David Bowie (October 25,1975) – “Fame At Last For Soulful Bowie” Feature - Melody Maker
This extensive Melody Maker feature catches David Bowie during the Young Americans and “Fame” period, reflecting on the American success that had finally brought his music to a much broader audience. The interview ranges across “Fame”, “Young Americans”, The Man Who Fell To Earth, discarded recordings and Bowie’s changing approach to performance, while also documenting a television appearance alongside Cher.
Publication: Melody Maker
Date: October 25, 1975
Country: United Kingdom
THE STORY
Appearing within Melody Maker’s “American Music Scene” section, the feature is headed “Fame at last for soulful Bowie.”
The article opens in Los Angeles with Bowie discussing Cher and the preparations surrounding a television appearance. The large photograph accompanying the story shows Bowie and Cher together and is captioned “BOWIE with CHER on her TV show.”
The interview quickly turns to Bowie’s current American success and particularly the single “Fame.” Bowie discusses the recording and the circumstances surrounding its creation, while the article places the song within the changing direction of his career.
Young Americans is central to the feature. Bowie discusses the album’s soul-oriented approach and some of the material surrounding the sessions, including songs and recordings that did not necessarily appear in their originally intended form.
The article also refers to “Across The Universe” and John Lennon, placing the collaboration within Bowie’s contemporary recording work.
FROM “FAME” TO FILM
Another major subject is Bowie’s involvement in The Man Who Fell To Earth.
The article discusses Bowie’s transition into film acting and the unusual challenge of playing the central character. Bowie talks about the difference between performing music on stage and working as an actor, describing acting as requiring a different kind of control and concentration.
The feature indicates that Bowie was increasingly interested in film and performance beyond conventional rock concerts, continuing the pattern of changing direction that had characterised his career.
The interview also considers the relationship between Bowie’s public characters and Bowie as an individual, touching on the way different personas had been adopted and discarded through successive stages of his work.
CHANGING MUSICAL DIRECTION
The feature captures Bowie during another period of transition.
Rather than presenting the soulful direction of Young Americans as a permanent destination, the interview suggests that Bowie was already thinking beyond it. Bowie speaks about moving between musical ideas and avoiding becoming trapped by one successful style.
The article discusses recording activity and Bowie’s continuing experimentation, presenting a performer already looking towards whatever would follow the success of “Fame”.
This restlessness is reflected in Bowie’s comments about songs, performance and the creative process. The article portrays continued change not as an interruption to Bowie’s career but as one of its defining characteristics.
CHER TELEVISION APPEARANCE
The photograph of Bowie and Cher provides an important visual element to the feature.
Bowie is shown alongside Cher during preparations connected with Cher’s television programme. The accompanying article discusses Bowie’s involvement in the show and the unusual mixture of songs being prepared for the appearance.
The image captures Bowie during the same period in which the soul-influenced American presentation had become central to his public image.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published during the period of Bowie’s major American breakthrough with “Fame”, the feature documents an artist who had achieved significant new success while already considering the next stage of his career.
The article is particularly valuable because it combines several strands of Bowie’s activities during 1975: Young Americans, “Fame”, television, film work and future musical development.
Rather than concentrating on a single record, the feature presents Bowie in continual motion, moving between music, television and acting while resisting the idea of remaining permanently associated with one particular style.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: David Bowie interviewed during the “Fame” / Young Americans period
Era: 1975 Young Americans era
Tone: Career-focused, reflective and forward-looking
Photography: Large black-and-white photograph of Bowie with Cher connected with Cher’s television show
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Feature headed “Fame At Last For Soulful Bowie”
• Discussion of the success of “Fame”
• Coverage of Young Americans and Bowie’s changing musical direction
• References to Bowie’s recording work with John Lennon
• Discussion of The Man Who Fell To Earth
• Bowie considering the differences between acting and stage performance
• Photograph captioned “BOWIE with CHER on her TV show”
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