David Bowie (September 20, 1980) – Scary Monsters Tamed at Boots NME Advertisement
This New Musical Express advertisement from September 20 1980 promotes David Bowie’s album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) as Boots’ “Disc Deal Album of the Month.” The campaign offered the LP at a discounted price of £3.99, pairing Bowie’s avant‑garde image with mainstream retail marketing.
Publication: New Musical Express Date: September 20 1980 Country: United Kingdom
The full‑page ad features a striking painterly portrait of Bowie, echoing the album’s visual aesthetic created by artist Edward Bell. The headline—“Scary Monsters tamed at Boots”—plays on the album title while emphasizing accessibility through Boots’ nationwide stores.
The text explains that Boots selects one album each month for a special discount, spotlighting Bowie’s latest release as the featured choice.
The layout combines elegant typography with the Scary Monsters artwork, reinforcing Bowie’s reputation for merging art and commerce. The campaign reflects how Bowie’s music, though experimental, was marketed to a broad audience during the post‑punk era.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Released in 1980, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) marked Bowie’s return to critical and commercial acclaim after his Berlin Trilogy.
The album’s singles—Ashes to Ashes and Fashion—became defining tracks of the decade.
This advertisement captures the intersection of Bowie’s high‑concept artistry and British retail culture, illustrating how his work transcended underground boundaries to reach everyday consumers.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS Event: Boots promotion for David Bowie’s Scary Monsters album
Era: 1980 – Post‑Berlin / New Wave Period Tone: Stylish and commercial Photography: Painterly portrait of David Bowie with muted tones and expressive brushwork
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS - Boots advertisement featuring Bowie’s album Scary Monsters - Discount offer for LP purchase at £3.99 - Integration of fine‑art portraiture with retail promotion
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