David Bowie and the West End (1 Viewer)

joemercersaces · Jan 12, 2016

How things change. A couple of days ago I drove through the tight, terraced streets at the back of the old West End (never, for me 'West Terrace'), scene of many a running battle in the early 70s. How I loved the West End then, the packed Cov mob behind the goal, the away fans a gangway away, coppers between. It kicked off every week unless we were playing QPR, Ipswich or Norwich. Sometimes we were surrounded, occasionally overrun and sometimes heroic. Medieval battles on Gosford Green, police horses charging. And the deafening noise under that roof!

All to a soundtrack of growing up to Bowie. My old man couldn't stand him. Feather cuts everywhere, along with the tank tops, Oxford bags and wedges. Older fans may share some of the sense of loss as a part of my teenage self dies. RIP Starman.

clint van damme · Jan 12, 2016

It's a little known fact that those running battles in the west end were the inspiration behind much of Bowies early work.

Bloke told me in the Brewer.

sotonskyblue · Jan 12, 2016

Yesterday felt a very strange day for me almost a bit like when Diana died. It felt very personal. Fortunately I was at work so had to concentrate on other things. I had the great pleasure of seeing him twice, both times at the NEC, in the Lets dance/china girl era. What a fantastic performer and influence on 20th century pop. A true giant of his era. To quote from one of his songs "wham bam thank you man".

David Bowie RIP

Hadji10 · Jan 12, 2016

Listen and watch his latest music video called 'lazarus'

Very very poignant, and weird.

Joy Division · Jan 12, 2016

I'm hoping they play some Bowie at the Ricoh before the game tonight. Gene Genie would sound great as the teams walk onto the pitch.

Nick · Jan 12, 2016

I wasn't really that into him, a bit too young so maybe I don't understand the hysteria.

Joy Division · Jan 12, 2016

Nick said:
I wasn't really that into him, a bit too young so maybe I don't understand the hysteria.

I was born in 1985 so I probably also qualify as too young. But he's probably the most influential artist there has been, his influence spans across so many generations. And his music is bloody brilliant.

covcity4life · Jan 12, 2016

i was born 1982 and also young but heroes is one of great songs ever, love it.

Nick · Jan 12, 2016

Joy Division said:
I was born in 1985 so I probably also qualify as too young. But he's probably the most influential artist there has been, his influence spans across so many generations. And his music is bloody brilliant.

A year after me so a bit younger, I just don't get the grown men crying approach. Very sad that anybody dies though!

covcity4life · Jan 12, 2016

im older than both of you. explains alot

#iammatureyouarenot

Joy Division · Jan 12, 2016

Nick said:
A year after me so a bit younger, I just don't get the grown men crying approach. Very sad that anybody dies though!

It affects people in different ways I guess, he was the soundtrack to the 70's for most people of that era. And that run of albums he had in the 70's was incredible, something like that will probably will never be seen again. I guess if your not into music that much it probably wouldn't affect you, understandable though.

Deleted member 4439 · Jan 12, 2016

joemercersaces said:
How things change. A couple of days ago I drove through the tight, terraced streets at the back of the old West End (never, for me 'West Terrace'), scene of many a running battle in the early 70s. How I loved the West End then, the packed Cov mob behind the goal, the away fans a gangway away, coppers between. It kicked off every week unless we were playing QPR, Ipswich or Norwich. Sometimes we were surrounded, occasionally overrun and sometimes heroic. Medieval battles on Gosford Green, police horses charging. And the deafening noise under that roof!

All to a soundtrack of growing up to Bowie. My old man couldn't stand him. Feather cuts everywhere, along with the tank tops, Oxford bags and wedges. Older fans may share some of the sense of loss as a part of my teenage self dies. RIP Starman.

All the cool dudes in my form at school had feathercuts: I was always a bit 'young' / less advanced for my years. However, when I did cotton onto Hunky Dory (his best album, in terms of creativity), it was never off the turntable*.

*Turntable: A circular horizontal rotating platform of a phonograph on which the record is placed.

martcov · Jan 12, 2016

Saw him live at the Coventry Hippodrome - Ziggy Stardust tour. Standing ticket back row 50pence. Great value and I must be getting old quoting the price......

