King, Queen, or Joker? Cover Feature: 1977

Bowie's 1977 Rock Star Persona Probe

Published in the UK on January 22, 1977, Rock Star magazine’s cover and four-page feature “King, Queen, or Joker?” offered an in-depth look at David Bowie during his Low era transition and reviewed the album.

Exploring his shifting personas — from Ziggy Stardust to the Berlin experimental phase — and questioning whether he was rock royalty, a regal figure, or a playful trickster. The piece examined his artistic evolution, the influence of Brian Eno, and his enigmatic public image.

KING QUEEN or JOKER?

David Hancock says: 'I'd blown my brains out in Goa; been hustled out of Baghdad on the double; got beaten up in Syria. But I wasn't ready for David Bowie.'

Feature Overview

Publication Details

Magazine: Rock Star (UK).

Date: January 22, 1977.

Format: Front cover + four-page feature.

Legacy

“King, Queen, or Joker?” is a classic 1977 Bowie press piece — reflecting the mystery and reinvention of the Berlin Trilogy period.

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