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A WEEKLY DIARY EXCLUSIVELY WRITTEN FOR MIRABELLE MAGAZINE
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1974 January February March APRIL May June July August September October November December |
A WEEKLY DIARY EXCLUSIVELY WRITTEN FOR MIRABELLE MAGAZINE
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4th April 1974
Trust good old Mirabelle to find a duplicate me! I was knocked out when they told me about Henry, the guy they found at my ex-Spider, Mick Ronson's Rainbow concert.
When I used to do concerts around the country I always saw fans who tried hard to look like me, and as I've said before, I really consider it as some kind of compliment. I don't think I've ever seen anyone who looks so much like me as Henry does. Henry and I haven't met yet, but I really would like to meet him and chat about why he wants to look like me. Unlike many of the Bowie doubles that are roaming around, I think that Henry really has the basic Bowie look and what he's doing is just making the most of it. Both Angie and I get most flattered when we see fans who try to look like us.
From what I hear, Henry and his girlfriend, Lesley, are quite friendly with Mick Ronson - and Mick had said that after a couple of drinks he could quite happily call him David. Henry takes it all as a tremendous compliment, I hear, and he gets a great kick out of looking like me.
I suppose talking about Henry leads me on to the obvious questions about my looks. I know I wrote to you a few months back about how I cultivate the Bowie look and I explained to you all about my make-up (which I wear both on and off stage) and also my hair. Well, after all this time my look has become second nature to me now. Some guys get up in the morning and get dressed all smart for work. Well, my routine is just as important for me. I don't wear make-up every day, but I am finding that it's becoming more of a habit as time goes by.
I've taken to wearing hats, too. You've probably seen photos of me in a big black Spanish-type hat recently. Well, that's my favourite one at the present time, and I wear it during the day and sometimes at night.
Looks like I'm starting to run out of space now, so I'll love you and leave you for another week. Henry - just one quick message before I go... keep up the Bowie look... it suits you!
13th April 1974
Hello again,
Well, it seems that quite a lot's been happening to me again just recently, and I think I'd better take this opportunity to sit down and let you in on the news a bit.
Firstly, as some of you probably already know by now I've had to leave England for a while and come over here to the United States to concentrate on what really amounts to a lot of work. I'd been meaning to come over for some time, but was rather anxious to get a lot of my recordings finished first - as followers of this column will already know - before undertaking all the things that I have to do here. Before I mention any of those I must just explain to you that I'm going to find it slightly more difficult to keep you right up to date every week as I've got to send these columns over from where ever I am in the States, and I think that your Editor is a little worried that I might start confusing deadlines and things - never mind, have faith in your old friend Bowie I say.
I expect by now you will have heard that I'm about to release a new album, and naturally I'm hoping that you're all going to enjoy it. While I'm over here I hope to have the time to mix some of the other material I was recording, and finalise plans to present some of the musical shows that I was telling you about a little while ago. One of the main reasons for my coming here, however, is to undertake some concert appearances throughout America. Having had the time free of stage work, to concentrate on recording and writing, I now feel really ready to make the occasional stage appearance when I'd like to. I haven't really done very much live work in America, so it's become a bit of a challenge to me, and that's what I really like. Naturally I'll be keeping you well informed from concert to concert, so if you care to make a regular date with me I'll let you know all the little things that happen to me while I'm here, and I guess just knowing that I'm still in regular contact with you is going to make me feel a lot less homesick.
Anyway, I think it's time to close for now.
I've been having such a wonderful time in New York. The weather has been just fabulous and I've been able to get out and see all the sights and do lots of shopping. I've discovered two shops that weren't here the last time I visited New York. One is called Moonstone and has lots of science-fictiony type things - glittery jewellery and lots of space-agey type outfits in shiny materials. I just couldn't resist buying a fabulous bright green metallic jumpsuit. It's skin-tight all over and the sleeves are so tight they zip-up, but every six inches down the sleeves there are these shiny metal rings circling them. The metal rings are even a brighter green, and circle just above the elbows, just below the elbows, and finally at the wrists there are two bright green rings finishing the sleeves. I also couldn't resist the temptation of buying a bright green cape to wear over this suit. Now all I have to find are some great shoes to complete this outfit!Angie was so knocked out by the whole effect that she wants a cape just like the one I have. We'll have to find out if they make clothes for children and if they do, Zows can get something, too! The whole family dressed up will be a sight!
Anyway, the store I found - and just love - is a pillow store, but not just an ordinary pillow store. It sells gigantic pillows in funny people shapes. They are made in shiny, soft and very glittery materials. The pillows are actually about seven feet tall and you can use them as cushiony type seats or couches or whatever you want. It was Angie who actually discovered this shop and she's now in the process of furnishing an entire room with stuffed people. That should be quite a surprise for visitors to our house!
These shops are both down in Greenwich Village which is one of the prettiest sections of New York.
I'm looking forward to new adventures in New York, and I'll try to report each and every one back to you!
Do you ever wish you could be in two places at one time? I'm feeling that way right now. Even though, whenever I go to America I have a fabulous time, it doesn't take too long before I get a little bit homesick and wish I were back in England again. Lucky for me, I've got enough work and enough friends to keep me busy here. And Angie and I have the most beautiful flat to stay in while we're in New York. Angela came over to the States a few days early to go flat hunting for us, and I'm happy to say she was very successful. We've got a lovely two-storey apartment (that's what they call flats in America) in a great section of the city and the apartment building was built in the '20s or '30s. That's our favourite period for architecture. It's just about the time art deco came into favour and the building has that shiny, glowing, old-fashioned flavour about it. The flat itself is just great. We've got enough room to have all our friends come over to visit and even stay for awhile. Zowie's got a fabulous little playroom which no doubt will soon be filled to the rafters with toys. He's due for some new ones, anyway. He's just about destroyed his rocking horse. I keep telling Zows to rock, not gallop, and the poor horse is really in bad shape from all the wear and tear. Angela wants to paint Zows' room orange 'cause she heard that brightly coloured surroundings make kids smarter and healthier.Now about the rest of the house... Angela just loves her kitchen. It's got everything she needs: all her pots, pans, dishes and cutlery. She's been going to markets every day to stock up on all the delicacies she knows I love.
I'm so happy that I've got my own music room. It's got a piano, a record player, tape recorders and I've brought over my guitars and saxophones. Now, I've no excuse for not practising every day. I've been getting all my work done and I've even set about writing some new songs. When I'm writing, I must be just awful to be around. I lock myself in my room because I don't like to be disturbed or have any interruptions and people sort of sneak around the house so's not to make any noise. That is, until Angie shouts "David come out of there. It's time to take a break, darling!"
Angie always seems to know the right time to come and get me. It's just when I'm absolutely steaming over a lyric or idea that I can't quite get, and a cup of tea or a chat really helps. Then I can go back into my room and make a fresh start.
Anyway, I think I've run out of room once again. I just get so carried away talking about my new home. I'll be back next week with some more info.
| Created: July 1997 © Paul Kinder | Last Updated: 3/1/99 |