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David Bowie (May 19 1979) I Wanted to Be the Rock Tony Newley

  • Writer: David Bowie
    David Bowie
  • May 19, 1979
  • 1 min read

Updated: May 6


Publication: New Musical Express   Date: May 19 1979

Country: United Kingdom Section / Pages: Feature Article / Music News Title: Bland Out in a Moonage Daydream   Author: Aladdin Print Thrills


Overview

This NME feature from May 19 1979 captures David Bowie in conversation with fans during a Capital Radio broadcast promoting his new album Lodger. The article’s tone is witty and sardonic, reflecting the paper’s late‑’70s editorial style — half admiration, half provocation.


“I’ve never been convinced I’m a musician. I just put ideas together … I’ve got to do it — like  sneezing!”   — David Bowie, NME, 19 May 1979


Bowie discusses his creative process, influences, and ambivalence toward fame, describing himself as “not convinced I’m a musician” and likening his need to create to “sneezing.” He also outlines the conceptual framework of Lodger, touching on tracks like “Fantastic Voyage,” “Red Sails,” “I Am a DJ,” and “Repetition,” while revealing his fascination with travel, alienation, and the absurdity of modern life. The accompanying photograph shows Bowie seated with a dog, captioned “David and furry friend,” symbolising his quieter, more introspective persona during the Lodger era.



David Bowie – “Bland Out in a Moonage Daydream,”  NME, May 19  1979.
David Bowie – “Bland Out in a Moonage Daydream,”  NME, May 19  1979.
“I’ve always used outer space as a metaphor for my own inner space.”  

Feature Highlights

  • Context: Capital Radio Q&A with 12 fans hosted by Nicky Horne

  • Album: Lodger (Released May 1979)

  • Themes: Artistic restlessness, self‑reflection, and creative process

  • Tone: Playful yet philosophical — Bowie as the “Laughing Bore” of his own myth

  • Visuals: Monochrome portrait of Bowie with dog, captioned “David and furry friend”


Related Material — 

David Bowie Feature 

(NME May 19 1979)

  • David Bowie – Star Special (May 20 1979)

  • David Bowie – Lodger Advert (May 26 1979)

  • Bowie LP Exclusive – Cover Feature (May 5 1979)

Design Notes

The article’s layout and language typify NME’s irreverent style — sharp, literate, and teasing. It situates Bowie at a crossroads between his Berlin Trilogy experimentation and the emerging pop sensibility of the early ’80s.





Sources — 

David Bowie Feature 

(NME May 19 1979)

  • Publication data sourced from New Musical Express archive records (1979)

  • Text verified from visible article content


© Copyright Notice — David Bowie Feature (NME May 19 1979)**

All magazine artwork, photographs, logos, 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.


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