David Bowie (July 15, 1978) "Book of Bowie" - Melody Maker

Melody Maker promotional advertisement for the Book of Bowie, featuring a striking line drawing of Bowie and the tagline “You’re face to face with the man who sold the world...”

Publication: 

Melody Maker

Date: July 15, 1978

Country: United Kingdom

Section: Book Advertisement

The advert highlights the inclusion of lavish colour and monotone action photographs from Bowie’s recent American tour, offering fans a rare visual record of his late‑1970s stage presence. A small inset of the book cover shows Bowie smiling on stage in a sailor cap, reinforcing the publication’s blend of archival depth and contemporary relevance. Priced at 65p, the Melody Maker Book Of Bowie is presented as an essential collector’s item for readers seeking a complete, up‑to‑date portrait of one of rock’s most innovative and continually evolving figures.

THE STORY	WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Advertisement for the Book of Bowie, highlighting a major retrospective on David Bowie’s career. The ad includes a detailed line drawing of Bowie and promotes the book as containing lyrics, rare photographs, discography, and insights into his Ziggy Stardust era and beyond.	• Dramatic black-and-white line drawing of Bowie’s face • Bold tagline: “You’re face to face with the man who sold the world...” • Prominent “BOOK OF BOWIE” branding • Small inset photo and promotional text

CONTEXT AND NOTES	RELATED MATERIAL
This July 15, 1978 advertisement appears during a period of reflection on Bowie’s career following the Berlin Trilogy. The Book of Bowie served as a comprehensive visual and textual archive, celebrating his transformation from Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke and beyond.	For more similar posts, check out the tags at the bottom of the page.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS	SOURCES
Event: Book advertisement Era: 1978 (Post-Berlin era) Tone: Mythic, retrospective, promotional Photography: Line drawing + inset photo	• Melody Maker, July 15, 1978

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