Exploring David Bowie's Musical Legacy: From Favorite Songs to Secret Projects
David Bowie's favorite songs have been revealed through a note found in the V&A archive. The David Bowie Centre is set to open at the V&A East Storehouse in Hackney Wick, showcasing exhibitions curated by The Last Dinner Party and Nile Rodgers. The collection, acquired by the V&A through various sources, will explore Bowie's creative processes as a musical innovator and cultural icon. The archive includes a list of Bowie's favorite records, featuring tracks like 'Right Now Right Now' by Alan Freed and His Rock 'N' Roll Band and 'Beck's Bolero' by Jeff Beck. Other songs on the list include 'Across The Universe' by The Beatles and 'Tom Violence' by Sonic Youth.
In addition to the favorite songs list, the archive also contains a note from 1995 listing Bowie's likes and dislikes. Among the "ins" were terms like "chaos surfing" and "David Bowie," while the "outs" included concepts like "post-modernism" and "religion." Bowie's archive also includes lists of his favorite albums and books, showcasing his diverse interests in music and literature. It was recently discovered that Bowie was working on a secret project titled The Spectator, described as an 18th-century musical, during his final months. The project remained unknown to many until his notes were found in his locked study in 2016.
Bowie's final creative offering, the 'Blackstar' album, was released shortly before his passing in 2016, marking the end of his illustrious career. To honor his legacy, a new box set titled 'I Can't Give Everything Away (2002-2016)' will be released on September 12, celebrating the final years of his career. The V&A Museum has received Bowie's archive, preserving his legacy for future generations to explore and appreciate.