interesting place to land on planet Bowie. yes that was Luther V. and also Ava Cherry. the incredible sax David Sanborn. this was Bowie's philly soul period. his body and voice suffering from cocaine use but he still had that charisma. there are many different musical and visual styles of Bowie. he transformed from album to album. his live performances always deliver.

Just understand that David Bowie was the greatest musical genius of the last 100 years; and he's been dead for five. He's a Beethoven type. Heavy metal before it got heavy, acknowledged originator of glam rock, disco as disco was forming, music videos before MTV formed, the wave that brought New Wave, Retro rock before it retroed, grungy before grunge, rock-jazz-hiphop before any of them were aware it could be done, went to "fuck you I'm going to do what I want" when other artists were trying to recapture the "youthful glory days," created at least two rock musicals on the fly, and -- when he knew he was dying -- delivered the requiem of all requiems. And, in his off time, raised a world-class director and a beautiful girl, gave millions to charity and also his girl's nanny, personal housekeeper, etc., married a supermodel, acted in more projects than you can complete in your life, and created paintings, poems, and his own damned website. That's a helluva life for not even living to 70.

@brucedillinger9448

2 жыл бұрын

"...when he knew he was dying..." That still hits hard.

@robinholland1574

2 жыл бұрын

I agree! What a well-thought-out tribute to a man who, let's face it, broke the mold when he landed here. He was ALWAYS a step ahead of every trend. Every single one. And a master at marketing (I do a fair bit myself). He was charismatic and compelling. Some performers own the stage when they perform. You know who they are. They are big...huge personalities like Bowie. I am thinking of other very charismatic musicians such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Chaka Khan, The Wilson sisters (Ann & Nancy), Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Tori Amos, Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, Stevie Nicks, Diana Ross, Beyonce, and many others who could only DREAM of the longevity of David Bowie. When you see these people on the TV screen or better yet at a concert you can not look away. They are fascinating to watch! They stir emotions in their lyrics, their passionate performances and their musical interpretation. And yes! We have The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and The Who but if you'll notice they are still doing the same thing they did when they first started. Through the years they have been doing the same songs (or songs that are created with the same three notes, and a formula, so that it might as well be the same songs), the same dress, the same stage moves, same makeup, same hairstyle, even! And there is nothing wrong with that. But artists generally want to stand out, be progressive and move people. David Bowie was all that. Bowie was constantly updating his image, creating a new look and sound, and collaborating even when others said it couldn't or shouldn't be done. He was a master. He blew me away with Lazarus. I still cannot bear to listen to the entire LP. I'll pick up a song here or there. He was absolutely brilliant until the very end. And a class act too. How many of us would have the forethought to imagine and do the work for Lazarus in our last days? I cannot even imagine.

I Waa lucky enough to have seen him live twice over the years and he was absolutely mesmerising

Pat: I guess I expected him to sing a different way Me: He does ... Bowie was the ultimate chameleon. He changed ... regularly.

Yes. It was Luther Vandross. David Bowie gave him his first big breakthrough in the music business by putting him on.yjis record. For that alone we are eternally grateful to Mr r Bowie

Dude with the guitar is Carlos Alomar. He's now a professor of music. So glad you find David relatable.

Coked out of his head and still owning the stage... legend!

David was at probably 60% on this performance. He was really ill here. Still a soecial performance and a big part of his story and how he survived

@v.j.3029

2 жыл бұрын

That would probably explain why he couldn’t hit that high note at the end of the song. I was a bit sad not hearing it.

@Kainlarsen

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I remember reading his biography... at his worst, he was pretty much only eating peppers. My dad, who is the biggest Bowie fan I know, said around that time was when he just looked so unwell.

David Bowie is beyond a shadow of a doubt the Greatest artist of all time. They can try but no one will ever be as cool,or talented in so many of the arts. His music is a treasure. MORE!!!!!!

David Bowie was one of the most versatile performers in terms of the styles he could do well. He and Prince might be two of the most amazing artists in terms of being able to tackle any style of music and make it sound incredible. The album that this song comes from is also called Young Americans, and IIRC it was inspired by one of his early US tours when he fell in love with the "Philadelphia Soul" sound. And yes, some iconic soul artists are singing backup in this performance and on the album, including Mr. Luther Vandross. This is probably my favorite song of his, and this is one of the better live performances that comes from the era the song was released. However, due to some of the poor production, such as the mics on some of the instruments being way too hot (I blame the TV studio sound engineers) I prefer the album version better than this one. As for the lyrics, this is a very deep song, and it offers a "Brit's eye view" of some social, economic, and personal struggles in our country.

Bowie is a music genre all of his own!

Check out the Young American's album. Full of soul and had his first US nos 1 in Fame from there. Also Golden Years. Yes, a young Luthor in the background! :)

Considering how coked-up to the gills he was, it's still an iconic performance.

@xScooterAZx

2 жыл бұрын

And just how do you know for sure how coked up he was? Were you there?

@king-dl2qt

Жыл бұрын

He is a David bowie expert 🤣🤣🤣

As said - Bowie's vibe is awesome. This is not a great representation of his vocals - this was during his coke-up era - but still - wow!

@brucedillinger9448

2 жыл бұрын

...but still WOW! You said it all. ✌

the greatest collaboratervever

Yes Luther Vandross on backing vocals. How David met Luther is legend.

Very Cool. Bowie Best of the Best 🤗 😊 🎧🎼🎹🎤😁

WOW

Who can forget that LEGEND?

I’m so excited for you! Bowie is my favorite, but even calling him that does not capture the impact he and his music has had on my life. Welcome! You’re in for a wonderful ride.

@brucedillinger9448

2 жыл бұрын

He's my favorite too.

I love Bowie, but this is my favorite song from him!

Yes that’s a young Luthier on backing vocals

Pure soul! Perfect performance!

The song called "Right" from That album is amazing, check nachos video.

Always a favourite. Check out "under pressure" with Freddie Mercury/ or Annie Lennox & then to "little Drummer boy" with bing crosby- you'll see his range & amazing voice.

Studio version is so much better. Can't go wrong with Bowie. Great reaction and thanks for letting the song/video play through before commenting.

1975... you should play the whole album "Young Americans ". A young Luther Vandross on backing vocals...

Love Bowie ❤️ Look 👀 up Heroes live 2002 or All the Young Dude’s @The Freddie Mercury tribute concert. Thanks 🙏

Always in my top 10

god i luv them young

Oh and did every one notice Luther in the back ground singers. Yup...it's the one and only.

Yeah, I LOVE him - and I love this performance- even tho he’s coked to the gills, and his voice is tired. And Luther Vandross, backing vocals (Damn no money for wardrobe?) David Sanborn on great sax

David's voice was a ragged but the background singing waexcellent. Listen to the studio version

@xScooterAZx

2 жыл бұрын

He was ill here.

wow...they don't call him the 'thin white dude " for nothin'...LOL.....I love him and his music....SUPERSTAR !

@gregmerck4972

2 жыл бұрын

Duke, not dude.

Look again. That’s Patti LaBelle back there as well!

David Bowie to do list: Heroes Space Oddity Rebel Rebel Let's Dance Suffragette city Diamond Dog

Great reaction thank you very much, I think David was ill here.. Voice cracks

Not his best performance, he was coked off his face lol, but still iconic. He was only the 2nd white artist to appear on Soul Train. He always appreciated and promoted black artists. That's Luther Vandross in his backing singers. You should google his interview with MTV, at the height of his fame, where he completely turns the interview around, onto the MTV exec, who had been so excited to have Bowie on but instead Bowie, live, calls MTV out on their racist policy. Btw, if you listen to more Bowie and wonder why there's often a sax played on his tracks, it's because, although Bowie was a multi-instrumentalist, the saxophone was his first love. On most of his studio work, it's Bowie playing. :)

In 1987, it was like a beautiful, gay Elvis walked out on the stage. Never one to shy from controversy. RIP.

if this not groovin ... nothin is 🔥👍👍

Try We can be heroes and Space Oddity. You won't be dissapointed!

He had many styles and was a chameleon of it ...

Luther Vandross not only sang but arranged the back up vocals on this album. The beautiful African American singer with the blonde hair is Ava Cherry, who was dating Bowie at the time. Should also note that Bowie was ill and losing his voice during this performance. Check out the album version or other live performances for his real power.

@lisasmithline1386

2 жыл бұрын

Please listen to the album version of this song. Try Golden Years, also; there is rapping going on here!

@madgemuso7314

2 жыл бұрын

Bowie arranged the backing vocals. There’s fly in the wall film footage of him referring to his notes and explaining what he wanted to his backing vocalists. It’s in Nacho Video and the Cracked actor documentary. Obviously it was a collaboration of great talents and I’m sure they must have improvised but he directed how he wanted it to sound.

Luther did all of the vocal arrangements on this album, and sang background on many of the tracks.

@bobwoolerOriGinal

2 жыл бұрын

No, Bowie was heavy into those arrangements too.

@lamusiclover2264

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobwoolerOriGinalI read tthat it was the first time Bowie we used background singers on an album. I'm sure he had input but he relied on Luther Vandross to do the majority of the background R&B vocals, as many artists have done.

@bobwoolerOriGinal

2 жыл бұрын

@@lamusiclover2264 Yeah, you're obviously right, LV arranged the harmonies all the way through, but footage from the Stigma studio sessions suggests Bowie had big input on where and how he wanted the bacing vox to be. (what do you mean by " the first time (...) *we* used background singers on an album?)

@lamusiclover2264

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobwoolerOriGinal It was a typo...I fixed it.

@madgemuso7314

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobwoolerOriGinal yes you can see video footage of him referring to and writing notes for the vocal harmonies on Nacho Video and the Cracked Actor film. It was a collaboration of talent but he was the “conductor” of sorts.

you have a good eye to spot Luther

His voice is fried here but cool anyway.

listen to him talk about music

His voice had completely gone in this performance.

His voice is completely shot. Pat, have you got worms?

That night he was pretty much high on coke. Still amazing

Yes that's Luther Vandross

Yes you did. You saw the man. Luther.

Probably his worst vocal performance but the song’s brilliance still shines through.

@awordfrompresidentpat1985

2 жыл бұрын

Was it? Maybe I should check out more of his performances. I don’t think I’ve seen enough of his performances to compare his vocals. This was my first time actually watching him perform something. I like the song too.

@suz5862

2 жыл бұрын

@@awordfrompresidentpat1985 There is not a lot of footage of Bowie doing this song live (I read because he did not care for it but I find that hard to believe). I recommend you check out the studio version - it is sublime. ☺️🤗👏

It's weird to see this guy's astonishment watching Bowie's video. Now he doesn't know who David Bowie is, what planet does he live on? Go wash some dishes, man!

This was great because it highlighted the amazing backup singers,but David's voice was trashed because of cocaine and overuse,give the recorded version a listen

His voice is not right here. I suspect throat trouble or maybe he just has a cold.