09 Oct
399: Bowie comes to Philly and records Young Americans
“Young Americans” cemented Bowie’s stardom in the U.S. Released in 1975, it signified Bowie’s new direction towards R&B, and contained his first #1 hit in the states “Fame,” co-written with John Lennon, who also did backing vocals for the track. He recorded the album in Philadelphia with backing from Philadelphia soul man, Luther Vandross, and Carlos Alomar. Even though there were hints during his Diamond Dogs tour that he was moving towards R&B, the blue-eyed soul of “Young Americans” came as a shock to his fans and the music world.
Here’s (a nervous) Bowie being interviewed by Dick Cavett in 1974, NYC:
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Nervous, or high?
October 9th, 2007 at 5:23 pmI’d go with high.
October 18th, 2007 at 11:24 amThis is another thing that makes me proud of Philly’s music background. I own it on vinyl twice. The second time was because I found a better copy, so I upgraded.
October 18th, 2007 at 11:33 am