Nick on the Passing of David Bowie and related articles
January 2016
January 2016
David Bowie passed away on Sunday, 10th January 2016 after an 18-month battle with cancer and 2 days after his 69th birthday. A statement was made on his verified social media accounts (facebook and twitter) saying he "died peacefully surrounded by his family".
Bowie's son Duncan Jones, who is a Bafta-winning film director, wrote on Twitter: "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all." He released his final album Black Star on his birthday. Truly a parting gift for all -- an amazing artiste takes a bow at the end. At the time I'm writing this, I haven't heard the album yet. But it is touching and astounding how he has said goodbye. Thank you David. Below is a collection from different sources of comments Nick has made on the subject and articles that have come up in tribute/ memory to David that also mentions Nick. |
Speaking at the British GQ dinner that closed London Collections: Men on 11th January 2016
"...fascinating, funny, sharp eloquent and very caring" |
Nick Rhodes Reflects on David Bowie's Impact Ahead of Grammy Tribute
Billboard | By Gary Graff |15th February 2016
Billboard | By Gary Graff |15th February 2016
The members of Duran Duran will be watching the 58th Grammy Awards' tribute to David Bowie on Monday night (Feb. 15) with some interest.
Sure, they're Lady Gaga fans -- who isn't? More importantly, they have a long history with Nile Rodgers and will be on the road with him and Chic this spring and summer. But mostly, it's extremely personal. Bowie, who died Jan. 10, was a crucial influence, and later a friend, as well as a mentor, both consciously and unconsciously.
As for so many, Bowie’s death was a shock that continues to resonate. Not surprisingly, then, Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes was happy to share his feelings about the legendary musician’s passing and impact, both on Duran Duran and the rest of the creative world.
"Like everybody else, I was profoundly sad, and still am. There was no question that as a musician, David Bowie was the singular person who inspired me more than anyone else to become a musician,” Rhodes says. “The first record I ever bought was The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust when I was 10 years old. I saw David Bowie perform many times and was lucky enough to become his friend over the years.
The keyboardist says Duran Duran toured parts of America and Canada with Bowie on his Glass Spider tour. During that tour, members of Duran Duran spent time talking with Bowie about music and other things.
"He's the greatest musician of his generation," Rhodes says. "I don't think there's anyone that will touch what he has left for all of us, musically and culturally. I think he educated a generation not just in music but also fashion, art, photography. He really made the blueprint for what Duran Duran have always strived to do, stretching the boundaries and working with artists in different fields. He's a constant inspiration.
Rhodes says Bowie’s passing was “the most elegant exit that I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. So even to his last breath he was managing to confound people. A very brave and incredible thing to do. Extraordinary and also deeply sad."
Sure, they're Lady Gaga fans -- who isn't? More importantly, they have a long history with Nile Rodgers and will be on the road with him and Chic this spring and summer. But mostly, it's extremely personal. Bowie, who died Jan. 10, was a crucial influence, and later a friend, as well as a mentor, both consciously and unconsciously.
As for so many, Bowie’s death was a shock that continues to resonate. Not surprisingly, then, Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes was happy to share his feelings about the legendary musician’s passing and impact, both on Duran Duran and the rest of the creative world.
"Like everybody else, I was profoundly sad, and still am. There was no question that as a musician, David Bowie was the singular person who inspired me more than anyone else to become a musician,” Rhodes says. “The first record I ever bought was The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust when I was 10 years old. I saw David Bowie perform many times and was lucky enough to become his friend over the years.
The keyboardist says Duran Duran toured parts of America and Canada with Bowie on his Glass Spider tour. During that tour, members of Duran Duran spent time talking with Bowie about music and other things.
"He's the greatest musician of his generation," Rhodes says. "I don't think there's anyone that will touch what he has left for all of us, musically and culturally. I think he educated a generation not just in music but also fashion, art, photography. He really made the blueprint for what Duran Duran have always strived to do, stretching the boundaries and working with artists in different fields. He's a constant inspiration.
Rhodes says Bowie’s passing was “the most elegant exit that I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. So even to his last breath he was managing to confound people. A very brave and incredible thing to do. Extraordinary and also deeply sad."
Source Link.
Pin Ups: A David Bowie Baker's Dozen Compilation
The Quietus | Laurie Tuffrey | 12th January 2016
In the wake of the great man's passing, we bring together all the times his albums have been featured in our favourite 13 LPs feature, including contributions from Paul Weller, Gary Numan, Brett Anderson and more...
< Original Full article is dated 13th April 2013, on an interview with Nick Rhodes on 13 albums that influenced him, and David Bowie's Aladdin Sane was one of them.>
David Bowie - Aladdin Sane
Nick: I would say that David Bowie had the biggest single influence on all music that came out of the time period when I started at the beginning of the 1980s. And all other bands in that modern music zone were influenced most by David Bowie. Throughout the seventies we could safely say that he pretty much owned it. If The Beatles owned the sixties, Bowie owned the seventies. I could have picked any one of his albums. I thought about Hunky Dory which I have played most, or Ziggy Stardust... which was the first album I ever bought. I thought about Station To Station which changed things as his influences morphed and then the whole Berlin trilogy which were extraordinary records. I decided on Aladdin Sane as I think it is the ultimate glam album.
Musically, it was fuelled with seventies energy. Mick Ronson’s guitar work is spectacular, the tracks all have an anxiety to them – songs like ‘Cracked Actor’ and ‘Panic In Detroit’ really had an edginess. The singles ‘The Jean Genie’ and ‘Drive-In Saturday’ were probably not even the best tracks on the album – ‘Lady Grinning Soul’ is my favourite track on the album – but had an attitude. You could taste the air they were recorded in. It was the album that turned Bowie into an absolute superstar worldwide. I played it a lot when I was a kid and it was one of those records that made me want to be in a band.
Also, it’s by far the greatest cover of the 1970s. The image of the flash across Bowie’s face really resonates. It’s held up – I see that the V&A museum are having a big show of Bowie’s career and memorabilia (and so they should) and the image they are using to advertise it is the front cover of Aladdin Sane.
Were you personally influenced by Bowie’s sense of fashion and make-up?
Nick: Absolutely. Stylistically, David Bowie influenced an entire generation that came after him, including punks - who all loved Bowie. It’s the DNA we all followed. We grew up in that and we continued it. The glam period was fantastic. It was only a few years but it was very important to me personally image-wise. They were leading the way and they looked like rock stars should look.
Duran Duran played some shows with Bowie on his Glass Spider tour. How was that?
Nick: Well, we got to know David early on. It’s quite surreal that you are listening to these records in your bedroom and then a few years later you are meeting the guy at your shows. We did spend some time with him and did some shows with him. I’m very fond of David. I’ve heard two of his new songs and I’m glad he is out there making records. He has done a lot for music and changed people’s view on art. A true innovator, although David does steal, we have to say that, but he steals well.
Pin Ups: A David Bowie Baker's Dozen Compilation
The Quietus | Laurie Tuffrey | 12th January 2016
In the wake of the great man's passing, we bring together all the times his albums have been featured in our favourite 13 LPs feature, including contributions from Paul Weller, Gary Numan, Brett Anderson and more...
< Original Full article is dated 13th April 2013, on an interview with Nick Rhodes on 13 albums that influenced him, and David Bowie's Aladdin Sane was one of them.>
David Bowie - Aladdin Sane
Nick: I would say that David Bowie had the biggest single influence on all music that came out of the time period when I started at the beginning of the 1980s. And all other bands in that modern music zone were influenced most by David Bowie. Throughout the seventies we could safely say that he pretty much owned it. If The Beatles owned the sixties, Bowie owned the seventies. I could have picked any one of his albums. I thought about Hunky Dory which I have played most, or Ziggy Stardust... which was the first album I ever bought. I thought about Station To Station which changed things as his influences morphed and then the whole Berlin trilogy which were extraordinary records. I decided on Aladdin Sane as I think it is the ultimate glam album.
Musically, it was fuelled with seventies energy. Mick Ronson’s guitar work is spectacular, the tracks all have an anxiety to them – songs like ‘Cracked Actor’ and ‘Panic In Detroit’ really had an edginess. The singles ‘The Jean Genie’ and ‘Drive-In Saturday’ were probably not even the best tracks on the album – ‘Lady Grinning Soul’ is my favourite track on the album – but had an attitude. You could taste the air they were recorded in. It was the album that turned Bowie into an absolute superstar worldwide. I played it a lot when I was a kid and it was one of those records that made me want to be in a band.
Also, it’s by far the greatest cover of the 1970s. The image of the flash across Bowie’s face really resonates. It’s held up – I see that the V&A museum are having a big show of Bowie’s career and memorabilia (and so they should) and the image they are using to advertise it is the front cover of Aladdin Sane.
Were you personally influenced by Bowie’s sense of fashion and make-up?
Nick: Absolutely. Stylistically, David Bowie influenced an entire generation that came after him, including punks - who all loved Bowie. It’s the DNA we all followed. We grew up in that and we continued it. The glam period was fantastic. It was only a few years but it was very important to me personally image-wise. They were leading the way and they looked like rock stars should look.
Duran Duran played some shows with Bowie on his Glass Spider tour. How was that?
Nick: Well, we got to know David early on. It’s quite surreal that you are listening to these records in your bedroom and then a few years later you are meeting the guy at your shows. We did spend some time with him and did some shows with him. I’m very fond of David. I’ve heard two of his new songs and I’m glad he is out there making records. He has done a lot for music and changed people’s view on art. A true innovator, although David does steal, we have to say that, but he steals well.
Source Link
Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran:
When I was a kid I was a big music fan and I met my neighbor from around the corner from where I lived, John Taylor, and we used to go to concerts together and we bonded over music. It was very important to us. One of the people that was most important to us was David Bowie. I think for most artists of our generation he probably is the one artist that influenced us all in some way more than others.
Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran:
When I was a kid I was a big music fan and I met my neighbor from around the corner from where I lived, John Taylor, and we used to go to concerts together and we bonded over music. It was very important to us. One of the people that was most important to us was David Bowie. I think for most artists of our generation he probably is the one artist that influenced us all in some way more than others.