David Bowie (October 12, 1974) – “Bowie On A Soul Kick!” Cover Feature – Melody Maker.

Oct 11, 1974

3 min read

Melody Maker devoted its cover and an exclusive three‑page picture spread to David Bowie as he unveiled a dramatic new musical direction. Recorded in Philadelphia with leading soul producers Gamble and Huff, the sessions revealed a markedly different Bowie, moving away from the theatrical world of Diamond Dogs and embracing a powerful soul‑influenced sound.

Publication: Melody Maker

Publication Date: October 12, 1974

Country: United Kingdom

Event Date: August–October 1974 Philadelphia Recording Sessions

Melody Maker's cover story announced what it described as “The New Bowie”, presenting readers with an exclusive photographic report from Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studios. The accompanying three‑page picture feature, photographed by Terry O'Neill, documented Bowie during the recording sessions that would ultimately produce much of the material for his forthcoming soul‑based work.

The cover headline “Bowie On A Soul Kick!” reflected the radical shift taking place in his music during 1974. After completing his initial Diamond Dogs tour commitments in America, Bowie spent time recording in Philadelphia, working in the heart of the city's renowned soul scene. The article notes that several new songs had already emerged from the sessions, including “John, I'm Only Dancing”, “It's Gonna Be Me”, “Who Can I Be Now?”, “Right” and the future hit “Young Americans.”

The feature explains that Bowie assembled an entirely new backing group for the project, featuring musicians including David Sanborn, Andy Newmark, Willie Weeks, Mike Garson, Ava Cherry, Robin Clark and Luther Vandross. Production duties were handled by Tony Visconti, who was simultaneously overseeing Bowie's forthcoming live album David Live.

Across the three pages, Bowie is shown both performing and relaxing between sessions, offering readers a rare behind‑the‑scenes glimpse into one of the most important musical transformations of his career.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Published several months before the release of Young Americans, this feature captures Bowie at the exact moment he began moving away from glam rock and toward the sound he would later describe as “plastic soul.”

The Philadelphia recordings represented one of the most significant turning points in Bowie's career. Rather than relying on the style that had brought him international fame, he immersed himself in American soul and R&B traditions, recording with musicians closely connected to the Philadelphia sound.

The Melody Maker spread is historically important because it documents these sessions before the public had fully heard the results. In doing so, it offers one of the earliest visual records of the transition between the Diamond Dogs era and the Young Americans period.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Philadelphia Sigma Sound recording sessions

Era: 1974 – Transition from Diamond Dogs to Young Americans

Tone: Forward‑looking, exclusive and documentary

Photography: Exclusive three‑page Terry O'Neill photo feature showing Bowie recording, rehearsing and relaxing during the Philadelphia sessions

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

Melody Maker cover headline “Bowie On A Soul Kick!”
Exclusive three‑page photo spread titled “The New Bowie”
Recording sessions at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia
Early references to songs including “Young Americans” and “Right”
Bowie working with a new soul‑oriented backing band
Photographs by Terry O'Neill
Evidence of Bowie's major musical transformation during 1974

SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2

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