I love this interview - his candid discussion is refreshing. He could have died from drugs during the Ziggy years and I'm profoundly happy that he did not...
I find it interesting and refreshing, though, that he says he's happy he did it and doesn't regret a bit of it. Heck, if it wasn't for booze and drugs, let's face it - we wouldn't have quite a body of wildly creative art of all types that exists. By no means am I condoning it, but many artists speak of the pain and the cure themselves... From Van Gogh to Bowie...
The only way to be kill with drugs is to be kill with it Besides that, only guys like Bowie who have a big industry behind him can live that way. But in the end when you see that Blackstar is his final work, I don’t know it is more sad than inspiring
I wouldn't say most intelligent. Musically and as a preformer he was brilliant and intelligent but not the most intelligent in general. Most intelligent people are not famous or in any spot lights.
No disrespect to you intended but that's not from Mr. Bowie's Ziggy period, it's from backstage at a Young Americans tour date, his persona after Ziggy. I can tell you that in the dressing rooms at the Boston Music Hall on that tour he passed out and had to be carried to the tour bus. The band, especially Earl Slick, were almost scared witless. (That's his assistant Coco being yanked into the room before he closes the door.) I don't know if folks truly grasp what a serious coke problem he had at the time. If you were within ten feet that night in Boston you could see that he looked cadaverous. The fact that this ENTIRELY EXTRAORDINARY artist conquered this demon of a habit makes him even more of a hero to me.
it's sad that in the title it says during the Ziggy Stardust , during that time frame he had the long red hair with shaved eyebrows so it was obvious that it wasn't during that time period but you being a true fan knew better
The footage at the end is definitely post-Ziggy, probably around his Plastic Soul era in '75, and the filming of "The Man Who Fell to Earth," 75-76. Different hair, different fashion, and the fedora: post glitter for sure.
What he said at the beginning about the conscious is frighteningly accurate, he finally put it into words. Uppers do something to your conscious that you will struggle with for a long time
Thank you for putting this up! I have seen the clip where he takes coke before and I agree with you that even if drug use shouldn´t be encouraged (as he says himself in the interview) it is a part of his history and a clue to understand him. We can never judge another person, we can never know what went through his head at this time. Curiously enough, his small silver cocaine spoon is actually exhibited in the David Bowie is exhibition!
I heard that bowie passed out stone cold and his friends put himmler into a warm bath which saved him. He had angels around him human and spiritual for sure. There is no artist more prolific in so many genres. What a talented mesmerising human for many,many people who listen to all his music. A mad roller coaster which I can't get off of or would want to.
@vhwithdlr so does that make my girlfriend a lesbian for saying that Britney Spears still looks as hot now as she did back in 2002? Or are you just a weird close minded self loathing homophobe?
Funny how people like to make fun of other peoples addictions, substance use or other habits. Like I use alcohol I am okay, but all you coke heads are pitiful. I admire David Bowie for standing up. He said he wouldn't change a thing, but certainly would not want his own son doing any of it.
Randy Hogue Musicians get a pass with drugs. Some of the older stuff music wise was made great because of different substances. It's definitely for adults, though.
Just a wee heads up 2 everyone,...the "Vaporwave" piece of music used in the Coke scene is called "Crystal Japan",..I believe it was gonna be used to close out Scary Monsters, but it ended up being used in Japan in a Sake advert!! Absolute genius from our lad Bowie,..RIP fi Scotland, UK N hope this helps awbody out!!
And still one of the most intelligent,gifted and kind human beings. An incredible guy 100% strong in the mind and so open and honest about it and this is coming from an ex user myself. 🙏 🤲
I love Bowie but you're forgetting his awful Thin White Duke fascist nonsense that he blamed on his cocaine use and the fact that he had sex (Statutory rape) with a thirteen year old, who was apparently a virgin, this was with his partner at the time (It was apparently a threesome, that his partner was invited to after Bowie first had sex with her.) and this 'groupie' went on to be be abused by other influential rock stars of the day!
When you consider the " Drug Addicted Oblivion " That David Bowie had descended into, His recovery was " Nothing Short Of Miraculous " !! And " Thank Goodness " That his musical career " Continued To Ascend " Thereafter!!! May David Robert Jones Continue to RIP!!!! From Adrian Browne 1965
Bowie literally has said he completely regrets The Thin White Duke and Station to Station and that he was incredibly disgusted and offended with himself and the character
@@MrAllallalla It didn't. He died because he smoked tons of cigarretes for his entire life. The coke changed his personality and maybe made him more creative, good or bad, but it wasn't the thing killing him.
Great video I enjoyed it. Though I must point out that was not Ziggy Stardust Bowie it was actually Bowie from the diamond Dogs tour because his hair was shorter and he was drinking a lot of milk and doing a lot more coke during that period.
Exactly, there’s like..NO reason to do drugs if you’re poor. If you’re gonna be involved with drugs you better be the dealer lol so atleast you making profit.
@@greatomeister675 Uh... the reason to do drugs, poor or otherwise, is to make you feel better. Most people don't just do it to do it, they chase a high.
