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This is an interesting book to me because it was released just after his most interesting, perhaps darkest, and creative period of his career. Artistically, he was on a high with Scary Monsters already in the bank and the German years and that trilogy casting long shadows over all that had gone before. Let's Dance and Never Let Me Down weren't there to get in the way so him talking in 1981 on his life, loves and back catalogue is rewarding to say the least. The book has loads of great pictures in black and white to go with the whirlwind of words.

From the back page:

Bowie's career has taken in the whole world of rock. Here is the man's own view of that career - the past, the present, the infinite future and all the variety of his experience in between...

Growing Up
"Everybody says 'Oh yes, my family is really mad.' Mine really is."

Rock'n'Roll
"Rock has always been the Devil's music. You can't convince me that it isn't."

Ziggy Stardust
"I packaged a totally credible plastic rock star - my plastic rocker was much more plastic than anybody's."

Love Life
"I was in love once, maybe, and it was an awful experience. It rotted me, drained me, and it was a disaster."

Emotions
"I can't feel strongly. I get so numb. I find that I'm walking around numb. I'm a bit of an iceman."

The State of Art
"I have no message whatsoever. I really have nothing to say, no suggestions, or advice. Nothing."

Creativity
"I don't think there's any point in doing anything artistically unless it astounds."

Sex
"Well, if I ever get sent to prison, I'll know how to keep happy."

Coming Distractions
"I really, honestly and truly, don't know how much longer my albums will sell. And I really don't give a shit..."

One of the interesting things for me was reading about a film that never was. It was to be on the life of Egon Schiele, around 1977 or 78, and David Bowie was pencilled in to play the lead opposite Charlotte Rampling. Clive Donner was to direct but it never came to pass.

Here, in the book, are a few things Bowie said about it.

"The film script is remarkable. The story is about the artist and his model. Wally - a part that is still up for grabs.

"I'm very excited about the whole project. It will be filmed in Vienna, Paris and London and is very quiet, and non-sensational.

"I'm not really sure if the film is going to be very commercial.

"Since The Man Who Fell To Earth, this is the first part I have really wanted. Most of the others were garbage." (October 1977)

"It was originally suggested to me that I should play the part by Clive Donner; the guy who did The Caretaker and Mulberry Bush. He sent me the original script and I jumped at the idea of it, 'cause Schiele was somebody I was aware of.

"Wally was one of his girlfriends - pronounced 'Valley'. Wally is just a working title. I think it will be changed. It will go through the time from as he was leaving Klimt as a pupil and setting himself up as a painter, through his prison sentence and to the end of his relationship with Wally.

"Charlotte Rampling is on the boards to play her at the moment. I don't have much say in the actual casting. Donner I don't know that well, but he's very, very intelligent". (June 1978)

Also, Bowie talks about appearing in Fassbinder's remake of The Threepenny Opera. He mentions seeing him in Berlin a couple of times but was never introduced to him or had a chance to chat to him.

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Condition: Acceptable. As pictured. Cover has quite a bit of wear in places as do corners. Inside book is fine. Only 1 in stock!

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