What do you think?
Rate this book
Psychedelic Suburbia: David Bowie and the Beckenham Arts Lab
David Bowie was 22 years old and still living with his parents in southeast London when, quite by chance, he met Mary Finnigan while visiting her upstairs neighbours in nearby Beckenham. Still an unrecognised talent haunting the London folk clubs, desperately seeking paid gigs, he couldn’t even dream of a future as a global rock phenomenon. Life started to take interesting turns after he moved in with Mary and her two children in the spring of 1969. With a small group of psychedelic pioneers, they launched the Beckenham Arts Lab in a local pub and organized a free music festival in the town’s park. That summer his first hit, Space Oddity, made it into the charts and became the theme song for the first moon landing. He was finally on a trajectory towards superstardom. Millions of words have been written about Bowie’s life, but his early days as a struggling songwriter and performer have been shrouded in hearsay. Here is the full story of his pivotal year in Beckenham, written by his friend, lover and landlady, one of the first people to encourage and support him. For this expanded first edition, the author has added an epilogue on the aftermath of Bowie’s death two days after the book was first published. New images include two previously unpublished photos of his Beckenham days.
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2016
7 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 6, 2025
Interesting easy read into the early days of David Bowie as a folk hippy in London.
October 20, 2016
Psychedelc Suburbia
It was unfortunate that this book was published on David Bowie’s 69th birthday and 2 days before he died as it could be seen by some as a quick cash-in.
However, this book isn’t one of those but is, instead, an affectionate record of a very creative period in the author, Mary Finnigan,’s, her friends and also Mr Bowie’s lives in which they set up an experimental Arts Lab in leafy, prim and proper Beckenham. DB and Mary’s paths cross when she visits friends in Beckenham and meet shim. She offers him a room in the house she shares with her two children and he moves in. She eventually becomes his landlady and lover.
It’s 1969, the last gasp of the ‘69’s hippie dream and Mary with a group of enthusiastic, creative souls set up the Arts Lab in a function room over a local pub. A plaque marks the spot as it’s now an Italian restaurant. The audience numbers swell and Bowie uses it to try out new songs. A regular on the pub circuit he is still chasing stardom. The group then decide to organise a free festival in a local park using the historic Victorian bandstand and this event becomes the inspiration for a very well known Bowie song ‘Memories of a Free Festival.’ Soon he writes ‘Space Oddity’ which coincides with the Moon landings which becomes a huge hit and then nothing much happens for DB. Until he cuts off his curls, dyes his hair scarlet and looks like nothing else on the planet…..he’s on his way to where he wanted to go most…..
I enjoyed Finnigan’s writing style – it’s obvious that she was a journalist – and admire her recall of events. Some very early Bowie photos illustrate the book and it captures an episode in hers and Bowie’s life where they were finding their place in the world. Nowadays if you opened something like an Arts Lab it probably wouldn’t get off the ground without Health and Safety, risk assessments, tick box forms, events licences and all sorts of red tape. I’m not sure that Angie Bowie’s wheelbarrow barbecue would be allowed either.
I currently live in Beckenham and grew up in nearby Crystal Palace. Classmates regularly saw Bowie walking along the High Street – that’s how we thought all pop stars were – touchable, like us, ordinary. Little did we know that he was destined to be anything but. Finnigan shows how he imbued Buddhists theories and beliefs in order to constantly re-invent himself and adopt different personas. The book portrays a pivotal moment when ‘60’s idealism and enthusiasm metamorphosed into the harder, more aggressive ‘70’s realism. It also shows Bowie’s determination to achieve his ambitions – he moves on from Mary to Angie whom he marries.
I really enjoyed this book as Finnigan describes, and looks back on, events with genuine fondness
Especially in the way in which they have also impacted on her current life. A good read.
It was unfortunate that this book was published on David Bowie’s 69th birthday and 2 days before he died as it could be seen by some as a quick cash-in.
However, this book isn’t one of those but is, instead, an affectionate record of a very creative period in the author, Mary Finnigan,’s, her friends and also Mr Bowie’s lives in which they set up an experimental Arts Lab in leafy, prim and proper Beckenham. DB and Mary’s paths cross when she visits friends in Beckenham and meet shim. She offers him a room in the house she shares with her two children and he moves in. She eventually becomes his landlady and lover.