Otis · Jan 12, 2016

Nick said:
A year after me so a bit younger, I just don't get the grown men crying approach. Very sad that anybody dies though!

I cried when I heard, Nick and then again last night during the 30 min tribute programme the Beeb aired at 7.30.

Just such an important artist and a person who had a profound effect on many lives.

Still feel like crying now.

lordsummerisle · Jan 12, 2016

Me in work today..

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/...rk-with-lightning-bolt-make-up-20160112105259

jimmyhillsfanclub · Jan 12, 2016

i’m also doing loads of drugs, which has really supercharged my bollockings of junior staff.”

:d:d:d

Nick · Jan 12, 2016

Otis said:
I cried when I heard, Nick and then again last night during the 30 min tribute programme the Beeb aired at 7.30.

Just such an important artist and a person who had a profound effect on many lives.

Still feel like crying now.

Genuine Question (not being sarcastic). What did he do to change lives etc?

Joy Division · Jan 12, 2016

He made it acceptable to be different, made it cool to be a bit weird.

jimmyhillsfanclub · Jan 12, 2016

He emboldened people.....gave folk courage to live their own lives.....escape the box they were expected to stay in....& inspired several generations of artists & musos around the globe...

hamil99 · Jan 12, 2016

Come on it's not like Lemmy died.... Oh wait .

Nick · Jan 12, 2016

jimmyhillsfanclub said:
He emboldened people.....gave folk courage to live their own lives.....escape the box they were expected to stay in....& inspired several generations of artists & musos around the globe...

It may have just been before my time so I can't see it / understand it. I can't really see any "artists" from when I was growing up I could say the same about.

Brylowes · Jan 12, 2016

Joy Division said:
He made it acceptable to be different, made it cool to be a bit weird.

He could act as well.Was brilliant in stellar street.

jimmyhillsfanclub · Jan 12, 2016

Nick said:
I can't really see any "artists" from when I was growing up I could say the same about.

Exactly.

He was unique. A real Genius.

....but all the artists that entertained you while you were growing up will almost definitely ALL have been influenced in some way by Bowie.

Monkeyface · Jan 12, 2016

I'm 40 this year, and my partner is a similar age to you Nick and one of the odd things we have noticed is how different things were growing up, and we're only talking a decade. We live in a very liberated age, although some might argue, it really is. Now I'm not old enough to remember Bowie breaking boundaries and attitudes, but just applying my experiences of things to my partners, and seeing the difference in how society accepts people, I can only imagine how amazing it must have felt seeing this freak on TV, and knowing you're not alone in being different. I know it's not easy to grasp, and get why you wouldn't understand, but that's because much of the work has been done (although not complete). Bowie, Mercury and many more helped make so much possible for people that didn't fit into a predetermined box. The man was a legend, and the world is rightly morning his death.

Otis · Jan 12, 2016

jimmyhillsfanclub said:
He emboldened people.....gave folk courage to live their own lives.....escape the box they were expected to stay in....& inspired several generations of artists & musos around the globe...

Yep, would echo this.

This is a bloke who was almost gender neutral. Loved by men and women alike.

Guess he made it okay to be different and at least to a degree to be cool being different too.

I mean this is bloke in 1972 in a dress! Just have to put it in context just how out of the norm that was in the very sexist 70's.

He was just always at the forefront of every movement, or he moved with the times and became whatever he needed to be, or wanted to be.

Groundbreaking and inspiring and you only have to listen to how many artists who say they were inspired by him and influenced by him to realise just how important he was.

Joy Division · Jan 12, 2016

Nick said:
It may have just been before my time so I can't see it / understand it. I can't really see any "artists" from when I was growing up I could say the same about.

I know its not from our time but Joy Division (the band not me!) would never have happened if it wasn't for Bowie, Ian Curtis was infatuated by him which is a huge reason he wrote lyrics and wanted to be in a band. Joy Division and Bowie don't sound alike but just goes to show how he captured the attention of people.

Nick · Jan 12, 2016

Monkeyface said:
I'm 40 this year, and my partner is a similar age to you Nick and one of the odd things we have noticed is how different things were growing up, and we're only talking a decade. We live in a very liberated age, although some might argue, it really is. Now I'm not old enough to remember Bowie breaking boundaries and attitudes, but just applying my experiences of things to my partners, and seeing the difference in how society accepts people, I can only imagine how amazing it must have felt seeing this freak on TV, and knowing you're not alone in being different. I know it's not easy to grasp, and get why you wouldn't understand, but that's because much of the work has been done (although not complete). Bowie, Mercury and many more helped make so much possible for people that didn't fit into a predetermined box. The man was a legend, and the world is rightly morning his death.

I agree with that, I guess I have missed the years before when people weren't accepted.

Otis · Jan 12, 2016

Joy Division said:
I know its not from our time but Joy Division (the band not me!) would never have happened if it wasn't for Bowie, Ian Curtis was infatuated by him which is a huge reason he wrote lyrics and wanted to be in a band. Joy Division and Bowie don't sound alike but just goes to show how he captured the attention of people.

Fair point. Tchaikovsky very much influenced me and had an effect on me.

He's not of my time either.

Same too for Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway.

Grendel · Jan 12, 2016

jimmyhillsfanclub said:
Exactly.

He was unique. A real Genius.

....but all the artists that entertained you while you were growing up will almost definitely ALL have been influenced in some way by Bowie.

Not really. Black Sabbath and AC / DC weren't.

Grendel · Jan 12, 2016

Nick said:
It may have just been before my time so I can't see it / understand it. I can't really see any "artists" from when I was growing up I could say the same about.

I'm old enough, I have over 1,000 albums of various artists, and I don't get it either. People can like his music but they didn't actually know him. It's a mass hysteria thing I guess

olderskyblue · Jan 12, 2016

Monkeyface said:
I'm 40 this year, and my partner is a similar age to you Nick and one of the odd things we have noticed is how different things were growing up, and we're only talking a decade. We live in a very liberated age, although some might argue, it really is. Now I'm not old enough to remember Bowie breaking boundaries and attitudes, but just applying my experiences of things to my partners, and seeing the difference in how society accepts people, I can only imagine how amazing it must have felt seeing this freak on TV, and knowing you're not alone in being different. I know it's not easy to grasp, and get why you wouldn't understand, but that's because much of the work has been done (although not complete). Bowie, Mercury and many more helped make so much possible for people that didn't fit into a predetermined box. The man was a legend, and the world is rightly morning his death.

The breaking boundaries bit wasn't what did it for me. I admired him for it, but it never affected how I felt. It was his music, look, and talent over the decades that I just found amazing. He changed his style and music to suit how he/we felt at the time, so it always seemed to be relevant. Legend is an overused word, but for him, it's appropriate.

usskyblue · Jan 12, 2016

If you want some real insight, go down the casino ...

King of the Lesbians · Jan 12, 2016

Grendel said:
Not really. Black Sabbath and AC / DC weren't.

Sabbath (well, Ozzy for sure) were...

OffenhamSkyBlue · Jan 12, 2016

Otis said:
Yep, would echo this.

This is a bloke who was almost gender neutral. Loved by men and women alike.

Guess he made it okay to be different and at least to a degree to be cool being different too.

I mean this is bloke in 1972 in a dress! Just have to put it in context just how out of the norm that was in the very sexist 70's.

He was just always at the forefront of every movement, or he moved with the times and became whatever he needed to be, or wanted to be.

Groundbreaking and inspiring and you only have to listen to how many artists who say they were inspired by him and influenced by him to realise just how important he was.

Agree with all that, Otis. What I *don't* get is why people feel the need to lose all self-control and collapse into a blubbering heap of snot when someone they never met dies. These public outpourings of grief never happened until Princess Di carked it, and have only got worse since the advent of "social media". I saw someone write yesterday that the British stiff upper lip has been swapped for a quivering lower one!

Grendel · Jan 12, 2016

King of the Lesbians said:
Sabbath (well, Ozzy for sure) were...

No they weren't - Ozzbourne always sites Beatles as his biggest influence

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