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Bowie: The Illustrated Story
Follow every step of David Bowie’s career; from Ziggy Stardust to Tin Machine, from “Space Oddity” to Let’s Dance to Blackstar , in The Illustrated Story.
David Bowie released an incredible 27 studio album s, beginning with his eponymous 1967 debut and ending with Blackstar , released just two days before his untimely death in January 2016. Widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians and performers of the previous five decades , Bowie demolished what were thought to be the limitations of stagecraft in rock music, as well as proving it possible for an artist to constantly--and successfully--redefine himself. As a result, Bowie has been credited with inspiring genres as disparate as glam and punk rock.
This sharply written and gorgeously designed retrospective follows Bowie’s career from the folkie baroque rock of his debut, to his breakthrough single “ Space Oddity ,” and on to his flamboyant glam rock alter ego, Ziggy Stardust . Author Pat Gilbert continues through Bowie’s soul phase, his electronic Berlin trilogy, his massive pop success in the 1980s, and his turn to electronica in the 1990s, as well as subsequent tours, notable performances, collaborations, and accolades.
Nearly every page is illustrated with stunning concert and candid offstage photography , including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, concert ticket stubs, and more. The result is a fitting tribute to one of the most influential and admired stars in rock history.
David Bowie released an incredible 27 studio album s, beginning with his eponymous 1967 debut and ending with Blackstar , released just two days before his untimely death in January 2016. Widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians and performers of the previous five decades , Bowie demolished what were thought to be the limitations of stagecraft in rock music, as well as proving it possible for an artist to constantly--and successfully--redefine himself. As a result, Bowie has been credited with inspiring genres as disparate as glam and punk rock.
This sharply written and gorgeously designed retrospective follows Bowie’s career from the folkie baroque rock of his debut, to his breakthrough single “ Space Oddity ,” and on to his flamboyant glam rock alter ego, Ziggy Stardust . Author Pat Gilbert continues through Bowie’s soul phase, his electronic Berlin trilogy, his massive pop success in the 1980s, and his turn to electronica in the 1990s, as well as subsequent tours, notable performances, collaborations, and accolades.
Nearly every page is illustrated with stunning concert and candid offstage photography , including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, concert ticket stubs, and more. The result is a fitting tribute to one of the most influential and admired stars in rock history.
- GenresMusicNonfictionBiography
224 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2017
19 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 19, 2017
Like so many others I’ve been a huge Bowie fan for as long as I can remember.
This is a nice book with loads of great pics including some I hadn’t seen before but while it’s a good read there’s nothing really new here but it is well presented.
It covers how Bowie was taught by Peter Frampton’s father Owen. How his Heterochromia was a result of a fight with a friend over a girl and his relationship with Mark Field - Marc Bolan.
I’m also a huge Sex Pistols fan and I’d heard before that back in 1973 at one of Bowie’s last Hammersmith gigs (the killing off of Ziggy gigs) Steve Jones then seventeen snuck in and Bowie’s gear was still set up so he helped himself to several microphones and a Fender twin amplifier. The Sex Pistols had some decent equipment to start with courtesy of Bowie.
Years ago me my hubby and my parents were in Florida sat on Clearwater beach when I heard a radio announcement that David Bowie’s Glass Spider Tour was that night and tickets were still available. We dashed over got two tickets took my parents back over to Tamper and then returned for the gig and it was brilliant, something I’ll never forget and I still have my programme and sweatshirt and now when I think of Bowie I think of that day and smile.
I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Voyageur Press.
January 1, 2022
This book was definitely for newly converted Bowie fans. I mean, can't you see the trademark Labyrinth eyes? I was introduced to David Bowie because of his cult film, Labyrinth. Unfortunately there's less Labyrinth material, but I'm not complaining!
But if you don't know anything about David Bowie, this is a good book to start with. There's an abundance of photographs and graphics (like posters, album art, etc) that features Bowie's music career. The biography follows Bowie as a teenager until his success. It's just amazing to read about Bowie's success because this is clearly not something he was expecting. It seems like he was just testing the waters until he became popular. He seems like someone who never gives up, so in a way, this book was awe-inspiring.
For those who have read many biographies or non-fiction books on David Bowie, information from this book may not be new. However, it's still a good book to keep because of the collection of photographs inside the book. Also, I think it's better to own a physical copy because it was harder to read on a device unless you want to keep zooming in/out while you read.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
But if you don't know anything about David Bowie, this is a good book to start with. There's an abundance of photographs and graphics (like posters, album art, etc) that features Bowie's music career. The biography follows Bowie as a teenager until his success. It's just amazing to read about Bowie's success because this is clearly not something he was expecting. It seems like he was just testing the waters until he became popular. He seems like someone who never gives up, so in a way, this book was awe-inspiring.