It’s 1969, the last gasp of the ‘69’s hippie dream and Mary with a group of enthusiastic, creative souls set up the Arts Lab in a function room over a local pub. A plaque marks the spot as it’s now an Italian restaurant. The audience numbers swell and Bowie uses it to try out new songs. A regular on the pub circuit he is still chasing stardom. The group then decide to organise a free festival in a local park using the historic Victorian bandstand and this event becomes the inspiration for a very well known Bowie song ‘Memories of a Free Festival.’ Soon he writes ‘Space Oddity’ which coincides with the Moon landings which becomes a huge hit and then nothing much happens for DB. Until he cuts off his curls, dyes his hair scarlet and looks like nothing else on the planet…..he’s on his way to where he wanted to go most…..
I enjoyed Finnigan’s writing style – it’s obvious that she was a journalist – and admire her recall of events. Some very early Bowie photos illustrate the book and it captures an episode in hers and Bowie’s life where they were finding their place in the world. Nowadays if you opened something like an Arts Lab it probably wouldn’t get off the ground without Health and Safety, risk assessments, tick box forms, events licences and all sorts of red tape. I’m not sure that Angie Bowie’s wheelbarrow barbecue would be allowed either.
I currently live in Beckenham and grew up in nearby Crystal Palace. Classmates regularly saw Bowie walking along the High Street – that’s how we thought all pop stars were – touchable, like us, ordinary. Little did we know that he was destined to be anything but. Finnigan shows how he imbued Buddhists theories and beliefs in order to constantly re-invent himself and adopt different personas. The book portrays a pivotal moment when ‘60’s idealism and enthusiasm metamorphosed into the harder, more aggressive ‘70’s realism. It also shows Bowie’s determination to achieve his ambitions – he moves on from Mary to Angie whom he marries.
I really enjoyed this book as Finnigan describes, and looks back on, events with genuine fondness
Especially in the way in which they have also impacted on her current life. A good read.
March 13, 2019
Quite a good read about that era
Quite honestly, I thought she behaved like a doormat for an egotistical narcissist and the fact she upped sticks to go to India, leaving her young children in the charge of strangers would probably have her children taken into care these days. I love Bowie's music but as a person he probably poisoned every person he touched. I grew up in that era as someone working class and I always thought middle/ upper class hippies spoilt, entitled, repulsive and amoral.
Quite honestly, I thought she behaved like a doormat for an egotistical narcissist and the fact she upped sticks to go to India, leaving her young children in the charge of strangers would probably have her children taken into care these days. I love Bowie's music but as a person he probably poisoned every person he touched. I grew up in that era as someone working class and I always thought middle/ upper class hippies spoilt, entitled, repulsive and amoral.
December 23, 2025
Another book about David Bowie by someone who once knew him. (I am greatly enjoying this sub-genre.) This time it's his former landlady, collaborator in the Beckenham arts scene and - of course - lover, Mary Finnigan. As usual, Bowie comes across as ruthless in pursuing his goals - which makes a contrast to the hippy garb he wears for most of this short book. There's also a protean quality to him, which leads this narrative to try and stamp beliefs on him which he may or may not have had. It makes me wonder how many of the people who orbited around Bowie through the years really got to know him.
September 5, 2023
I had originally written a review and somehow deleted it!
I enjoyed reading about all the early years and how he progressed. Mary had some great stories of how David's songwriting process went and the things he experienced to find words from.
However, I do feel that she let her love for David make her vulnerable and basically let him use her like a comfortable old shoe.
Some great stuff in it though.
I enjoyed reading about all the early years and how he progressed. Mary had some great stories of how David's songwriting process went and the things he experienced to find words from.
However, I do feel that she let her love for David make her vulnerable and basically let him use her like a comfortable old shoe.
Some great stuff in it though.
August 26, 2023
This piece of work is shabby, ill-tempered, badly constructed and self-serving. The author is extremely critical of Bowie and her supercilious tone is grating. Avoid this book - listen to some Bowie instead.
February 2, 2025
excellent story of all and more of what I knew about David
Well written reviews of David’s life. Nice to hear more about the beginning especially the Arts Club and how everything started for him.
Well written reviews of David’s life. Nice to hear more about the beginning especially the Arts Club and how everything started for him.
June 6, 2018
Nothing special really.
August 8, 2021
Brilliant Bowie
An absolutley fantastic book fully recommended an enjoyable entertaining and very informative book from someone who was there and lived the dream
An absolutley fantastic book fully recommended an enjoyable entertaining and very informative book from someone who was there and lived the dream
January 16, 2016
This is a short memoir by Mary Finnigan which tells the story of the summer of 1969 when she met a 22 year old Bowie by chance when she heard him singing in the flat above her. Before she knew it, she'd offered him a room in the flat she shared with her two children. The story of how he seduced her gives an insight into the flagrant charm of this young man. As she explains, she didn't realise until later that he was also seeing Angie (his first wife, who later moved in with them) and a number of other men and women.
