Bowie has referred to himself as a collector; a cultural sponge of sorts. The first and probably most obvious example of this has to be “Hunky Dory”. An eclectic album that pays homage to the underground New York punk scene of the 1970’s- with its nods to Warhol and The Velvet Undergroud in particular.
1971 was the year that Ziggy Stardust was born. Here we see how Bowie sought to challenge the conventional uniform of the rock star with his overtly androgynous, futuristic, almost dangerous image and persona as opposed to the conventional jeans and leather jacket get up that so many of his contemporaries so desperately clung to.
Ziggy Stardust was the ultimate glam rock pioneer. This persona in particular saw Bowie lean wholeheartedly into the contradictions that he embodied in both his gender and his sexuality. He was continuously pushing boundaries. Bowie presented his gender in such an unconventional, flamboyant way in an attempt to challenge the mainstream perception of the male image; ultimately giving his audience avenues for exploring the internal labyrinths of existence and desire.
He not only graced us with his own great music but produced albums for Lou Reed (Transformer) and Iggy and the Stooges (Raw Power). He even wrote and produced Mott the Hoople's glitter drenched anthem "All the Young Dudes.". He continued to do so well into the 70’s and had even revived Iggy Pop’s career by producing ‘Lust for Life’ in 1977.
"I'm an instant star. Just add water and stir."
MUSIC.