David Bowie (August 23, 1975) – “Dictatorship: The Next Step?” Feature – New Musical Express
This New Musical Express feature from August 1975 captures David Bowie during filming of The Man Who Fell to Earth, exploring his provocative views on music, morality, and society. The article’s headline and imagery reflect Bowie’s fascination with power, control, and cultural decay, marking one of his most controversial interviews of the decade.
Publication: New Musical Express Date: August 23 1975 Country: United Kingdom
Across three pages, Bowie discusses the decline of rock ’n’ roll and the emptiness of modern pop culture. He describes Young Americans as “relentless plastic soul” and calls rock “a toothless old woman.” Speaking from the set of The Man Who Fell to Earth, he reflects on dictatorship, morality, and the future of art, suggesting that music had lost its revolutionary edge. The interview includes stark quotes about political extremism and moral rigidity, alongside photographs by David James showing Bowie in hooded attire and sharp monochrome portraits.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published during Bowie’s Thin White Duke period, this feature coincided with his transition from Young Americans to Station to Station.
The imagery and statements mirror the era’s fascination with alienation and authoritarian symbolism.
The article remains one of the most discussed NME pieces of the 1970s, illustrating Bowie’s complex relationship with fame, identity, and provocation.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: David Bowie interview during filming of The Man Who Fell to Earth Era: 1975 – Thin White Duke / Transitional Era Tone: Provocative, philosophical, and confrontational Photography: Black‑and‑white portraits and set images by David James
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Front‑page headline “Watch out mate! Hitler’s on his way back” with Bowie’s close‑up portrait
Multi‑page interview titled “Dictatorship: The Next Step?”
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