There’s a Starman waiting in Dundee
Image from Pexels
By Abbey Mcllear
A Scottish city is making history, displaying 200 pieces from the David Bowie archive.
Born David Robert Jones but better known as David Bowie, the late music star was one of the most influential characters of the 20th century. He was most known for his presence in music, art and acting.
The David Bowie: On Tour Archive in Dundee is an opportunity to remember one of the greats, explore his remarkable career and understand the impact he made before his untimely death in 2016.
Prized items like Ziggy Stardust’s acoustic guitar make their first public display. Also on display is Bowie’s lightning-bolt stage costume, the keys to his Berlin apartment, script notes from Labyrinth, the ashes-to-ashes costume and handwritten lyrics from some of his songs.
Fans can relive live performances through photographs, concert memorabilia, costumes from across his career and private notes on scripts and lyrics.
This humanises the legend we know from TV and stage and makes him a person with real thoughts and feelings.
Lifelong fan Maureen Malone said: “He was one of the best guys going.”
She recalls what first drew her attention to Bowie was “his different styles and the ways he’d do his make up to showcase his eras”.
Songs like “Let’s Dance”, “Magic Dance” and “Space Oddity” are songs that Maureen loves.
She said: “Diamond Dogs was an amazing album, It’s by far the best. But all his music is fantastic.
“The late 70s and 80s were my favourite eras”, referencing names like “The Thin White Duke” and “Jareth the Goblin King.
“I’d love to go and see it. It drew my attention right away and to be able to see it all would be a wonderful experience. I couldn’t just pick one thing I’d want to see because it’s all magnificent.
“He was just mesmerising. He grabbed my attention when he first debuted. He was so eccentric yet normal right to the end. He was well ahead of his time, and I think everyone didn’t know they’d miss him until he was gone. I forget I miss him until I see it all laid out in front of me.”
Dundee wasn’t just a random whim location. Bowie had a preexisting relationship with the city. In 1966 he performed in the city’s Caird Hall and returned in 1973 during his famous Ziggy Stardust tour, attracting around 2500 people, which was a sold-out show.
This tour helps preserve a legend for a new generation as well as older ones. He influenced not just the ordinary man and woman but also other artists. His music has been sampled by Dr Dre and Jay-Z. The first ever concert Madonna attended was Bowie’s Diamond Dogs Tour. He also collaborated with The Rolling Stone and sang with Queen. He was open about his sexuality at a time when it was illegal to come out.
David Bowie: On Tour is more than just an exhibition about a dead celebrity. It’s the revival of a life story. It shows his creativity, his imagination and personality in so many art forms.
Starting in Dundee for its UK tour, it allows locals and travelling Scottish fans to celebrate the personal connection he had with the city. The tour will then travel to Blackpool, County Durham, Hull and Bristol, with more venues to be added.