Universal Pictures, Warner Music and London’s prestigious Music Walk of Fame today honoured timeless icon David Bowie with a stone on the Camden-based trail that pays homage to seminal artists and trailblazers from around the globe.
Woody Woodmansey – the drummer from Bowie’s band The Spiders from Mars – led the proceedings, and was joined by Bowie’s guitarist at Live Aid and with Tin Machine, Kevin Armstrong, in accepting the accolade on behalf of the musician along with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ star Nick Moran and famed pianist Clifford Slapper. Bowie’s stone was unveiled to coincide with the global release of Brett Morgen’s MOONAGE DAYDREAM, an experiential, cinematic odyssey about the universally acclaimed musician. MOONAGE DAYDREAM is out now in IMAX, and in UK cinemas from tomorrow, 23rd September.
Friends, collaborators and fans of the ‘Life on Mars’ singer gathered for the star-studded stone-laying ceremony, with everyone attending paying tribute to the London born artist who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of all time. Laid opposite Camden Town Tube Station, Bowie’s stone joined other Music legends including The Who, Soul2Soul, Madness and Amy Winehouse.
Tribute performances made for an emotional ceremony, with Kevin Armstrong performing an acoustic version of Heroes, and children from local school Haverstock Sixth Form performed Starman. A live stream of the event meant fans from around the world were able to tune in to honour the music legend.
Bowie’s phenomenal musical credentials need little introduction, with timeless hits including ‘Starman’, ‘Rebel Rebel’, ‘Space Oddity’ and ‘Let’s Dance’. During his 54 year career his record sales – estimated at over 100 million records worldwide – made him one of the best-selling musicians of all time, with 11 UK number-one albums.
Bowie was known for innovative sounds and visions – constantly reinventing himself over the years. Particularly lauded for his groundbreaking work in the 1970s, in 1972 he introduced Ziggy Stardust to the world, and in 2022 we mark 50 years since the androgynous, alien rock star fell to earth, with their first unassuming gig taking place at the Borough Assembly Hall in Aylesbury.
Born in Brixton, Bowie performed at Camden’s Roundhouse, just down the road from where stone will be laid, three times in 1970. One of these shows was with his then newly formed band ‘The Hype’ featuring Mick Ronson on guitar and his long time collaborator Tony Visconti on bass. This performance at The Atomic Sunrise Festival is widely seen as ‘the birth of Glam Rock’.
As well as the highly anticipated release of MOONAGE DAYDREAM this coming Friday, 2022 is also significant as the year that the star would have celebrated his 75th birthday.
The Starman himself is a natural fit for the London based trail that celebrates musical excellence, and his arrival in Camden signifies the long-awaited return of the Walk following a hiatus since 2020.
The Music Walk of Fame was founded by Lee Bennett and launched by honouring the Who , since then stones have been laid for Amy Winehouse, Madness and Soul II Soul. Based in Camden the trail aims to recognise all that is great in music and celebrates music’s contribution to culture, society and the lives of people from all around the world. The walk is set to feature hundreds of artists and personalities, spanning the entire length of pavement from Chalk Farm, all the way to
Mornington Crescent. The trail is deemed not only as a cultural attraction and celebration, but also a virtual museum due to the use of AR technology to access artwork, videos and music through the stones. The aim is for the Music Walk of Fame stones to become the highest accolade in music worldwide.
Lee Bennett, Founder of The Music Walk of Fame, “David Bowie is a global influence, one of the ultimate influencers and sooner or later, we had to have him on The Music Walk Of Fame. Our intention is for this to be the highest honour a music figure can receive in the UK and beyond, the unveiling of David’s stone ensures that legacy. We have huge plans for the future, but for now, let’s celebrate one of the greats of music.”
MOONAGE DAYDREAM, Brett Morgen’s (The Kid Stays in the Picture, Cobain: Montage of Heck, Jane) feature length experiential cinematic odyssey, explores Bowie’s creative, musical and spiritual journey. Told through sublime, kaleidoscopic, never-before-seen footage, performance and music, the film is guided by Bowie’s narration and is the first film to be officially sanctioned by Bowie’s estate.
MOONAGE DAYDREAM is out on IMAX now and in UK cinemas from 23rd September