In the first few months of their relationship, the pair started a music night at a local pub which gathers momentum and becomes the Beckenham Arts Lab. As this develops, the town becomes home to street theatre and draws a multitude of artists to the area. The endeavour culminated in the Beckenham Free Festival at which David performed just before he hit the big time.
The book provides an interesting insight into local history and the young David Bowie (albeit through one woman's eyes). It is fascinating to see how the energy of a few people created a 'scene' in a suburban town and a reminder that the 60s may have been THE decade to be young. Indeed, as Mary recounts the rekindling of the Free Festival in 2013, she explains that costs for permits and bureaucratic requirements meant the festival could no longer be free.
Unfortunately, the book has a number of problems, not least of which is the poor editing and presentation. The memoir itself is not terribly well written and the kindle edition is woefully presented with images failing to display correctly and masking text.
In the first few months of their relationship, the pair started a music night at a local pub which gathers momentum and becomes the Beckenham Arts Lab. As this develops, the town becomes home to street theatre and draws a multitude of artists to the area. The endeavour culminated in the Beckenham Free Festival at which David performed just before he hit the big time.
The book provides an interesting insight into local history and the young David Bowie (albeit through one woman's eyes). It is fascinating to see how the energy of a few people created a 'scene' in a suburban town and a reminder that the 60s may have been THE decade to be young. Indeed, as Mary recounts the rekindling of the Free Festival in 2013, she explains that costs for permits and bureaucratic requirements meant the festival could no longer be free.
Unfortunately, the book has a number of problems, not least of which is the poor editing and presentation. The memoir itself is not terribly well written and the kindle edition is woefully presented with images failing to display correctly and masking text.
February 10, 2017
Ne e losho da ja procita knigava sekoj sto mu znaci nesto David Bowie. Ne e sovrshena, no otkriva mnogu raboti za ranata faza na Bowie. Meri imala sreka sto go zapoznala, no i David imal sreka sto ja zapoznal nejze. Niz celava kniga, David ne e vo fokusot na vnimanieto, za zal. Meri si imala svoi demoni i sakala nekako da se procisti niz pisuvanjeto. Se raboti za totalno neodgovorna majka na tri deca. Mozebi ke napisev i drug osvrt, ako ne bese iskrenosta na krajot.
Kako i da e, ne bese dosadno patuvanjeto so Meri i nejzinoto druzenje so covekot koj ni podari prekrasna muzika i ni gi napravi zivotite poveseli...
Kako i da e, ne bese dosadno patuvanjeto so Meri i nejzinoto druzenje so covekot koj ni podari prekrasna muzika i ni gi napravi zivotite poveseli...
January 20, 2016
Bowie
One of the better books about David Bowie. Informative, researched well, I enjoyed it, especially since his death this week. We will miss you and you and your INCREDIBLE music. God speed.
One of the better books about David Bowie. Informative, researched well, I enjoyed it, especially since his death this week. We will miss you and you and your INCREDIBLE music. God speed.
June 15, 2016
Fascinating for fans looking to find more about the man himself as a young man, before the Ziggy era. But the prose itself is awful and Mary Finnegan certainly wouldn't win any prizes for child-rearing.
September 15, 2016
I would actually give just one star to this book, but I was reading an edition that felt badly translated so I'm being generous and giving it two. The book felt too shallow and rushed, like someone just put together a list of general live events connected to Bowie.
February 8, 2017
A must read for Bowie fans who want to get a glimpse into his life outside of music.
April 2, 2016
Some insight into early Bowie years. Not especially thrilling, but may be interesting for a true Bowie fan
April 25, 2016
very self absorbed author, turgid writing-found it impossible to finish
March 23, 2017
A pleasant personal remembrance of David Bowie between the time he left his parents’ house and the recording of Space Oddity/Man of Words, Man of Music. Well written, and interesting, right up to the point where she starts to wax philosophical about Bowie and the impact of the Beckenham Art Lab movement. Packed with plenty of pictures and documents I had never seen before.
April 30, 2017
Music is an art,it is not just an entertainment.It has a literal power.It has the power to evolve or destroy a psyche and thereby a civilization.Civilizations are moulded and shaped according to the dominant style of music because it magnetises society into conforming with itself.
David Bowie came to prominence in the 1970's when the innocence of flower power had been discarded and the culture was openly embracing drugs and depravity.He was at the centre of a push for cultural change that included experimentation with gender, sexuality & drugs,his message was ... do whatever makes you feel good [ do what thy wilt ] and ordinary,everyday people adapted to this counter culture wholesale,spurning important aspects of normality with no real thought of where the consequences of their actions might take them.