For those who have read many biographies or non-fiction books on David Bowie, information from this book may not be new. However, it's still a good book to keep because of the collection of photographs inside the book. Also, I think it's better to own a physical copy because it was harder to read on a device unless you want to keep zooming in/out while you read.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
December 7, 2017
Lavishly and lovingly illustrated, with a nicely condensed history of Bowie’s career. It was sweet and sad to pore through this book. Time spent with Bowie is time well spent!
January 9, 2018
I received an arc of Bowie: An Illustrated Story, so a big thank-you to Quatro Publishing Group – Voyager Press and to Netgalley for the opportunity.
And so - in honour of today being David Bowie's birthday - here is my review:
Bowie: The Illustrated Story is a beautiful tribute to the creative genius for which it was named, that surely all fans will enjoy. It is a timeline, following David Bowie’s life and career, taking the reader through his many personas. In the pages of this book, we can see Bowie as he transitions from identity to identity, collaborating with artists from Nine Inch Nails all the way to Bing Cosby, pursuing acting in films such as Labyrinth, and constantly reinventing the way he would express himself through his eccentric style and quiet elegance.
As the title suggests, this is an illustrated work. The photographs were a stunning addition to an already interesting read. So while the writing was definitely a condensed version of Bowie’s life story, the book is certainly something I would suggest to all fans, young and old, time-tested and new.
And so - in honour of today being David Bowie's birthday - here is my review:
Bowie: The Illustrated Story is a beautiful tribute to the creative genius for which it was named, that surely all fans will enjoy. It is a timeline, following David Bowie’s life and career, taking the reader through his many personas. In the pages of this book, we can see Bowie as he transitions from identity to identity, collaborating with artists from Nine Inch Nails all the way to Bing Cosby, pursuing acting in films such as Labyrinth, and constantly reinventing the way he would express himself through his eccentric style and quiet elegance.
As the title suggests, this is an illustrated work. The photographs were a stunning addition to an already interesting read. So while the writing was definitely a condensed version of Bowie’s life story, the book is certainly something I would suggest to all fans, young and old, time-tested and new.
December 9, 2017
What a really interesting book. Firstly, I am not a huge David Bowie fan but I greatly appreciate how much he influenced so many bands that I am huge fans of. This book, alongside fantastic photos, really offers a great insight into the depth of work that Bowie created over a 40+ year career, I imagine that not a lot of this will be news to many of his fans, but as someone with a passing knowledge of his back catalogue, I find this immensely interesting and will now be investigating said back catalogue.
December 2, 2017
A great tribute book for all David Bowie fans! I grew up listening to his music in early days, & continued into his last & final days. Gorgeous photos, both color, & B&W, along with detail written information through each phase of his career. Constantly reinventing himself, different personas & facades, always staying relevant. Wish 8 had the actual,physical book, but the digital is also quite beautiful! Sadly, the world didn’t really know he was sick, & it was a huge shock to me, when I saw he died. Talent snuffed way too early & young
I received a digital copy of this amazing tribute book from Net Galley & Quarto Publishing. In return I’ve written an honest review. Thank you very much for allowing me this last look into David “Bowie” jones’ life
I received a digital copy of this amazing tribute book from Net Galley & Quarto Publishing. In return I’ve written an honest review. Thank you very much for allowing me this last look into David “Bowie” jones’ life
November 27, 2017
Fascinating collection of images and artifacts from Bowie's career. I really appreciated the approach to exploring the entirety of Bowie's work since there can definitely be a heavy emphasis on earlier or later work a lot of times. I also appreciate the effort the author went through to source documentation and photos that are less commonly seen. Overall a very well done work that's great for any Bowie fan but without feeling like a heavy anthology.
November 30, 2017
I expected more of an art/photography book, but this was surprisingly a pretty in-depth written biography of Bowie and his long career. The visuals that were included were interesting and were a good accompaniment to the story.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2018
Such a beautiful, heartfelt book and a perfect tribute to David Bowie.
November 15, 2017
When David Bowie succumbed to liver cancer in January 2016 it was to be expected that there would be an outpouring of grief and respect for the legacy he had attained during a five decade career.
In this sumptuous new book Pat Gilbert leaves no stone unturned in paying homage to Bowie, with an unparalleled vista of images from every stage of his life in music and entertainment.
