BruceM Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 It was late 1977. I was a senior at UIUC, and I had moved into this large, 11 bedroom house on California Street in Urbana. My bedroom, which I shared with Craig, was on the 2nd floor, next to the stairway that went upstairs to Cathy Machalinski’s room. The entire group of housemates had migrated to this house from a co-ed dorm floor from Garner Hall. It was an adventure, to say the least.Cathy and I became even better friends and developed a late evening routine of pot, music and backgammon. I’d head up to her room and we’d put on records and roll the die and giggle a lot. It was here that I learned the purpose of a doubling cube.Cathy’s room was also where I developed my life-long fascination with David Bowie. Sure, I was already a fan. Who wasn’t? Ziggy Stardust and Diamond Dogs could be heard blasting from many a dorm room in the preceding years. Bowie was already legendary and I had a few of his albums, as did almost everyone I hung out with.Cathy had Low, however, and it went into heavy rotation during our backgammon sessions. “Lately, I’ve been, breaking glass, in your room again….You’re such a wonderful person, but you’ve got problems.” I was hooked.Late in the semester, Heroes showed up. Mind: officially blown. Side 1 of this record got played over and over and over. And then, the fascination with side 2 began. V-2 Schneider and The Secret Life of Arabia are two of my all-time favorite Bowie songs. This album continues to fascinate me, even though it’s not even my favorite of his from that time frame.Lodger showed up next, after I had graduated. It took awhile to sink in for me, but I must say, over the years, this one became my favorite. I wish I knew why. There’s not really a true standout, iconic Bowie song on it, but taken together… Perhaps it’s the Belew influence, but I’m sure it’s still more of Carlos Alomar. I don’t know.Those three “Berlin” albums, Low, Heroes and Lodger, along with Scary Monsters, will always remain my favorites of his.And I blame Cathy for this. The last time I saw her, on one of my final days of college life, she was fleeing through her fire escape door and down the three flights of fire stairs after another friend, who shall remain nameless, began uttering the phrase “3 way? 3 way? 3 way?,” and then, angrily, to me, “Oh, you want her all to yourself!!!!,” while in a drug-induced stupor.Bye Cathy. Thanks for the Bowie obsession. I wish I could toss that doubling cube at you one more time.
princeofdarkness56 Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Saw the Diamond Dog Tour in June of 74. Bummed no Ronson but Earl Slick on guitar was very good. Last days of his glam period. My particular favorite Bowie period. Wham Bam Thank You Ma'm.
whiskeyzulu Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Very sad, I fondly remember listening to Honky Dory for hours on end on my Denon turntable - Bowie was a great and talented musician, RIP
DBraz Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 So very sad. Station to Station is one of my all time fav albums. Bowie was a musical icon and quintessentially English no matter where you took him. Gutted.
Bloozguy Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 No words...Spinning the 1974 Live at the Tower Philadelphia over and over.R.I.P.
murkat Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 There has been a few that have past on recently, all notable.But this one just really sucks.I can right a lot in regards of, reminiscing, but, I am just lost with words at the moment.My mind, on all its own, rewinding the playlist catalogand fond memories in my life time that include Bowie and His music.
Pieman Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 I flipped on the kitchen radio this morning still tuned to the sports station from one of the weekend's NFL games. I heard one of the moronic sports jocks say something like this: "I mean, who was this guy? He met his wife because she was sleeping with a guy that he was sleeping with...." That was not how I would have eulogized Bowie. Talk about changes.
HSB0531 Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 What the fuck, and holy shit. Blindsided. THIS ^^^^^^^
Sentinel Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Listen to the first song on his "The man who sold the world" album -"The width of a circle" - and just headbang along.What a starter track - eight minutes of hard rock!Extremely before its time, just rocking crazy!!He was a true starman.
Montelovesco Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Don't know what to say. Fits to/with? this day.
burningyen Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Gutted here as well. My band played Starman at our show this past Friday. I gave a happy birthday shout-out to Bowie and mentioned his incredible new album. Then today happened. But mixed in with the grief, I'm also in even greater awe than ever of Bowie's creative will. Imagine, while he was struggling through devastating cancer treatments he managed to record a kickass, boundary-pushing album and even used his own death as a creative opportunity, as material for his art, and as a performance in itself. What a giant.
Hamerica Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Gutted here as well. My band played Starman at our show this past Friday. I gave a happy birthday shout-out to Bowie and mentioned his incredible new album. Then today happened. But mixed in with the grief, I'm also in even greater awe than ever of Bowie's creative will. Imagine, while he was struggling through devastating cancer treatments he managed to record a kickass, boundary-pushing album and even used his own death as a creative opportunity, as material for his art, and as a performance in itself. What a giant.There are some good articles about David's last release and his Video "Lazarus" which I do suspect was his chance to say "good-bye" to his fan base. I watched the video for the first time after reading one of the commentary's. Upon reflection it is an emotional well thought out play. Never thought of Bowie as a private person. Master of Promotion and his ability to change styles seemed effortless. Bowie's work was and is strong to the very last. What an incredible artist and talent. Rest in Peace David and thank you for the music.Hamerica
tbonesullivan Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 They said on WCBSFM NY this morning that their #1 requested song out of all the bowie songs was Under Pressure. This furthers my belief that Under Pressure is the greatest rock artist collaboration of all time.Such a loss. I hope he was at peace in the end. 18 months of cancer had to suck.
tbonesullivan Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 They said on WCBSFM NY this morning that their #1 requested song out of all the bowie songs was Under Pressure. I miss NYC radio; 102.7FM WNEW, the most.How long has it been since you were around here? All the stations keep changing their dang formats. WNEW is not what it was when I was younger.
LucSulla Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 This was floating around Facebook today. I thought it was a beautiful sentiment. Credit to Erin Humiston - FB link: https://www.facebook.com/redpencilentertainment/
Disturber Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 I can't even listen to his music right now. Haven't heard the new album. This has to settle first. Can't accept it.
it's me HHB Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 I actually meet him very briefly in NYC, cool guy
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.