David Bowie (Sep. 1999) Repackaged & Remastered – Album Advert

A striking full‑page EMI Records advert announcing the 24‑bit digital remaster release of David Bowie’s 17 studio albums, spanning 1969–1989, presented as a definitive catalogue reissue campaign.

WRITER / ARTIST / DATE / LENGTH

Writer: EMI Records Promotional Team

Artist: David Bowie

Date: September 6–20, 1999

Length: 4 min read

OVERVIEW

Published in the UK press during September 1999, this advert announced the release of Bowie’s 17 studio albums, newly remastered to 24‑bit quality and reissued chronologically in two batches. The design combines a commanding portrait of Bowie with a grid of album covers, visually mapping his evolution from Space Oddity through Tin Machine. The campaign positioned Bowie as a timeless cultural icon while reintroducing his catalogue to a new generation of listeners.

PUBLICATION

Publication: UK Press

Date: September 6–20, 1999

Country: United Kingdom

Section / Pages: One‑Page Advert

Title: David Bowie — Repackaged & Remastered

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS  

Event: EMI Records 24‑bit remaster campaign Era: Late‑1990s / Catalogue reissue period Tone: Celebratory, archival, authoritative Photography: Close‑up portrait of Bowie with album grid Audience: Bowie collectors and music archivists

“He is a superstar, he is an icon… He is David Bowie.”

THE STORY BEHIND IT

The advert marked a major archival milestone for Bowie’s catalogue, with EMI releasing digitally remastered editions of his 17 studio albums recorded between 1969 and 1989. The campaign emphasised Bowie’s cultural stature — “one of the leading figures of the 20th century” — and presented the albums in chronological order across two release dates, September 6 and 20. The layout’s mix of portrait photography and album imagery reinforced Bowie’s enduring legacy and the depth of his artistic evolution.

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

Event: EMI Records 24‑bit remaster release

Era: 1999 / Catalogue reissue

Tone: Archival, reverent, promotional

Photography: Close‑up portrait of Bowie with album grid

Audience: Music collectors and Bowie fans

CONTEXT & NOTES

The advert’s design juxtaposes Bowie’s intense gaze with a grid of album covers, symbolising his multifaceted career. The bold red “DAVID BOWIE” headline and serif typography evoke classic EMI branding. The text highlights Bowie’s personas — The Man Who Sold the World, Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke — and situates him as a defining cultural figure of the 20th century. The campaign’s timing, just before the release of hours…, reinforced Bowie’s ongoing relevance at the turn of the millennium

“On September 6 and 20, EMI Records release David Bowie’s 17 studio albums, digitally remastered to 24 bits.”

SOURCES

EMI Records promotional materials (September 1999)

Publication verified from UK press archives

Context cross‑checked with 1999 Bowie catalogue reissue documentation

External anchors: Discogs / 45cat / Wikipedia (where applicable)

RELATED MATERIAL

• David Bowie (Oct. 1999) hours… – Album Advert

• Thursday’s Child – Single (Sep. 1999)

• hours… – Album (Sept. 1999)

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