Bowie.net

When learning the news of David Bowie’s passing, the first thing I thought of was the New Zealand novelty band, Flight of the Concords. Do you know them? It’s a fictional band featured in a TV show of the same name. It’s quirky and weird. In one episode, Jermaine (played by Jermaine Clement) dresses up as David Bowie during a dream sequence to talk to the other band-mate, Brett.

This is what popped into my head when I thought of David Bowie. The fantastic, revolutionary musician – and I thought of a weird little TV show.

Although, I suppose it was memorable.

Via Tumbler

In my defense, I am a product of the late 80’s and 90’s – a time when Bowie was experimenting with New Wave music and unique sounds that did not always land on the radio. I didn’t really know of Bowie or his music. But I did know Nirvana and I know “The Man Who Sold the World,” which the band covered in 1994.

I am learning, though, that I may have been a huge Bowie fan and I just didn’t realize it. “Changes,” “Young Americans,” and “Let’s Dance!” All of these are songs I have loved for years – I just did not know who sang them. This wildly talented guy was everywhere. He spans generations and did so seamlessly.

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David Bowie died peacefully just two days after his birthday and the release of his last album. And just last month, Bowie achieved a life-long dream of taking his talents to the theater. His musical, Lazerus just began its off-Broadway run. Incredible accomplishments for someone who has been in the music industry for over four decades. However, more so, considering he was privately battling cancer.

In 1969, Bowie burst onto the music scene with “Space Oddity” – a song most of us should at least recognize when we hear it. You know, “Major Tom to Ground Control…”? Three years went by without much from the artist. And in 1972, Bowie re-emerged as Ziggy Stardust, an extraterrestrial sent to be a messenger of hope to humans. This alter ego launched Bowie to stardom. With his androgonous appearance, fans and critics alike couldn’t help but take notice.

Bowie is a Hall of Fame legend largely due to his experimentation and courage. You cannot possibility come up with a genre of music for this man – he was topping charts with funk, punk, rock, jazz, soul. He dabbled in New Wave music. He has collaborated with all of the greats: Pete Townsend, Queen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tina Turner and Iggy Popp. He has starred in movies, probably most notably Labyrinth in 1986. All of this while constantly pushing the envelope of the “norm” without trepidation.

Did you know, however, that Bowie was a technology-aficionado? He was selling his album online in 1996. He sold 300,000 albums. Online. In 1996. His Earthlings concert was “cybercast” in 1997. We still had dial-up in 1997! And in 1998, Bowie.net was launched – a high-speed internet service – so people could actually watch the cybercasts of his shows in better quality. Bowie.net was available until 2006, when it was shut down. All that time people could have their email be BowieFan@Bowie.net – or something like that. Cutting edge on all fronts.

It is a sad time for us – even us 80’s and 90’s kids. His songs were the soundtrack of our lives and we didn’t even realize it.  

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*Research for this blog came from a hodge-podge of resources to confirm facts. They include: 

NPR, All Things Considered  
Biogrpahy.com  
NPR, Morning Edition
Wikipedia, David Bowie