All humans "self-soothe"...it's what we do. Some smoke, some exercise like mad, some drink, some do drugs-- anything done to the extreme, which you feel you "must" do, is a "drug". I see no reason to make a big distinction between what we use to help us through our tough times, fears, & sadness. RIP, David Bowie. You were only human & a charming one, at that. ;)
Not really. Not as it pertains to our own sense of what helps us "get through" at the time. Humans are simply obsessive by nature, imho-- it's always something. Some are just unfortunate & can't get out once they get in.
I think what Sumaya is trying to say is, that there are positive addictions and negative addictions. The positive addictions can get you really healthy and they are still really addictive ... and they help your mind. But the negative ones hurt your body and sometimes your mind. There is nothing wrong with addictions as long as you find the positive ones.
I understand. I guess my point is that we're all not built the same. We don't react the same. And rather than attack those who do not have our ability to "cut-off", we need to step in & to try help, not judge.
You see no reason to make a big distinction? You used exercise as an example of a "drug" Bowie said that he couldn't function from doing drugs. Never really met anyone who would say they couldn't function because of exercising...
The way he explains the rock and roll of life in the era of who knows , is so dynamic and explicit he saw so much and did so much and expressed so much , the man had a good life . I love and will always love him for who he was. doesn't matter what he ever did . Drugs happened back then. He did more than show us where we were , more than what we were . It was life back in the day and he was a god . long live this superman !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cocaine is a hell of a drug. Glad Bowie survived it all! I have done a shitload of coke but a fragment compared to this man. I cannot imagine what he went through. David Bowie is so frockin great. A true genius.
No kidding a poker player back in the 80s and 70s no one will ever see again what he did and could do with cards and poker that was unhuman he did so much cocaine his nose collapsed so he had to start smoking crack the money this man made back then was 30 million into today's money is 100 million and know one has Done most is 50 million he did that bye the age of 29 he was very generous and had a great hart came to a party once with cocaine he bought that was the size of a bowling ball and how he lived as long as he did is mind boggling had my share of that drug I don't touch anymore and haven't for many years tc stay safe
A Bowie fan from the early 70’s- I was in college late 70’s and early 80’s and listened to Scary Monsters and Super Creeps a million times and always thought that was Bowie pinnacle of Coke use!? Still like the album. Adrian Bilieu’s guitar work was quite unique. The punk era was coming to an end and new sounds were in the air. Great time for music!!
Bowie was clean in scary monsters and super creeps. It was after he got clean in Berlin. Bowie has said he doubts cocaine helped him creatively. He said he wrote his hit songs during the thin white duke era sober. Also, I love 80s Bowie and prefer let's dance to any Bowie albums from the mid 70s.
"I didn't even know I was playing characters" literally killed me how genius can someone be to the point that he can change his persona and still be the same David Bowie
I have seen many interviews in which he basically responds as he did here. The link below is an example. I have never seen him flat out say he wished he hadn't done drugs. A claim like that needs backing up. What's your source? www.bowiebible.com/features/drugs/21/
lol, oh man only nutters like you think this man was anything but a stooge and drug addict. its still blows my mind how ppl just OK the 70's -early 90's drug use because popular music frauds are doing it. The ppl running this world are LoL'ing at you.
He made great content and inspired generations, and managed to remain relevant the whole time. He achieved far more than most and was awesome whilst doing it. What do you know about the 'people running the world' hahaha, you sound like you've got a rod up your arse mate
Unfortunately with addictive or psycho-active substances there is always a price to pay (been there, done that). I'll stick with fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and proper diet. Gonna miss Bowie though; a performance artist to the end who was always pushing the envelope.
@ Michael IMO weed is not the benign substance the media would have you believe. It is too easy for the user to become a chronic smoker because you don't get the negative effects of a 'hangover' like with booze. The brain makes adjustments for the ingestion of a psychoactive substance on a daily basis, and trying to quit cold turkey after years of smoking is a shock to the brain chemistry, resulting in sensitized nerves, anxiety, panic attacks etc. Getting your brain back to it's natural balance can take many months. Worse still is that today's marijuana is much more potent than the stuff I smoked way back in the 70s and 80s. You simply cannot sedate yourself with marijuana for years and then expect no bad effects upon quitting (but this can vary from person to person). Keep in mind the damage being done to your lungs, the opportunities missed because of apathy, and that you could finance a new car with the money spent on this drug habit.
