Not-so-nice Bowie (Press, 27 February 1988)

The biography "Alias David Bowie" by Peter and Leni Gillman, published in 1986, explores the multifaceted life of British pop icon David Bowie, highlighting his continuous journey of self-discovery over the past two decades. The authors present Bowie as a complex figure whose various stage personas, such as Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, mask the elusive character behind them. Throughout his career, Bowie has made contradictory statements about his personal life, including his background, inspirations, and sexuality, adding to the intrigue surrounding his identity. The Gillmans delve into Bowie's family history, noting the prevalence of mental health issues, which are echoed in his music. The biography touches on the profound impact of his schizophrenic half-brother Terry, who tragically took his life in 1985. The authors suggest that this significant loss marked a turning point for Bowie, allowing him to confront his own fears of madness and eventually embrace a more stable life and career. The book's central section focuses on Bowie's rise to stardom under manager Tony Defries, characterised by the chaos of fame, including bisexual relationships, drug use, and the excesses typical of the music industry. During this period, Bowie increasingly distanced himself from reality, developing a sense of superiority and alienation from the very fans who propelled him to success. While the authors provide a detailed account of Bowie's early life, familial background, and initial struggles in show business, the latter parts of the biography are deemed somewhat cumbersome by the reviewer. There's a sense that the Gillmans could have offered more insight into Bowie's time in Berlin, a pivotal era of his career, following the Ziggy Stardust phenomenon. Overall, the portrayal in "Alias David Bowie" reveals a figure driven by ambition, but also facing profound loneliness. Bowie emerges as a complex personality, whose ambitions and personas have masked a deeper struggle with identity and mental health. The reviewer notes that despite Bowie's accomplishments and status, he appears to remain isolated, sitting atop an "ivory tower" without genuine connection.

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