David Bowie (Jan. 17, 2016) A Super Star – Cover Feature

A powerful commemorative cover from The Sunday Times – Culture pays tribute to David Bowie just days after his passing, using a commanding portrait to honour his life, legacy, and enduring cultural presence.

Writer: The Sunday Times – Culture Artist: David Bowie

Date: January 17, 2016

Length: 5 min read

Overview

This Sunday Times Culture cover from January 17, 2016 presents a powerful visual tribute to David Bowie, published just days after his passing. The issue opens with a commanding full‑page portrait of Bowie in a sharp blue suit, standing against a bright urban backdrop with a dramatic sun flare behind him. The headline “A SUPER STAR” announces a ten‑page commemorative feature inside, capturing the collective sense of loss and admiration felt worldwide. The cover radiates Bowie’s enduring charisma — a final, dignified salute to a cultural icon whose influence spanned five decades

Publication

Publication: The Sunday Times – Culture Date: January 17, 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Section / Pages: Cover Feature / Tribute Edition

Title: A Super Star — David Bowie: A 10‑Page Tribute

Feature Highlights

Event: Publication of a ten‑page tribute following Bowie’s death Era: Blackstar period / Final public imagery Tone: Reverent, celebratory, visually dramatic Photography: Full‑cover portrait with sun flare and bold masthead Audience: National readership responding to Bowie’s passing

“DAVID BOWIE – A 10‑page tribute.”  

The Story Behind It

Released on January 17, 2016, this Sunday Times Culture cover served as one of the earliest national press tributes following Bowie’s passing. The portrait — Bowie standing on a boardwalk in a tailored blue suit, arms crossed, sun blazing behind him — conveys both strength and serenity.

Inside, the magazine delivered a ten‑page tribute featuring reflections from collaborators, cultural commentators, and those who knew him personally. The visual treatment, with its dramatic lighting and bold typography, emphasised Bowie’s mythic stature and the profound cultural void left by his death.

The issue frames Bowie not only as a musical innovator but as a defining artistic presence of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

What the Clipping Shows

Event: Publication of a ten‑page tribute following Bowie’s death

Era: Blackstar period / Final public imagery Tone: Reverent, celebratory, visually dramatic

Photography: Full‑cover portrait with sun flare and bold masthead

Audience: National readership responding to Bowie’s passing

Context & Notes

The layout uses bold yellow and white typography over a striking, sun‑lit photograph. Bowie stands centre‑frame, arms crossed, exuding confidence and serenity. The CULTURE masthead dominates the upper third, while the headline “A SUPER STAR” anchors the composition. The warm lighting and dramatic glow create an almost celestial effect, reinforcing the commemorative tone typical of early 2016 Bowie tributes.

“A SUPER STAR.”   — The Sunday Times – Culture, 17 January 2016

Sources —

The Sunday Times – Culture (January 17, 2016) Publication data sourced from 2016 Culture archives Context verified from post‑Blackstar tribute coverage

Related Material —

• David Bowie – The Golden Years (Jan. 17, 2016)  

• David Bowie – Glam Slam Guide  

• Blackstar Album: 2016

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Copyright Notice — David Bowie Cover (The Sunday Times – Culture, Jan. 17, 2016)

All magazine artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Archive Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

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