As David Jones he learnt his craft in groups like the Konrads, the King Bees, the Lower Third and the Buzz. And who could forget, although he probably wanted to, The Laughing Gnome. In 1966 David Jones became David Bowie, released his first album on June 1st that year and made his TV debut under his new persona.
With the release of Space Oddity in 1966 David Bowie was on his way to becoming the mega star he was to become. Through the 1970’s album after album shared his musical ambitions as well as the new personalities he seemed to adopt each time. Albums like Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Hunky Dory, Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, The Man who fell to Earth, Station to Station and culminating in his biggest seller Let’s Dance in 1983.
As a solo artist David Bowie had no peer during this period, and he wasn’t afraid to seek fellow minded musicians with whom to collaborate. From the early days with Mott the Hoople and Lou Reed, to Tina Turner, Pat Metheny and of course Mick Jagger. Bowie was never satisfied to be a talisman for music, he was a performance artist, and extended his talents to acting in successful movies like Labyrinth.
Pat Gilbert’s book is rich in colour with a dynamic selection of images from all of David Bowie’s albums, tours, gigs, movies and personalities. Of course it leans heavily on the halcyon days of the Seventies and early Eighties, but it doesn’t shirk from his early years, or the later ones including Tin Machine and of course his farewell album Blackstar. Gilbert has done the legacy of David Bowie proud and this book will have appeal outside the hard core fans.
In this sumptuous new book Pat Gilbert leaves no stone unturned in paying homage to Bowie, with an unparalleled vista of images from every stage of his life in music and entertainment.
As David Jones he learnt his craft in groups like the Konrads, the King Bees, the Lower Third and the Buzz. And who could forget, although he probably wanted to, The Laughing Gnome. In 1966 David Jones became David Bowie, released his first album on June 1st that year and made his TV debut under his new persona.
With the release of Space Oddity in 1966 David Bowie was on his way to becoming the mega star he was to become. Through the 1970’s album after album shared his musical ambitions as well as the new personalities he seemed to adopt each time. Albums like Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Hunky Dory, Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, The Man who fell to Earth, Station to Station and culminating in his biggest seller Let’s Dance in 1983.
As a solo artist David Bowie had no peer during this period, and he wasn’t afraid to seek fellow minded musicians with whom to collaborate. From the early days with Mott the Hoople and Lou Reed, to Tina Turner, Pat Metheny and of course Mick Jagger. Bowie was never satisfied to be a talisman for music, he was a performance artist, and extended his talents to acting in successful movies like Labyrinth.
Pat Gilbert’s book is rich in colour with a dynamic selection of images from all of David Bowie’s albums, tours, gigs, movies and personalities. Of course it leans heavily on the halcyon days of the Seventies and early Eighties, but it doesn’t shirk from his early years, or the later ones including Tin Machine and of course his farewell album Blackstar. Gilbert has done the legacy of David Bowie proud and this book will have appeal outside the hard core fans.
November 17, 2017
There’s been a slew of books on Bowie since his death in early 2016, and Pat Gilbert’s ‘Bowie. The Illustrated Story’ could be regarded as a belated attempt to jump on the bandwagon (if a hearse can be a bandwagon).
Such a judgment would be uncharitable, however, insofar as there’s now been a decent interval allowing someone like Gilbert to re-evaluate Bowie’s life and art.
This illustrated story can certainly boast plentiful pictures, including photographs of Bowie as a boy; teenager; mod; mime; band member; as Ziggy; with an eyepatch (no less than four times!); in shades; as the Gouster; as the Thin White Duke; in concert; in the studio; in family settings; partying; in film roles and so on. The list of supporting characters includes Marc Bolan, Ken Pitt, Lindsay Kemp, Tony Visconti, Dana Gillespie, Mick Ronson, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, John Lennon, Brian Eno, Angie Bowie and Iman.
There are also pictures of singles, albums, posters and tickets, although this sometimes means an element of duplication (for example the image of David kicking one leg high in the air, from the 1972 cover of ‘The Man Who Saved the World’, is reproduced on the cover of a 1972 RCA promo EP on page 77 and then again on a Ziggy Sardust tour poster on page 82).
There are some photographs I hadn’t seen before but a lot that I had and the illustrations, although covering a greater number of years, will not command the same level of interest as those which accompanied Kevin Cann’s ‘Any Day Now’, when it first appeared. Nor is Gilbert’s text quite as insightful as that to be found in, say, Roy Carr and Charles Shaar Murray’s ‘Bowie: An Illustrated Record’.
Having said that, Gilbert has done a competent, conscientious, craftmanslike job of charting Bowie’s life, so if you want an unpretentious and undemanding but pretty comprehensive overview this is a reasonable place to start.
Such a judgment would be uncharitable, however, insofar as there’s now been a decent interval allowing someone like Gilbert to re-evaluate Bowie’s life and art.
This illustrated story can certainly boast plentiful pictures, including photographs of Bowie as a boy; teenager; mod; mime; band member; as Ziggy; with an eyepatch (no less than four times!); in shades; as the Gouster; as the Thin White Duke; in concert; in the studio; in family settings; partying; in film roles and so on. The list of supporting characters includes Marc Bolan, Ken Pitt, Lindsay Kemp, Tony Visconti, Dana Gillespie, Mick Ronson, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, John Lennon, Brian Eno, Angie Bowie and Iman.
There are also pictures of singles, albums, posters and tickets, although this sometimes means an element of duplication (for example the image of David kicking one leg high in the air, from the 1972 cover of ‘The Man Who Saved the World’, is reproduced on the cover of a 1972 RCA promo EP on page 77 and then again on a Ziggy Sardust tour poster on page 82).
There are some photographs I hadn’t seen before but a lot that I had and the illustrations, although covering a greater number of years, will not command the same level of interest as those which accompanied Kevin Cann’s ‘Any Day Now’, when it first appeared. Nor is Gilbert’s text quite as insightful as that to be found in, say, Roy Carr and Charles Shaar Murray’s ‘Bowie: An Illustrated Record’.
Having said that, Gilbert has done a competent, conscientious, craftmanslike job of charting Bowie’s life, so if you want an unpretentious and undemanding but pretty comprehensive overview this is a reasonable place to start.
December 4, 2017
Very good book that any David Bowie fan will want to have. Oustanding pictures and writing makes this book a win. Nice information regarding very times in David Bowie's life. Very good book, holds your interest. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of the book in return for my honest review. I highly recommend this book.
November 15, 2017
I love all things David Bowie, so how could I not request this book and how could I not love it?!? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, but even more so, I LOVED the images. It is titled "The Illustrated Story" and yes, there are so many illustrations. Pictures I have not seen previously.
There are eight chapters ranging from 1947, London Boy, until 2016, Little Wonder. Each chapter covers specific years. I was hooked from the first words in the introduction. "When David Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016, two days after his sixty-ninth birthday, the outpouring of emotion was unusually intense. Something about Bowie's loss seemed uncommonly personal and deeply moving." Yes!!! It was something I took personally!! Bowie's music was a HUGE part of my teen years. Those very emotional teen years. His music was what I want to when I needed to get away from teenage issues. When he passed, I cried. Someone asked me why I would I cry for someone I did not know. I found that an odd question because I did know him. Not personally know, but in the way a fan knows their idol, I knew him. Thank you for this illustrated version of his life!! All Bowie fans need to have this book, even if you do not want to read it, the pictures are wonderfully awesome!
There are eight chapters ranging from 1947, London Boy, until 2016, Little Wonder. Each chapter covers specific years. I was hooked from the first words in the introduction. "When David Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016, two days after his sixty-ninth birthday, the outpouring of emotion was unusually intense. Something about Bowie's loss seemed uncommonly personal and deeply moving." Yes!!! It was something I took personally!! Bowie's music was a HUGE part of my teen years. Those very emotional teen years. His music was what I want to when I needed to get away from teenage issues. When he passed, I cried. Someone asked me why I would I cry for someone I did not know. I found that an odd question because I did know him. Not personally know, but in the way a fan knows their idol, I knew him. Thank you for this illustrated version of his life!! All Bowie fans need to have this book, even if you do not want to read it, the pictures are wonderfully awesome!
January 10, 2018
This really is a fabulous book, full of superb photographs and very interesting accounts about Bowie’s rise to stardom. I didn’t realise how long, and how many attempts it took him to hit the charts, so it really was a fascinating read. There are numerous stories of his many different relationships, personal and professional, many I didn’t know about, and of course accounts of how he became the star we know today.
I was a late fan to his music, being very fortunate to see him in concert back in the 1980s, when he played in a open air venue in Paris on The Glass Spider Tour. I’m so glad I was able to experience his showmanship on a grand scale.
If you’re a fan or just interested in his life, personal and in the arts, I thoroughly recommend this fantastic book.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Voyageur Press for my digital copy.
I was a late fan to his music, being very fortunate to see him in concert back in the 1980s, when he played in a open air venue in Paris on The Glass Spider Tour. I’m so glad I was able to experience his showmanship on a grand scale.