This author writes "There was a lot of creativity,a lot of poetry,and a lot of spirituality about at that time"
The spirituality Bowie was into was a confused form of Aleistar Crowley Satanism.There are photographs of him dressed up and imitating Crowley also Bowie makes numerous occultic references in his early work. In his book Bowie:A Biography, Marc Spitz states "Bowie was obsessed with using occultic magic to attain success and protect himself from demonic forces". In this book Mary Finnigan writes about her devotion to Tibetan Buddhism. Aleistar Crowley played a pioneering role in the western study of eastern religions.
Music influences people because it conveys a spiritual essence and it also conveys the state of consciousness of the artist into the listener-parts of the consciousness of the musician can actually become assimilated into the listener.This is why the morality and spiritual state of the musician matters especially when the consciousness of one artist can be transferred into thousands or even millions of people.
******************************************************************************
Ground Control To Davy Jones: Rolling Stone Magazine.
" I honestly believe everything that I've said. I believe that rock & roll is dangerous. It could well bring about a very evil feeling in the West. I do want to rule the world. There's always a pendulum swing, right? Well, we've had the high with rock. It's got to go the other way now. And that's where I see it heading, bringing about the dark era. That we weenie boys with our makeup and funny clothes and whatnot, I feel that we're only heralding something even darker than ourselves"
******************************************************************************
David Bowie set a destructive Luciferian precedent,he paved the way for self confessed satanist Marilyn Manson to succeed in the music industry. Anton Lavey devotee Manson (real name Brian Warner), cites Bowie as his major influence.
David Bowie is widely acknowledged as the most influential British pop artist ever,but sadly David Bowie was a NWO puppet and a Satanist perverting humanity through music.Of course it all seemed like fun times and his music sounded very good to the ears. Poison goes in tasty things,not things people won't consume.David Bowie helped mainstream a negative change in the philosophies,lifestyles and morals of our civilization,due to that he really doesn't deserve our admiration or respect. The author's fawning and high regard for this man is inappropriate.
David Bowie came to prominence in the 1970's when the innocence of flower power had been discarded and the culture was openly embracing drugs and depravity.He was at the centre of a push for cultural change that included experimentation with gender, sexuality & drugs,his message was ... do whatever makes you feel good [ do what thy wilt ] and ordinary,everyday people adapted to this counter culture wholesale,spurning important aspects of normality with no real thought of where the consequences of their actions might take them.
This author writes "There was a lot of creativity,a lot of poetry,and a lot of spirituality about at that time"
The spirituality Bowie was into was a confused form of Aleistar Crowley Satanism.There are photographs of him dressed up and imitating Crowley also Bowie makes numerous occultic references in his early work. In his book Bowie:A Biography, Marc Spitz states "Bowie was obsessed with using occultic magic to attain success and protect himself from demonic forces". In this book Mary Finnigan writes about her devotion to Tibetan Buddhism. Aleistar Crowley played a pioneering role in the western study of eastern religions.
Music influences people because it conveys a spiritual essence and it also conveys the state of consciousness of the artist into the listener-parts of the consciousness of the musician can actually become assimilated into the listener.This is why the morality and spiritual state of the musician matters especially when the consciousness of one artist can be transferred into thousands or even millions of people.
******************************************************************************
Ground Control To Davy Jones: Rolling Stone Magazine.
" I honestly believe everything that I've said. I believe that rock & roll is dangerous. It could well bring about a very evil feeling in the West. I do want to rule the world. There's always a pendulum swing, right? Well, we've had the high with rock. It's got to go the other way now. And that's where I see it heading, bringing about the dark era. That we weenie boys with our makeup and funny clothes and whatnot, I feel that we're only heralding something even darker than ourselves"
******************************************************************************
David Bowie set a destructive Luciferian precedent,he paved the way for self confessed satanist Marilyn Manson to succeed in the music industry. Anton Lavey devotee Manson (real name Brian Warner), cites Bowie as his major influence.
David Bowie is widely acknowledged as the most influential British pop artist ever,but sadly David Bowie was a NWO puppet and a Satanist perverting humanity through music.Of course it all seemed like fun times and his music sounded very good to the ears. Poison goes in tasty things,not things people won't consume.David Bowie helped mainstream a negative change in the philosophies,lifestyles and morals of our civilization,due to that he really doesn't deserve our admiration or respect. The author's fawning and high regard for this man is inappropriate.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews