Hope Davis
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Known as one of the most influential rock musicians of all time, David Bowie was an English singer and songwriter. He was well known for his glam rock image that was developed throughout his career with his many outrageous changes to his persona.
With hit songs from the beginning of his career, such as “Space Oddity” and “Changes,” David Bowie led a phenomenal career. If you are a fan of this legendary musician, you may be interested to learn more about him with these 17 David Bowie Facts.
1. How Tall Was David Bowie?
David Bowie was always seen on stage in his outrageous outfits and was deemed a tall, thin musician throughout his career. He stood tall at approximately 5 feet 10 inches in height.
2. What Was David Bowie’s Real Name?
In 1947, David Bowie was born in Brixton, South London, England as David Robert Jones. Although he began his musical career as Davy Jones, he later changed it to David Bowie so he would not be confused with Monkee singer Davy Jones.
3. How He Chose His Stage Last Name
David chose his stage name in part for the famous knife, the Bowie Knife, which symbolized to him a “truism about cutting through the lies and all that.” He wanted a name that meant something and to show the world who he truly was.
Related: David Bowie’s Net Worth
4. Also Known as Ziggy Stardust
Most people who have heard of David Bowie, also know that he was known to take on various personas throughout his career. But did you know that his year-long persona as Ziggy Stardust made him feel like he was going insane, which is why he abandoned it?
5. David Bowie Was Once Arrested
You may not know this, but in 1976 after a concert in New York City, David Bowie was arrested alongside Iggy Pop for possession of marijuana. Although the charge was later dismissed by the Grand Jury, it still made top news all around the world.
6. David Bowie and His Different-Colored Eyes
Despite many fans believing Bowie had heterochromia, a condition that causes his eyes to have different colors, this was not the case. His pupil was permanently dilated as a result of anisocoria. The punch he received when he was 15 years old caused this injury.
7. Bowie Founded a Society for Long-Haired Men
At the tender age of 17 years old, David Bowie founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men. He desired to make people aware that it was okay for men to sport long hair without being made fun of or questioned about it. This tended to be viewed as a publicity stunt.
8. He Was Once Struck by a Lollipop
When he was onstage in Oslo, Norway during one of his concerts, David Bowie was hit in the eye with a lollipop. Even though no one knows where it came from or why, the incident has been talked about for many years after.
9. Bowie Sent a Pig Fetus as a Gift
Seeing that other artists had sent gifts after being interviewed by Rolling Stone Magazine, David Bowie decided to send his gift to David Wild. The gift he chose was a pig fetus in a jar, although it was confiscated by customs and never received.
10. David Bowie Had a Pink Bunny Stalker
Although it seems like something made up by the iconic musician himself, David Bowie really did have a stalker. This person dressed up in a pink bunny costume and was seen popping up at various venues and even on an airplane that Bowie boarded after a tour.
11. Bowie Declined Being Knighted
It has been reported that David Bowie was offered two different honors by the English government, both of which he declined. He was offered the CBE, or Commander of the Order of the British Empire, in 2000, and three years later, was offered a knighthood, but he declined both.
Related: 25 Best David Bowie Songs from “Space Oddity” to “Blackstar”
12. David Bowie Had Two Famous Childhood Friends
Although he was a few years older than Peter Frampton, the pair became quick friends as teenagers in high school and remained so until his death. Interestingly enough, Bowie was also friends with Elton John as a teen, even though they had a rift that kept them from talking much for about 40 years.
13. Did You Know that Bowie’s Voice was Once on SpongeBob?
It is true, in 2007, the character Lord Royal Highness, voiced by none other than David Bowie appeared on the episode “Atlantis SquarePantis.”
14. Bowie’s Brother Was His Inspiration
When Bowie and Terry Burns were children, they went to concerts together, talked, and read novels together. A mental illness eventually led to Burns’ institutionalization. Later, he broke out and committed suicide, which inspired Bowie to write “All the Madmen.” He also inspired the song “The Bewley Brothers.”
15. Blackstar Was His Parting Gift
In January 2016, on his birthday, the last album ever produced by Bowie, Blackstar, was released. Two days after his birthday and the release of this album, David Bowie succumbed to cancer that he had been suffering from and passed away at his home.
16. His Fame is Thanks to the Moon Landing
If it wasn’t for BBC using the song “Space Oddity,” during the moon landing broadcast in 1969, it’s likely you never would have heard of David Bowie. Don’t tell this to the moon landing conspiracy theorists, or they’ll just add it to their idea that the event was a sham.
17. He Was One of the First Stars to Come Out as Bisexual
David Bowie came out as gay in 1972, admitting he was bisexual shortly after. He was one of the first stars to do so, with his friend Elton John following his lead and coming out just 4 years later in 1976.
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