If you’re a fan or just interested in his life, personal and in the arts, I thoroughly recommend this fantastic book.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Voyageur Press for my digital copy.
December 31, 2024
V čase mezi vánočními svátky a Silvestrem 2024 jsem si ještě střihla tuhle biografickou krásku o Davidu Bowiem a strávila jsem s ní několik krásných chvil.
Fanoušci tohoto zpěváka si tu určitě přijdou na své, zvláště pokud Bowieho život třeba neznají tak podrobné. Kniha je tu zaměřena především na jeho profesní život, jeho rodinný život tu je spíše jako doplněk. Vše je psané hezky srozumitelně, v souvislostech. Člověk tu načerpá i další hudební inspiraci - jsou tu zmíněni i někteří další hudebníci, u kterých se Bowie buď sám inspiroval, nebo s nimi pracoval, nebo se měl s nimi možnost setkat. Což třeba pro mne bylo přínosné, protože moje hudební povědomí je v některých oblastech stále ještě trochu děravé, tak si ráda ty znalosti doplním. Text knihy je pak doplněn o řadu obrazových a fotografických materiálů, takže i po té vizuální stránce je tahle kniha neuvěřitelně zajímavá, lákavá a krásná.
Tohle jsem si nesmírně užila, moc mne to bavilo. Pokud vás tedy osobnost Davida Bowieho zajímá, rozhodně moc doporučuji.
Fanoušci tohoto zpěváka si tu určitě přijdou na své, zvláště pokud Bowieho život třeba neznají tak podrobné. Kniha je tu zaměřena především na jeho profesní život, jeho rodinný život tu je spíše jako doplněk. Vše je psané hezky srozumitelně, v souvislostech. Člověk tu načerpá i další hudební inspiraci - jsou tu zmíněni i někteří další hudebníci, u kterých se Bowie buď sám inspiroval, nebo s nimi pracoval, nebo se měl s nimi možnost setkat. Což třeba pro mne bylo přínosné, protože moje hudební povědomí je v některých oblastech stále ještě trochu děravé, tak si ráda ty znalosti doplním. Text knihy je pak doplněn o řadu obrazových a fotografických materiálů, takže i po té vizuální stránce je tahle kniha neuvěřitelně zajímavá, lákavá a krásná.
Tohle jsem si nesmírně užila, moc mne to bavilo. Pokud vás tedy osobnost Davida Bowieho zajímá, rozhodně moc doporučuji.
June 21, 2020
The more committed Bowie fan is unlikely to come across much they didn't already know, and the last thirty years of Bowie's life are skirted over pretty sharpish, mostly in one final chapter. That said there are some interesting quotes and, best of all, lots of great photos included. The constant referral to picture covers as picture discs was quite irritating to the pedant who lives inside me though! :) x
January 18, 2025
This is a very good read if you want to know about every project that Bowie got his hands on. Most every single, LP, acting role, and even video game is catalogued with a loose narrative about his life. The most biographical portion is the first half of the book, in which Bowie’s life is at the forefront because there is no music yet to detail. I was hoping for something more biographical and detailed, but now I know about a lot more Bowie media to delve into.
January 4, 2018
little more than a chronology that lacks spark or originality, and needs editing to remove a bunch of typos. the pictures, as any pictures of bowie are, are nice to look at, but none of the are new and the choices are neither inventive nor iconic.
January 12, 2018
A solid if basic short biography, with some cool rarely-seen images - though not enough of the iconic ones. I reviewed Bowie: The Illustrated Story for The Current.
April 4, 2019
Not a lot of new information for lifelong Bowie fans like me, but there is some. I bought it in Kindle format and the photos alone, when viewed on n my iPad were enough to make me order this in hardcover.
June 24, 2020
Algo escueto, pero justito para iniciarte en la biografía de Bowie. Bebe de otras biografías, las resume y la verdad es que no ofrece mucho más.
Las fotos no son nada especial, todas están bastante vistas, en realidad.
Las fotos no son nada especial, todas están bastante vistas, en realidad.
February 11, 2021
Nice illustrated journey throught his career. Very good for new fan as a first information source. I am reading more deeper book too but this helped me to get into his life and found many amazing videos and documents mentioned in book.
March 16, 2018
This is one of the most beautiful books I have seen and read. Great coffee table book.
January 26, 2021
Just spectacular. If you are fan of David Bowie you need to read this. Personally I loved this book, those images inside the book have an excellent quality.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews