, a first in the entertainment field.
ROBERT GOODALE is an executive producer in music and interactivity, including interactive events and Internet sites for the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and The Cure. Firsts associated with these artists and their Web sites have included the debut sale by a major artist of audio material only over the Internet (5,000 numbered CDs with The Cure); the first artist to make available a single solely over the Internet (David Bowie with over 375,000 downloads in Dec. 96/Jan. 97); the world's first live rock n roll concert on the Internet (the Rolling Stones November 1994); executive produced four of rock's top five most trafficked Webcasts in Internet history. Executive produced David Bowie's CD-ROM ("JUMP"). Executive vice president of Bowie's management company for six years. Executive producer of various films.
RON ROY has 15 years of computer/multimedia/Internet experience. Ron has worked with a variety of computer technologies throughout his career including help produce and market some of the industry's first truly interactive CD-ROM's - using full-motion video and stereo quality audio - in areas that included sports (Big East Basketball, Reebok International) and training (one of the first interactive CD-ROM's for Windows 95, which eventually was redesigned to work over the Internet). In the area of Internet/music, Roy is currently the Project Manager for The Cure's official Web site (www.thecure.com), which holds the distinction of both being a rock Web site where all site design features are produced by the band itself and holds three of the top five all-time listened to Webcasts. Roy was also instrumental in bringing the first Internet-only CD release, Five Swing Live by The Cure, to market.
WORLDS INC. 3D PRESS RELEASE
21st July 1998
02:54 p.m Jul 21, 1998 Eastern
Worlds Also To Operate Exclusive David Bowie 3D Internet Merchandise Store
Worlds Inc. announced today that it had signed an Agreement with UltraStar Internet Services LLC, (OTC BB: UFAC) the company launching David Bowie's "BowieNet," the first artist-created Internet Service Provider, to have Worlds 3D Internet software and content utilized on the network.
Worlds 3DCD(tm) Internet software and content permits animation and motion on the Internet, including a user's ability to experience moving into and out of various spaces via the selection of an avatar (one's alter ego character).
In addition, the Agreement grants to Worlds the right to operate the exclusive 3D Internet site for UltraStar's "BowieNet," including the only 3D Internet merchandise store, and the non-exclusive right to operate the traditional 2D, HTML store.
The Worlds 3D space for "BowieNet" is expected to allow users to select an avatar, go online and meet other users, chat, and participate in other online activities, all in a 3D world.
Thom Kidrin, President and CEO of Worlds said, "This Agreement with UltraStar involving Worlds as part of the David Bowie 'BowieNet' project, provides Worlds with an ideal environment for the distribution of our 3D Internet technology and music oriented content to a targeted audience. Our ability to create a community of shared interests around David Bowie and music fans in general presents Worlds with an opportunity to showcase our technology and the content we have created using this technology."
Mr. Kidrin concluded by noting that, "David Bowie has been and continues to be a superstar. It is, in my opinion, highly fitting and appropriate that Worlds 3D Internet technology and music oriented content has been selected to be part of the BowieNet project."
About Worlds Inc.
Worlds recently announced that it would, subject to a number of conditions, including shareholder approval of both companies, merge into Unity, First Acquisition Corp. (OTC:BB UFAC-4 7/8), a publicly traded "blank check" company, with the Worlds Inc. name being retained for the merged company which will carry on the business of Worlds. The merger, if consummated, calls for each share of Worlds being exchanged for .357 share of UFAC. Worlds current shareholders will retain ownership of in excess of 75% of the merged company.
Worlds Inc. is developing music-oriented content applications for its proprietary 3D Internet technology for consumer markets, as well as developing select business oriented applications. Worlds Inc. obtained new financing and management in late 1997. On June 18, 1998, Worlds previously announced that it signed an agreement with Universal/Hundai LLC ("Universal") for the creation of a 3D Internet web site as part of Universal's "animalhouse.com" Internet site project. As part of the launch of "animalhouse.com," Universal plans to distribute approximately 1,000,000 enhanced audio CDs which contain compilation recordings of various Universal Music Group affiliated label artists, in addition to a custom 3D Internet site that Worlds is presently creating and will operate. The CDs are expected to be distributed on select college campuses, through select bookstores and elsewhere.
Forward-looking statements. The information herein contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results, performance, and achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the competitive environment, inflation, changes in costs of goods and services, economic conditions in general and in the company's business, demographic changes, changes in the availability of and terms of financing to fund the anticipated growth of the company's business, the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, changes in the company's capital expenditure plans, and other factors referenced herein and in the company's filings with the SEC. In addition, such forward-looking statements are necessarily dependent upon assumptions, estimates and dates that may be incorrect or imprecise and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Accordingly, any forward-looking statements included herein do not purport to be predictions of future events of circumstances and may not be realized. Forward-looking statements can by identified, by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "anticipates," "intends" or the negative of any thereof, or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy or intentions. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.
Copyright 1998, Business Wire
NEW PRINT FOR THE BOWIENET LAUNCH
18th July 1998
BowieNet is going to be launched in August and for around $19 dollars a month. Bowie fans will have dial up access to BowieNet. To celebrate the opening we are offering a rare co-signed print. We will be telling you more in the next few weeks! See you soon
KATE CHERTAVIAN - BOWIEART.COM
TWIN PEAKS ON UK TV
17th July 1998
UK and Irish fans wanting to see DAVID BOWIE in TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME have their chance next Sunday at 11.45 PM when the BBC2 are broadcasting the film, about which the British TV Guide says "David Bowie appears and says nothing. Many others appear and probably wish they had said nothing".
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
16th July 1998
Concentric Network Partners With UltraStar Internet Services, Secures Rock Legend David Bowie as VPN Customer
Concentric Extends Virtual Private Network Service Offering to Entertainment Industry, and Becomes Exclusive Network Provider for Bowie's On-Line Presence
Concentric Network Corp a leader in value-added IP network services, today announced it has partnered with UltraStar Internet Services LLC to provide network services for BowieNet the new on-line venture by rock star David Bowie. Concentric will combine its CustomLink VPN service with hosting and e-commerce capabilities to power BowieNet. UltraStar announced the on-line service separately today.
When the site is up and running later this summer, BowieNet will be accessible by music fans through the Concentric Network, one of the largest service providers in the country. A special Concentric Internet access offer, along with sign-up software and plug-ins, will be included on several of Bowie's greatest hits CD's being released throughout 1998 and 1999. Concentric will also provide 24x7 customer support.
"Concentric Network has been leading the VPN services arena, and we're excited to partner with a company that is blazing new ground and with a rock legend that is leading the entertainment industry in the use of Internet technology," said Henry R. Nothhaft, chairman, president and CEO of Concentric Network.
"The VPN service model is now moving from the business-world to the entertainment and music industries, and our flexible product offerings are ready to meet the needs of these new audiences."
UltraStar is a management technology partnership that specializes in the arena of Internet services, bringing major entertainment, sports and fashion clients to the world in a community-based forum delivered over the Web.
Ron Roy co-founder of UltraStar, said: "UltraStar selected Concentric as the exclusive technology partner for BowieNet because of their ability to deliver end-to-end services. Specifically, their high-performance network, customized software, and hosting and video streaming capabilities can meet the demanding needs of David Bowie's on-line efforts. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Concentric."
For BowieNet sign-up information, please call 800-587-7827.
About Concentric Network Corporation
A leader in IP network innovation, Concentric Network Corporation provides wide area intranets and extranets for the enterprise. These high performance, secure, cost-effective and reliable IP-based Virtual Private Network services connect enterprises with their remote sites, mobile users, business partners and customers. For the consumer market, Concentric Network offers a complete line of connectivity and hosting products. The Concentric network architecture is based on "super" points of presence (SuperPOPs), an advanced ATM backbone, and distributed data centers which enable high functionality, low/fixed latency, high throughput and superior reliability to support a wide range of applications. Traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "CNCX," Concentric Network is headquartered in Cupertino, California. For more information, access the company's Web site at Concentric Network
NOTE: Concentric Network Corporation and the Concentric logo are trademarks of Concentric Network Corporation. Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
BILLBOARD ON-LINE
16th July 1998
Edited by JULIE TARASKA - Billboard On-Line
BOWIE TO START INTERNET PROVIDER SERVICE
David Bowie is creating his own online service provider. To launch Sept. 1, BowieNet will include high-speed Internet service across North America (and the world, by year's end), uncensored access to the Web, and traditional news and information content. The service, located at www.davidbowie.com will also offer users fully customizable home pages, davidbowie.com E-mail addresses, news groups, chat rooms, shareware, Web-page-building software, and multi-player gaming. The site will work its music angle by including previously unreleased audio tracks, videos, and photos of Bowie and other artists; it will also provide album reviews, concert reviews, music articles, and cybercasts.
BowieNet will be available for $19.95, with the first month's fee waived for a limited time. For those wishing to remain with their current provider, access to BowieNet will be obtainable for $5.95/month. Those opting for full service will receive a CD-ROM containing the customized browser with two never-before-released Bowie audio and video tracks, as well as the code to a new Bowie track encrypted on the Internet.
The announcement of BowieNet was to coincide with the Aug. 23 release of the EMI compilation "The Best Of David Bowie 1974/1979." However, the CD, which contains details of the online service, was prematurely released by EMI-Canada two weeks ago.
ST. VINCENT PAYS HOMAGE TO DAVID
16th July 1998
St. Vincent has honoured DAVID by issuing a $2 dollar postage stamp. The stamp is part of a series issued to honour rock stars which also included Madonna, Michael Jackson and George Michael.
MTV BOWIE NOMINATED
15th July 1998
'I'm Afraid Of Americans' has been nominated in the MTV Male Video Awards. The nominations are:
MALE VIDEO:
David Bowie featuring Trent Reznor: "I'm Afraid of Americans (NIN Remix)"Thanks BONNIE
Busta Rhymes: "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See"
Eric Clapton: "My Father's Eyes"
Brian McKnight: "Anytime"
Will Smith,: "Just the Two of Us."
NEW BOWIE ARTWORK
12th July 1998
Three more art pieces by DB are now available for purchase at BowieArt
DHEAD XLVI and DHEAD LX both 1997 Acrylic and Computer Collage on Canvas. Along with the stunning EYE ON GREEN 1997 Cybachrome Print, in an edition of five.
HUTCHENCE TRIBUTE SHOW FOR BOWIE?
12th July 1998
Australia - Melbourne newspapers are reporting the following:
Beat Magazine - 8th July
"INXS plan a massive tribute to Michael Hutchence, probably at Madison Square Gardens in NY, and will ask friends U2, Nick Cave, David Bowie, Elton John, Tom Jones and Aretha Franklin to sing their fave INXS ditty."
The Age - 5th July
...Tim Farris also confirmed that they were planning to organise a massive tribute concert in Britain or the US for Hutchence that they HOPE would feature the likes of U2, David Bowie, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Nick Cave, Iggy Pop, Tom Jones with each singing a favourite INXS song. A separate concert, featuring some of Australia's biggest rock stars, was likely to be staged in Australia. Proceeds from the shows, to be held later this year or early next, would be pledged to Tiger Lily, Hutchence's 23-month-old daughter by Paula Yates.
From Adam
JOHN LENNON TRIBUTE ALBUM
11th July 1998
DAVID BOWIE has contributed a track towards a planned JOHN LENNON tribute album to be released by Capitol Records. Up to now David Bowie ("Mother"), Sinead O'Connor ("Mind Games"), Paula Cole ("Working Class Hero") and Everclear ("Instant Karma") have been included, with other artists still at the negotiation table. Proceeds from the album will be donated to the AIDS/HIV-related charity AmFAR.
BOWIE GUEST SITE - OFFICIAL STATEMENT
11th July 1998
The DAVID BOWIE guest site is going through a major overhaul - and will be re-launched on the same date as BowieNet in August. To hold you over - visit the old Bowie site here David Bowie Guest Site
Thank you and we hope you will enjoy all the new changes!
ISOLAR/ULTRASTAR
PC WORLD NETWORK
10th July 1998
David Bowie to Launch ISP - by Nancy Weil, IDG News Service
Rock star David Bowie, who has used the Internet to hawk his lithographs and to offer a previously unreleased song, is poised to launch a new aspect of his career - Internet service provider.
BowieNet is expected to go online in late August or early September in North America for unlimited access costing $19.95 (USD) monthly. For fans, it probably doesn't get any cooler than that.
NETTMEDIA, a New York-based web developer, hasn't formally released news about BowieNet, but the word spread when davidbowie.com was transformed into an advertisement for the Internet service.
"It has been my wish to integrate the power of the Internet and bring it down to a very personal level," Bowie said in a written statement on the Web site. "With the creation of BowieNet, you can join me in an online, community-based environment for all music fans where you can experience the Internet as never before."
Bowie contacted Nettmedia to handle the Web site development after seeing the company's site for the Lilith Fair, a North American tour that promotes female rock and folk musicians.
The British rocker contacted Lane Dunlop, president of Nettmedia, to get the service under way. Dunlop wasn't previously a Bowie fan, but he has gotten a crash course on the 51-year-old rocker's innovative career, which has spanned 30 years.
"I've gotten calls from people I haven't talked to in years," Dunlop said of the response to Nettmedia's role in the BowieNet. "I think my mom is even excited about it."
Bowie is taking an active role in the venture. "He's on the ball. He's got a lot of ideas," Dunlop said. "He's been great to work with."
The service will feature original content with a heavy focus on music. "It's not just about David Bowie," Dunlop said. "It's about the music." Unreleased tunes will be available to subscribers. And the musician once known as the "Thin White Duke" also plans to set up what might appropriately be called the "Bowiecam" - cameras in the studio - so that subscribers can watch him at work over the Internet. Bowie, whose artwork and writings have earned praise in recent years, will participate in chats with subscribers.
Concentric Network, in Cupertino, California, will be the backbone provider. The service initially will be offered only in the U.S. and Canada. And there's no word on whether or not Bowie's wife, Somali model Iman, will participate in chats. "Maybe we'll have to develop a site for her, too," Dunlop said.
For those who want to keep tabs on the development of BowieNet, the URL is davidbowie.com/. Going to "bowienet" will get you to Bill Bowie's Harness Racing Home Page. "A lot of people have wound up accidentally there in the last few days," Dunlop said, "so I bet their hits have gone up considerably."
TIN MACHINE OUT-TAKE
9th July 1998
New information on an old TIN MACHINE out-take has come to light the 1994 compilation CD, BEYOND THE BEACH, contains a Tin Machine track entitled NEEDLES ON THE BEACH
Quote: Reeves Gabrels:
"It's a track we recorded live in the studio in Sydney, Australia, during the Tin Machine II sessions. The title came as an reference to surf music combined with the fact that we kept finding used needles on the beaches. Simple explanation really. Plus, two of the chord changes come from Hendrix's "Third Stone From The Sun" where he says "we'll never have to listen to surf music again". That was my idea."
From ANDREW STEWART
SUBTERRANEANS
9th July 1998
DAVID PRIEST'S web site SUBTERRANEANS is now back on-line. New items include Arnold Corns, Ziggy at Aylesbury in 72, more information on the BBC Sessions and Bowie items for sale page. There will be lots of 'new' archive features appearing over the next few weeks including details of many unreleased recordings from 1968-1976.
MORE BOWIE DIARIES FOUND
9th July 1998
The majority of the missing MIRABELLE diary entries from 1973 written by DB have now been rediscovered. David wrote the column for the girls magazine from May 1973 through till April 1975.
A huge thank you to JOHN HARRISON and STEVE LOWE who helped me fill in some of the missing dates to nearly complete this section. It will be published on-line over the weekend.
If by the remotest chance there is anybody out there who happens to have any of the few missing remaining entries please contact me.
GRAN TURISMO SOUNDTRACK - Update
9th July 1998
THE SOUND OF GRAN TURISMO soundtrack out now on EMI features 'Scary Monsters' by DAVID BOWIE, Garbage, Ash, Blur, Supergrass, Placebo, Mansun, Feeder, The Dandy Warhols, Terrorvision, Bentley Rhythm Ace, Cubanate and many more.
Gran Turismo has been hailed as 'the greatest driving video game ever' and it has a soundtrack to match. An album of racing tunes to complete the ultimate driving experience! - Out now.
UNCUT MAGAZINE
3rd July 1998
The AUGUST issue of UNCUT magazine will feature an article entitled: Spaced Invader: Nic Roeg On David Bowie.
A MOONAGE DAYDREAM
3rd July 1998
DAVID BOWIE Tribute band A MOONAGE DAYDREAM are playing live at The Tudor Barn, Eltham, London on August 27th.
LAWSUIT AGAINST BOWIE THROWN OUT
3rd July 1998
ALBANY, NEW YORK (AP) - DAVID BOWIE must like these changes: The state's top court has refused to revive a record company's $65 million lawsuit against the rock star.
Without comment, state Court of Appeals refused Savage Records Group's request to reinstate its lawsuit, which claimed Bowie conspired with record distributor BMG to harm Savage.
"This drives a stake through the heart of this ridiculous case," Bowie lawyer Paul LiCalsi said after the court ruled Wednesday.
Savage contended it lost more than $1 million on Bowie's 1993 "Black Tie White Noise" album and had a contract to pay Bowie $3.4 million for three albums. LiCalsi said lawyers for Bowie had negotiated a termination of that contract after the album didn't sell well in the United States. But Savage, which subsequently filed for bankruptcy protection, sued Bowie and BMG alleging conspiracy and fraud.
Savage still has a pending case against BMG, LiCalsi said. A lawyer for Savage did not return telephone messages seeking comment Wednesday.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MORRISSEY ALBUM
1st July 1998
MORRISSEY has an album of rarities, b-sides and unreleased material due out in September. Entitled 'My Early Burglary Years' it contains the previously unreleased live track COSMIC DANCER. Could it be the duet version that DAVID perform with him in LA?
EXCLUSIVE UPDATE
1st July 1998
"So what's happened to the original David Bowie Site then?..."
There will be a NEW public access DAVID BOWIE web site on-line once BowieNet is officially launched. The all new official public access site will have the same "look and feel" as the BowieNet server. The new db web site may be situated at the original address.
Watch this space! See above
GOLDEN YEARS COVER VERSION
1st July 1998
MARILYN MANSON has recorded a version of GOLDEN YEARS for the DEAD MAN ON CAMPUS movie soundtrack due out in September.