![]() Not only was “Young Americans” a commercial hit, it received ultimate approval when Bowie became one of the first white artists to be invited perform on Soul Train. It was during the first leg of his Diamond Dogs tour that Bowie connected to the soul music that was playing on radio stations across the US, and he returned to Philly to record the soul infused “Young Americans” at Sigma Sound Studios, where Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff had created what was known as the “Philadelphia Sound,” and what Bowie called “Plastic Soul.” Luckily, the poor response to “David Live” didn’t dim his affection for Philadelphia, and he returned soon after to record “Young Americans.” The album contained the single “Fame,” which would go on to become his first #1 hit in America. Photo credit: Hidden City Philadelphia The Tower Theater today. ![]() Never.”) and Bowie claims to have never listened to it – he said it should have been titled “David Bowie Is Alive And Well And Living Only In Theory.” The theater before its tower came down However, the resulting album met with a poor response from critics (Mick Jagger said, “Christ, I mean, if I’d got the kind of reviews that he got for that album, I would honestly never record again. Bowie agreed to pay them, and they went on stage. On the basis of the likely sales of the album they calculated they were entitled to $5,000 each. The band confronted Bowie an hour before the first show and refused to take the stage after being informed that Bowie’s management intended to pay them only the standard union fee required for a live recording (only $70). Interestingly, this live recording led to a revolt by Bowie’s touring band. In 1974, on the initial leg of his Diamond Dogs tour, Bowie recorded his first official live album at the Tower Theater, a 1927 former movie house just over the Philadelphia border in Upper Darby. ![]() David Bowie’s time in Philadelphia marks one of the turning points in his career – as he transitioned away from his glam-rock Ziggy Stardust to a more tailored persona. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |