A Portrait of Bowie: A tribute to Bowie by his artistic collaborators and contemporaries

by Brian Hiatt

HIS LIFE WAS A WORK OF ART

Now, artists and musicians who worked with David Bowie during his lifetime - or who were his contemporaries - pay tribute to the icon through their own words on what it was like to work in collaboration with a man whose fluid artistic genius repeatedly broke boundaries, right up until his death. Alongside these text tributes are 40 stunning illustrative and photographic portraits of Bowie throughout his career.

The contributing artists and photographers include (alphabetically): Edward Bell, Derek Boshier, Anton Corbijn, Kevin Cummins, Chuck Connelly, Chalkie Davies, Stephen Finer, Greg Gorman, Derry Moore, Terry O'Neill, Mick Rock, Masayoshi Sukita, George Underwood, Justin de Villeneuve and more.

Alongside these remarkable portraits are insightful, personal written pieces by his contemporaries, and musicians and artists who worked closely with Bowie, including Zachary Alford, Carlos Alomar, Toni Basil, Gail Ann Dorsey, Mike Garson, Dana Gillespie, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, Cyndi Lauper, and Nile Rodgers, among others.

The book is curated by Brian Hiatt, of Rolling Stone magazine, as General Editor.

** Newly revised and improved ebook edition, optimized for both small- and large-screen devices **

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, Art

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While some of the interviews seemed like they were taking advantage of a chance in the spotlight, the rest were extremely interesting. A couple of the interviews made me almost tear up. Having the pictures out of order was a little confusing, but I still enjoyed looking through them. Rest in Peace, David Bowie, and thanks for a lifetime of amazing music.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot. The artists writing their reminiscences represent a decent range, and their essays go much more in depth and are longer than the sorts of interviews I’ve seen in documentaries. It begins with George Underwood and ends with Robyn Hitchcock, and it includes painters and musicians and choreographers, people who have a variety of connections to Bowie. And the essays are interspersed with so many portraits of Bowie, which also represent a range of interpretations. It was a perfect winter break book for me.

[Ian Coutts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. Sent me to the web time and again to check out a reference to a song, a painter, even the odd old TV show. I now have to revisit (and in some cases visit for the first time) the man's musical output.

[Christine Moakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book on the life of David Bowie consisting of interviews with band members, artists, and musicians. Gorgeous photographs of Bowie depicting his fashion and music transformations throughout his career. I thought it was a lovely tribute to Bowie.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intricate compilation of interviews from people that worked with Bowie during a portion of his extensive career. The most fascinating interviews were introspective reflections about the enigmatic musician.

In hindsight, a couple of interviews felt out of place because they were either not firsthand accounts with Bowie or the interview format was incongruous with the others.

Featured artwork was delightful and diverse. Overall, the book was an enjoyable read with only minute critiques.

[Joe Palermo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a longtime fan of David Bowie. I've read many books about him, but I really love this one. It is a collection of portraits as well as stories from famous people that knew him. If you love music, you will love this book as there is a lot of "insider baseball" on the music industry as well. My favorite was the entry by Nile Rodgers of Chic fame, who produced Let's Dance. I knew some of the story already, but this dug a whole lot deeper into the type of person David was. He was genuinely likable and fun to be around, in addition to being driven.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into David Bowie. I do agree with other reviewers that some contributors to the book were just looking for some attention, but regardless I enjoyed most of the perspectives and pictures. (Page 45 is my personal favourite.) I also wish there could have been some personal quotes from Bowie as well as a short biography of him. I wasn't born yet during his major music years, so I need to do additional research into his life.

Rest in peace, David Bowie.

[Sean Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the books published since Bowie sadly passed away, this is easily the most essential for the committed Bowie fan. It adds good information and anecdotes and takes an intelligent look at his his work as seen by those who worked with him. Full of insights and new information, as well as being lavish enough to make a perfect gift.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful oversized book, full of excellent photographs and featuring interviews with those who knew Bowie and were greatly impacted by his life and work. People like Nile Rodgers share their stories and experiences of working with the man, providing readers with an inside glimpse into this creative genius.

[Silvana Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to remember one of the best artists of all times and to celebrate David’s day. The photography was magnificent and the interviews captured the essence of Bowie in a marvelous way. I loved it.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightens

Excellent commentary on Bowie's personality and artistic methods of working by those who knew him well.Great photos of Bowie too.


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[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a huge, heavy book with plenty of full-color, full-page illustrations and photographs honoring the late, great David Bowie (and, over two years after his death, it's still painful to type that.) This is a good way of bowing to Bowie without scraping, too. The stories presented here by artists and musicians he worked with and influenced show Bowie as anything other than how he is often remembered -- as a Rock God. Here he is something even better -- a real, three dimensional man easily bored and intensely curious.



Some people well-known to have worked with Bowie are conspicuously absent (no Brian Eno, no Trent Reznor, no Reeves Gabrels for example) but there are many good stories and eulogies here presented. Contributors include his long-time base player, Cindy Lauper and the guy who punched Bowie in the face when he was a teenager, causing that unforgettable stare.



A unique book for a unique man and artist.

[False · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography and art collaboration on David Bowie, published shortly after his death. Most of the art images were new to me. I knew about half of the photographs. Many of the people he interviewed turn up in another biography I just finished on Bowie, and they basically say the same things: ever changing, took what he wanted off people then dumped them, a superb mimic, private to the extreme (you saw what he wanted you to see.) The most interesting reflections were from the artists and musicians who worked with him in terms of the actual engagement with creativity. Old landlords? Childhood friends? Not so much. Overall, I thought the essay by Robyn Hitchcock was the most dead-on for accuracy in dealing with a personality and temperament like Bowie's.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made sure to finish this book on what would have been Bowie's 71st birthday; a little celebration of what he's given us, so to speak. And this book is very celebratory – not just of Bowie and his legacy, but the people who contributed to that legacy. Collaborators, contemporaries, and people he admired who admired him right back are featured in this book of remembrances, which also features Bowie-based art from amazingly talented painters, artists and photographers.

Definitely worth a read if you are a Bowie fan or just looking to be inspired.

[Kevinjwoods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps this would have worked best concentrating on the photography as the interviewees seem a bit random, famous musicians who met him a few times, members of his various bands, and artists who painted him, that you don't get any idea of who he was as a person, feels like a very expensive cash in that looks better than it actually is.

[Yer Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photos. Fun essays.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice collection, though some essays were definitely better than others. (There were a few inclusions I was baffled by.) The images were excellent- there were some rare photos I'd never seen.