Through all of the detailed readings and the performance as Ziggy Stardust, I am still left wondering who David Bowie really is. In his own interview, I am left feeling that he has contradicted himself many times, perhaps due to his own uncertainty in who he really is as he was quoted saying “I honestly don’t know where the real David Jones is. It’s like playing the shell game. Except I’ve got so many shells I’ve forgotten what the pea looks like.” He was quoted saying disco is a dirge, and then said he loves disco. He was quoted saying he believes in himself, among other things, yet is also quoted saying he is not an original thinker and even describes his own music as plastic. In the beginning of the interview, he discusses how he “exploits”his bisexuality while later stating that he was exploited. However, these contradictions seem to make Bowie the artist he is. Above all, what came through in both Bowie’s interview and performance is a confidence bordering on arrogance (explicitly seen in the way he calls out Elton John and proudly states “I get away with murder”) and a love for the theatrics. Despite Bowie cycling through characters, in his performance it is evident that the audience connects with him, as several cried and many sang along. While Bowie himself was impossible to pin down, it should not be overlooked how he not only challenged rock culture, but the idea of sexual identity at the time.
Music and Politics in 20th c Europe (HIST 315 F19)
Sing the song of your people!
I feel like David Bowie was a very go with the flow kinda guy. I believe he knows who is but acts as if he doesn’t to help exploit his personas better. In a way I believe he kind of became his persons in someways. Like how you stated him saying that “he “exploits” his bisexuality while later stating that he was exploited.” I think he is very open with his sexuality didn’t care much about the label that came with it. Its almost like he became annoyed with people wondering if he truly was gay. Also, people were big deal about him acting in these gender fluid ways and not comping put with being gay that he sounds almost annoyed at this that he started to say he was being exploited. This is just my perception of this, but I could be completely wrong.
I like how you mentioned the contradictions. Recently I have discovered “method acting,” where an actor becomes completely immersed in their role. I could not help but to think of Bowie as the ideal manifestation of this kind of practice, except he consistently changes his identity. This kind of ambiguity is what drove the harshest of criticisms towards him, but also may be a reason why he is regarded as one of the most influential 20th century musicians. There was a quote in the reading:
“[There] always [was] a question concerning the singers relationship with his own words.”
This quote was really compelling. Bowie synthesized the intricacies of theater, the theory-crafting of immersing oneself as a new persona, and music. All of these factors combined to create a truly unique musical experience and artist. He crossed into many different arts which some may have difficulty relating to (which, maybe, Bowie wasn’t trying to create “relatable” music, rather music for music’s sake). The reading discussed Lester Bangs, a music critic, who complained about Bowie’s disconnect between character and music, but was later praised Bowie for his Young Americans (1975) work, saying he finally found an identity. But, Bowie obviously didn’t have an immediately recognizable identity.
I think Bowie intention was larger than life, but intentionally ambiguous. I am currently talking a film class, and we just finished talking about modes of stardom, and I think Bowie is more of a “performer” and a celebrity (I will gladly explain these difference in class if need). “Performers” tend to be the same people who method act, and that is because they become the character for a short period of time and then they are done. This is exactly what Bowie is doing. I am hesitant to call him arrogant or a narcissist because I truly do not know “Bowie.” I just know his characters on stage.
Also, totally do not feel bad for Elton John, he throws shade all the time. He is in feuds often. I think that is just another way to generate stardom.