Like any drug on the planet( caffeine and sugar included) I believe use/abuse of it every day will have its negative side affects no matter how harm less it may seem. I smoked every day last year and the year before and understand your point about the brains chemical balance 100%, You might not be addicted but you are dependent in ways, Which is now with any drug I take its in utter moderation so I can enjoy it for what it is instead of using it as a constant gateway out of reality, I believe in the mental benefits of being high on certain drugs it can be a release and a platform for perspective in certain issues in your life that need to be resolved and such but I think you have to be equally happy sober aswell as you are high. Their has to be a ying to the yang:)
Unfortunately, over the years, moderation becomes addiction as tolerance builds, and that is the trap of many drugs. People start out at half a pack of cigarettes a day and thirty years later it becomes chain-smoking. The occasional weekend joint becomes an ounce-of-weed-a-week a few years later as tolerance builds and more is required for the same effect. Go to AAA meetings and listen to stories of 'moderation' that became alcoholism. People forget the effect of the passage of time (years) and the buildup of tolerance that leads to addiction. Moderation is the brain's excuse for continuing drug use; the old saying is true, 'Play with fire and you will eventually get burned!'
gwwayner I understand your point 100% but I think there's other factors that come into play too like the mental health of the User who went from moderation to addiction , was there a significant event in there life that pushed them to numbing the pain of it with drugs? A lot of, if not all addicts are numbing the pain of something, If its not heroin it could be alcoholism or even just over eating of processed sugars killing yourself slowly. I think if your going to get addicted to a drug no matter the class of it, it's going to happen because of a significant event or your current situation. I have never met anyone addicted to a substance that wasn't going through or had gone through a traumatic or such experience. I believe that's a totally different spectrum to enjoying a joint now and again like you would enjoy a pint on the weekend.
IMO when one encounters the inevitable stresses and bad breaks that always come along in life, then this is the time to have the clear head that is needed for the logical and responsible course of action to remedy the situation. Addictive substances IMPEDE one's ability to take that required action. The brain needs to develop a natural chemical balance that can cope with life's stresses WITHOUT the crutch of addictive psychoactive substances. The best way to cope with stresses and traumas is get out into the great outdoors, enjoy nature, and exercise. I'm retired and mountain-bike daily on my Cannondale freeride bike, and do a weight training routine every few days. I quit cigs, booze, weed etc in my early twenties and as a result got a good job and good health (and more money in my pocket). I consider the drug/alcohol stuff poisonous and would never go back.
I like his honesty here. Dunno if the uploader thought we would all think bad about Bowie for this, but I feel quite like the opposite. If I ever met him, I am sure we could talk for hours and hours.
I loved to hear him speak. Classy guy but humble...still. I think interviewing him really would have been a great Privilege!!! Of course,intelligent to a core,we were lucky he got sober. Many don't survive it. Bowles music was just fab, & way ahead of his time and the costumes & makeup? Androgyny at its peak,of perfection......Wow. Mr David Jones, you are deeply missed ( by me,def I know,by millions!!) you changed not just musical style but sexuality .....RIP - HEROES"🕊🕊🕊
sorry if I don't agree, but my impression of British people is they like to drink. When you go to Britain, there is a pub on every corner? I recently had a conversation with an Irish guy, he told me. Quote: British people don't drink to have fun they drink to die. lol!
"the road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom". it's true, but you have to come out the other side intact. it's a tremendously steep price to pay if you're lucky enough to make it through.
Only Bowie could produce some of the best music and performances loaded up on drugs. It would’ve been disastrous for anybody else... Only gold albums resulted in his drug abuse. He often said he wondered how much more better things he could’ve accomplished had he not been so incoherent. I don’t think he POSSIBLY could’ve produced any better things, nor the amount of successful masterpieces he created. I’m not condoning drug use either, but in Bowie’s case...he made the best of it- as usual. I don’t think failure was an option of his.
I wonder if his mind changed prior to his passing about the benefits of his drug years . He did comment about how his past self-abuse finally caught up with him. He left a loving family behind, of course. I suppose to have lived such a creatively inspired and productive life as he did might be hard to weigh and value in terms of years. I can’t help thinking about all the fear of death right now and how much better it feels to live brave and free rather than under house arrest. I really miss David and his input. Such a lovely, bright guy and musical mentor. . RIP
David Bowie: *Titan of music, visionary, pop legend, fashion icon, actor, alien, frontman of the Internet revolution, basically a renaissance man* Interviewer: *but that cocaine though*
You know the sad thing is he died of liver issues, in his 60's RIP DB but the liver is the only organ that can completely regenerate, if only he regenerated it stayed away from substance and alcohol he would still be alive today to star in the sequel to Labyrinth. :(
Its never gone away and it's still everywhere , likely more now to be honest it's just taken the backburner to heroin and fentanyl as far as media coverage .
By the skin of my teeth, I made it out. I would definitely have thought "I must try living like THAT!" If I had watched this when I was a little kid. That was the way I thought. Hmm, I did live like THAT, and it was hard. But I agree with David about having come out the narrow end a better person.
I know what you mean. I remember seeing and reading about many lifestyle "choices" when young and thinking the same: I'm going to do THAT and find out what it's all about. Even to the point of deciding to experience homelessness, addiction and jail. It was hard, I barely survived and I do have regrets, but now I know and I am a better person for all of it. Still, I use this knowledge now to gently caution the naive initiate or reach out to others who are drowning in it already and at least show that there can be a light at the end of the downward spiral. Hope you're still well, peace.
the music journalists that worked for muchmusic/citytv did such a better job engaging with and interviewing musicians than anything mtv did in the 80's and 90's. avi lewis always had a good vibe, nice to see this in 2021
