📰 When Bowie Blessed the Strawbs‑Article : 1972
- David Bowie
- Nov 1, 1972
- 2 min read
A warm, reflective Circus Magazine feature recounting the unlikely moment David Bowie crossed paths with the Strawbs — offering praise, inspiration and a brief but memorable blessing to a band in the midst of artistic transformation.
Circus Magazine
Date: 1972
Format: One‑page article
A moment of mutual respect, folk‑rock evolution and early‑’70s creative cross‑pollination.
đź“° Key Highlights
• Bowie invited to a TV studio to interpret a Strawbs performance
• He expresses admiration for their songwriting and musical direction
• Article traces the Strawbs’ shift from gentle folk to dynamic rock
• Rick Wakeman’s early tenure with the band highlighted
• Blue Weaver’s contributions to their evolving sound explored
đź“° Overview
This *Circus* feature by Janis Schacht captures a small but telling intersection between Bowie and the Strawbs — a moment when Bowie, already rising fast, publicly acknowledged the band’s depth and potential. The article uses this encounter as a springboard to explore the Strawbs’ history, their stylistic evolution and the musicians who helped shape their sound.
đź“° Source Details
Publication / Venue: Circus Magazine
Date: 1972
Format: One‑page feature
Provenance Notes: Based on the original Circus article by Janis Schacht.
đź“° The Story
The article weaves together:
• **Bowie’s appearance in a TV studio**, where he was asked to interpret a Strawbs song
• **His genuine appreciation**, noting their lyrical strength and emotional range
• **The Strawbs’ origins**, rooted in folk clubs and acoustic storytelling
• **Rick Wakeman’s early breakthrough**, gaining visibility through the band before joining Yes
• **Blue Weaver’s role**, adding texture and drive to their early‑’70s sound
• **Albums such as *Antiques and Curios* and *Grave New World***, marking their transition into a more ambitious, progressive direction
The tone is affectionate and slightly nostalgic, presenting Bowie not as a superstar but as a perceptive peer recognising artistry in others.
đź“° Visual Archive
• Black‑and‑white photo of the Strawbs in their early years
• Poetic excerpt from “New World” (from *Grave New World*)
• Classic Circus layout with narrative emphasis and band history framing
Bowie and the Strawbs in ’72 — two paths crossing briefly, illuminating each other in the process.
đź“° Closing Notes
This Circus feature stands as a reminder of Bowie’s generosity as an artist — and of the Strawbs’ rich, often under‑acknowledged place in the early‑’70s musical landscape.
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