A Word in Your Ear: David Bowie biographer Dr Ian Chapman
A tour taking in the suburbs from Mosgiel to Waikouaiti begins on 6th December, hosted by Dunedin Public Libraries. We caught up with Dr Chapman to find out what makes Bowie such an influential and charismatic character, generations after he first found fame.
Ed: What is it about Bowie that strikes such a chord with people do you think?
Dr C: He is a supreme champion of the outsider. Because he was so obviously alien and different he was marginalised within popular music because of his embracing of artifice and theatricality which flew in the face of the prevailing notion of 'rock authenticity’. He was also extrordinarily challenging to older generations, parents, and even older siblings due to his employment of gender fluidity in his extreme (for the day) image - esp in his Ziggy Stardust/glam rock years. Being so obviously estranged from mainstream society, and even to an extent from the medium in which he was working, drew fans to him en masse; the kind of fans who themselves felt ostracised and marginalised. He became a spokesperson, a symbol and a rallying point for anyone/everyone who felt marginalised for any one or more of innumerable reasons. David Bowie brought those on the outside inside, and made alienation sexy and cool. He’s been called a flame towards whom dysfunctional moths flew. He was also a blueprint for reinvention. The message: if you don’t like how things are - take control and change them!
Ed: What is your particular fascination with him?
Dr C: All of the above, as I was one of those kids. I discovered Bowie in 1973 at a time in my own life when I was suffering extreme bullying having started at an all boys high school that was notorious for it, parental illness and absence (my mum was in hospital for months on end and not expected to recover from her cancer, and my dad took on a new job that required him to be absent much of the time). Basically I thought life sucked. After a very happy first 12 years the rug had been pulled out from under me. Bowie’s message - and true too for the wider glam rock style - was: if what life had handed you was crap, you could reinvent yourself in a better image; try on new looks, personas, and find a skin in which you felt more comfortable. I invented my own fantasy life within that served me very well through my teens; and one that I would eventually, many decades later, pull out from the closet, dress up and put on the stage: Dr Glam.
Ed: Of all his works, are you able to single out one that really speaks to you?
Dr C: ‘Changes’, from the 1971 Hunky Dory album. The lyrics beautifully embrace the notion of malleability of personality; of the irrationality of a single, fixed personality that one must retain throughout one’s life.
Ed: When you play Bowie songs for this tour, you’ll be adding your own style to them – can you tell us more about this?
Dr C: We’ve remained pretty true to Bowie’s original recordings rather than messing with arrangements etc in an effort to stick to his intentions when they were released. But, with that said, because we have stripped the songs back to basics in terms of instrumentation - being a three piece band - the wonderful songwriting skills that Bowie possessed are laid bare, which is kinda wonderful. While I’m not suggesting that Bowie’s image, theatricality etc should ever be taken out of the equation when considering his overall performative package, to hear these songs recreated sparsely, and completely respectfully, gives a rare and unadorned insight to how good they are.
Ed: Without giving too much away, what can people expect to see on your Bowie tour?
Dr C: They will see three Bowie fans paying tribute to one of rock music’s prime innovators and superstars. The combination of hearing many of his finest songs in conjunction with the anaytical talk that I will give - drawn from my research and unpacking aspects of Bowie’s methodolgy and raison detre - will offer a listening/thinking experience that will both entertain and inform.
Ed: Thank you, Ian. I can’t wait to see that passion for the man and the music during these performances.
The Musical Life of David Bowie – a library tour
Professor of Music, Dr Ian Chapman, explores the huge social and musical influence of this iconic 70’s rock star. The talk includes performances of Bowie’s works throughout his incredible career.
Wednesday 6th December, 7pm: South Dunedin Community Pop-up, 199 Hillside Road
Thursday 7th December, 12 noon: Downes Room, Mosgiel Library
Thursday 7th December, 6pm: Dunningham Suite, Dunedin City Library, Moray Place
Friday 8th December, 7pm: Waikouaiti Events Centre
Saturday 9th December, 11am: Blueskin Bay Library
FREE