David Bowie (July 26, 1980) NME Subscription Advertisement – New Musical Express

A full‑page subscription advertisement from New Musical Express featuring David Bowie in his Pierrot costume from the Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) period, used as the visual centerpiece for the magazine’s promotional campaign.

Designer: IPC Magazines Advertising Department

Photographer: Brian Duffy (credited image source for  Scary Monsters sessions)

Artist: David Bowie

Date: July 26, 1980

Length: 3 min read

The advertisement invites readers to subscribe to NME by post, listing rates for the UK, USA & Canada, and other countries. Bowie’s Pierrot figure dominates the layout — a monochrome photograph framed within a red border under the bold headline “SUBSCRIBE.” The image, originally shot for the Scary Monsters campaign, presents Bowie in a theatrical costume with exaggerated shoulders and a pointed hat, symbolising his fusion of art, performance, and pop. Beneath the image, the text details subscription prices and mailing instructions to IPC Magazines at Kings Reach Tower, London SE1.

PUBLICATION

Publication: New Musical Express

Date: July 26 1980

Country: United Kingdom

Section / Pages: Page 41

Title: NME Subscription Advertisement – David Bowie Feature

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: NME subscription promotion featuring Bowie imagery

Era: 1980 – Scary Monsters period

Tone: Promotional and artistic

Photography: Bowie in Pierrot costume

Audience: NME readers and Bowie fans

SUBSCRIBE – David Bowie – RCA.

THE STORY BEHIND IT

By mid‑1980, Bowie was preparing for the release of Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), an album that redefined his artistic identity for the new decade. NME’s use of his Pierrot imagery reflected Bowie’s cultural ubiquity and the magazine’s alignment with avant‑garde pop. The Pierrot figure, both melancholic and iconic, symbolised Bowie’s introspection and theatricality, making him an ideal visual ambassador for NME’s readership.

NME BY POST — RATES: UK 6 months £9.00 / 1 year £18.00.

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

Event: NME subscription advertisement featuring Bowie

Era: 1980

Tone: Promotional and stylised

Photography: Bowie in Pierrot costume

Audience: British music readers and collectors

CONTEXT AND NOTES

This advertisement exemplifies how Bowie’s visual persona transcended music, influencing graphic design and magazine marketing. The Pierrot image became one of the most recognisable motifs of his career, appearing across press, posters, and album art. Its inclusion in NME’s subscription campaign underscores Bowie’s role as a cultural touchstone bridging art and commerce.

---

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This 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.

---