David Bowie - brilliant 9-min interview (1987)

David Bowie turned 40 in 1987 and gave this insightful interview upon releasing his 17th album Never Let Me Down. Bowie has been accurately described as the last great talent to ever come out of Britain, his impact and lasting influence on popular music and culture never in doubt. This excellent interview finds a comfortable and relaxed Bowie taking stock of his brilliant career to date, with producer Tony Visconti and Rolling Stone journalist Kurt Loder adding their perspectives.

[astridbirgittevern]

That intro? Jeeezz. Didn’t sound like he was talking about Bowie. Thankfully, Bowie was his intelligent, artistic self, and made the interview a real joy to watch.

[bartonseagrave]

I know David Bowie did not invent Heavy Metal and I also know he doesn't think he invented it.

[minerva]

Finally. This interview! Now i understand why 16yr old me with my old jazz& R& B obsessions had Bowie posters on the walls of her room... He was a great, genuine, flawed, marvellous being....

[jazminratzlaff]

Love this brilliant genius interview from 1987, David Bowie is an actor, in his music and so extraordinarily talented in films. Adore his voice, it’s so heavenly and uniquely distinctive. Such a original yet such a grounded down to earth personality. A true artist, creator, inventor of pop culture and live music. Love his hair here and beautiful face. ❤️♥️😍😘🥰🤩🌟✨

[lotstodo]

I miss David Bowie. I'm so happy that I lived in his lifetime and was young when he started out.

[jayceewriter]

This world was graced by a true genius. I miss him very much

[warrensilverfox]

I started this ride back in 72 13 years old and never got off the train

[tiffanyroseangeles]

RIP BOWIE you were a iconic a kind sweet and intelligent person. Done the Brits proud! Your unique sense of self / style was EVERYTHING!! THEN PLUS YOU, AS ALL ROCK STARS THAT HAVE LEFT US TONS OF YOUR WORK ON FILM AND SOUND
I ADORED YOU MY STARMAN!😊

[walterrosado]

He wasn’t the king of
Rock nor heavy metal but he is definitely a star child and now the starman, he doesn’t want to come back because he thinks it
Will blow our mind I’m 23 years old and I want to him to make me lose it then boogie… he is art incarnate and it hasn’t even been a week since I I learned about him I’m frustrated that music is so saturated now

[leppak]

this IS an excellent example of what journalism can do when its done right. this should be a study guide on how to use 9 minutes to its maximum value.

[garethmartyndavies]

Love to see any footage of this iconic human 🇬🇧🇬🇧🙌❤️❤️

[WendyCollier-kwtx]

❤bowie artwork performance and a awesome human being. Bowie R.I.P 🙏 forever in our hearts. 😢 I hope you have turned in to an angel and watching from above ❤❤❤❤

[HEWHOTAWNS]

bowie said this was the lowest point of his life and yeah there is definietly a saddness to him in this interview

[barroncrist]

David has a way with words. Great interview.

[metrognome]

What the fuck they totally grilled him. Stuff like this probably is what made him rethink his sound

[professormause]

Diamond Dogs, Young Americans & Station To Station were all US Top Ten albums before Let's Dance.
But,
sure,
he never sold that much in

[maralynthomson]

Uncle Tony Visconti didn't produce Lets Dance because he had spoken publicly about Bowie's private life (David guarded his private life) and was cut off. Bowie didn't speak to him for years. Dana Gillespie got the same treatment as she remained friends with Angie after the split from David. For Visconti to say Let's Dance was a sell out is just green cheese. Look at all the shite 80's pop bands that Visconti produced for evidence of a real sell out.

[ianparker]

Because of Dave's Accent, everybody presumes he's a Southerner, yet few know his Dad was From Yorkshire, & his Mum was from Lancashire, & Dave Himself was born up North in Yorkshire (Eh By Gum It's Grim Up North) & his accent is because he moved South at a very Young age, so he naturally chatters like a Southerner. "Rest In Peace Fellow Tyke, You Were A Genius!!"

[pietajanssenvanelst]

Great cameleon, love him at any age.... R.I.P.

[QUINT]

Years later Bowie admitted himself that he regretted some of the decisions he made during this time it's strange because at the time I loved everything Bowie did Let's Dance never let me down everything but now that I'm a lot older I find I go back to the classic bowie albums and not to these ones