David Bowie (October 18, 1975) – “A Mother’s Anguish: David Never Comes To See Me” Feature - Daily Mirror

Oct 17, 1975

3 min read

This deeply personal newspaper feature centres on David Bowie’s mother, Mrs Jones, speaking candidly about the distance that had developed between herself and her son. In conversation with Charles Shaar Murray, she discusses Bowie’s childhood, family life, his rise to fame and her sadness at having little contact with him.

Publication: Daily Mirror

Date: October 18, 1975

Country: United Kingdom

Under the striking headline “A Mother’s Anguish” and subheading “David Never Comes To See Me”, Charles Shaar Murray visits Mrs Jones at her home and allows her to speak at length about her relationship with David Bowie.

The feature presents the home as containing reminders of Bowie’s career, including a painting connected with the Space Oddity period and a painting of Bowie as Ziggy Stardust. Against this backdrop, Mrs Jones talks about her son’s childhood and the personality she remembers from his younger years.

She recalls Bowie as being highly sensitive and discusses the importance of music in his early life. The article touches on his education at Bromley Technical College and his growing interest in performance before his eventual emergence as a successful recording artist.

Much of the article, however, is concerned with the distance between mother and son. Mrs Jones says Bowie rarely visits and speaks openly about how much this troubles her. She expresses a desire not for financial assistance or any benefit from his success, but simply for a closer relationship and more regular contact.

The interview also discusses Bowie’s father and the impact his passing had on the family. Mrs Jones recalls the difficulties that followed and explains how family circumstances influenced her own life. These recollections provide a domestic perspective on Bowie’s background that contrasts sharply with the public image of international rock stardom.

The feature concludes with Mrs Jones reflecting on Bowie’s success and her continuing affection for him. Despite the estrangement described throughout the article, her comments emphasise that she remains proud of her son and hopes that their relationship might become closer.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

The feature is unusual because David Bowie is discussed almost entirely through the recollections of his mother rather than through an interview with Bowie himself. Charles Shaar Murray uses the domestic setting and Mrs Jones’s own words to contrast the international celebrity with the family life left behind.

Published in 1975, the article finds Bowie’s mother looking back across his childhood, education and early ambitions while attempting to understand the distance that had developed between them.

The accompanying photograph shows Mrs Jones inside the home holding a framed childhood photograph of Bowie, reinforcing the intensely personal nature of the story.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Interview with David Bowie’s mother about her son and their relationship

Era: 1975 David Bowie period

Tone: Personal, candid and reflective

Photography: Interior photograph of Mrs Jones holding a framed childhood photograph of David Bowie

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Feature headlined “A Mother’s Anguish”

• Charles Shaar Murray interviewing David Bowie’s mother

• Recollections of Bowie’s childhood and early interest in music

• Discussion of the distance that had developed between mother and son

• Family memories and reflections on Bowie’s rise to fame

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