A Treasure Trove of Bowie Memorabilia

A fascinating note detailing David Bowie's favorite songs has recently been unearthed from the V&A archive, adding a new layer to our understanding of the iconic artist's musical influences.

The David Bowie Centre Opens Soon

Mark your calendars! The David Bowie Centre will debut at the V&A East Storehouse in Hackney Wick on September 13. Curated by The Last Dinner Party and the legendary Nile Rodgers, this centre will host over 90,000 items celebrating Bowie's artistic journey as a musical innovator and cultural icon.

What’s in the Note?

Among the newly discovered artifacts is a handwritten memo for a radio show that lists Bowie’s favorite records. This eclectic mix includes tracks like: - "Right Now Right Now" by Alan Freed and His Rock 'N' Roll Band - "Beck's Bolero" by Jeff Beck - "Across The Universe" by The Beatles (which he famously covered on his 1975 album 'Young Americans').

The Complete List of Favorites

Curious about what else made the cut? Here’s the full list of Bowie’s favorite songs: - Ralph Vaughan Williams – "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" - Richard Strauss – "Four Last Songs" - Little Richard – "True Fine Mama" - The Hollywood Argyles – "Sho Know a Lot About Love" - Miles Davis – "Some Day My Prince Will Come" - Charles Mingus – "Ecclusiastics" - Legendary Stardust Cowboy – "I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship" - Ronnie Spector – "Try Some, Buy Some" - Edgar Froese – "Epsilon in Malaysian Pale" - The Walker Brothers – "The Electrician" - Sonic Youth – "Tom Violence"

More Insights from the Archive

The archive also revealed additional intriguing notes, including a list dated 1995 that contrasts Bowie's personal 'ins' such as "chaos surfing" and "ennui" with 'outs' like "post-modernism" and "religion." This offers a glimpse into the mind of a true visionary.

Bowie’s Creative Last Months

In a bittersweet twist, the collection highlights Bowie's late work on a mysterious project titled 'The Spectator,' described as an "18th-century musical." The project remained under wraps until archivists uncovered the notes in 2016, which had been locked away and untouched.

A Lasting Legacy for Fans

As we prepare for the opening of the David Bowie Centre, this treasure trove not only celebrates Bowie's musical legacy but also invites fans to delve deeper into the mind of one of the greatest artists of our time.