Childhood and Education Journey of David Bowie in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of David Bowie, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

David Bowie (David Robert Jones) was a highly influential English singer-songwriter and actor, celebrated for his innovation and impact on popular music, especially during the 1970s. His career, spanning five decades, was characterized by constant reinvention and striking visual presentation. Bowie remains a critically acclaimed and influential figure in music history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

January 1947: David Bowie's Birth

David Robert Jones, who later became known as David Bowie, was born in January 1947. He would become a very influential English singer, songwriter, and actor.

Others born on this day/year

1953: Family Move to Bickley

In 1953, David Bowie and his family moved to Bickley.

1955: Family Settles in Sundridge Park

In 1955, David Bowie and his family settled in Sundridge Park where he attended Burnt Ash Junior School.

1956: First Impression of Elvis Presley

In 1956, David Bowie was first impressed with Elvis Presley when he saw his cousin Kristina dance to "Hound Dog".

1958: Attendance at Bromley Technical High School

In 1958, David Bowie started attending Bromley Technical High School.

1961: Gift of a Grafton Saxophone

In 1961, David Bowie's mother gave him a Grafton saxophone after he showed enthusiasm for jazz players. He began receiving lessons from Ronnie Ross.

1963: Professional Music Career Start

In 1963, David Bowie began his professional music career after studying art, music and design.

November 1964: Bowie speaks out against prejudice

In November 1964, during his first television interview, David Bowie, then known as Davie Jones, spoke out against prejudice against men with long hair after he and his band, the Manish Boys, were asked to cut their hair before a BBC television appearance.

1967: Bowie's Interest in Buddhism

In 1967, influenced by his half-brother, David Bowie became interested in Buddhism and considered becoming a monk after struggling to achieve commercial success. He studied at Tibet House in London for a few months.

April 1969: Meeting Angela Barnett

In April 1969, David Bowie met Angela Barnett, whom he would marry within a year.

1969: David and Angie create bisexual fantasy

In 1969, according to Mary Finnigan, David Bowie and his then-girlfriend Angie created what she described as their "bisexual fantasy".

1971: Bowie's First Trip to the US

The movie "Stardust" follows Bowie on his first trip to the United States in 1971.

1972: Bowie declares himself gay

In a 1972 interview with Melody Maker, David Bowie declared himself gay. This statement generated significant publicity in both Britain and America, leading to Bowie being adopted as a gay icon in both countries.

July 1973: Ziggy Stardust's Retirement

On July 3, 1973, David Bowie dramatically retired the Ziggy Stardust persona on stage at London's Hammersmith Odeon.

1975: Bowie admits feeling alone

In 1975, David Bowie admitted, "I felt totally, absolutely alone. And I probably was alone because I pretty much had abandoned God."

1975: Severance settlement with Defries ended

In September 1982, David Bowie's 1975 severance settlement with Tony Defries ended.

August 1976: Move to West Berlin

In August 1976, David Bowie moved to West Berlin with Iggy Pop to overcome their drug addictions and escape the spotlight.

1976: Political controversy during the Isolar Tour

In 1976, David Bowie's Isolar tour became mired in political controversy, including alleged pro-fascist comments in Stockholm and a possible Nazi salute at Victoria Station in London. These incidents, along with Eric Clapton's racist comments, led to the establishment of Rock Against Racism.

1976: Bowie affirms bisexuality

In a 1976 interview with Playboy, David Bowie affirmed his bisexuality, stating, "It's true—I am a bisexual. But I can't deny that I've used that fact very well. I suppose it's the best thing that ever happened to me."

1980: Divorce from Angie

In early 1980, David Bowie's marriage with Angie ended after months of court battles, following divorce proceedings initiated towards the end of 1979.

1983: Bowie criticizes MTV for lack of Black musicians

In 1983, David Bowie criticized MTV for not providing enough coverage of Black musicians, expressing discomfort when a network representative suggested fear of backlash from the American Midwest as a reason.

1983: Bowie calls bisexuality declaration a mistake

In 1983, David Bowie told Rolling Stone that his public declaration of bisexuality was "the biggest mistake I ever made" and claimed he was "always a closet heterosexual".

October 1990: Meeting Iman

In October 1990, David Bowie met Somali-born supermodel Iman through a mutual friend, and they immediately felt a strong connection.

April 1992: Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert and Marriage

On April 20, 1992, David Bowie performed at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, singing "'Heroes'", "All the Young Dudes", and "Under Pressure" with Annie Lennox. On April 24, 1992, Bowie and Iman married in Switzerland.

1992: Marriage to Iman and Dissolution of Tin Machine

In 1992, David Bowie and Iman married. The live album Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby failed commercially, leading Bowie to dissolve the band and resume his solo career.

1992: Marriage to Iman

In 1992, after marrying Iman in a private ceremony, David Bowie stated that their "real marriage, sanctified by God, had to happen in a church in Florence".

1992: Los Angeles riots

In 1992, the Los Angeles riots.

1993: Bowie expresses belief in God and discusses music

In 1993, David Bowie expressed an "undying" belief in the "unquestionable" existence of God. In a separate interview in 1993, he discussed the genesis of his album Black Tie White Noise, stating his desire to find music without ties to institutionalized religion.

January 1997: 50th Birthday Concert

On January 7, 1997, David Bowie celebrated his 50th birthday with a concert at Madison Square Garden, joined by Lou Reed, Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters, Robert Smith of the Cure, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, Black Francis of the Pixies, and Sonic Youth.

February 1997: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

On February 12, 1997, David Bowie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2000: Declined Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

In 2000, David Bowie declined the royal honor of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

2002: Bowie reflects on bisexuality declaration

In 2002, Blender asked David Bowie if he still considered his bisexuality declaration his biggest mistake. Bowie responded that it wasn't a mistake in Europe but was tougher in America, as it hindered his desire to be a songwriter and performer rather than a headline.

2003: Turned down a knighthood

In 2003, David Bowie turned down a knighthood, stating that he did not understand what it was for and it was not what he had spent his life working for.

2005: Bowie discusses atheism

Interviewed in 2005, David Bowie said that whether God exists "is not a question that can be answered... I'm not quite an atheist and it worries me. There's that little bit that holds on: 'Well, I'm almost an atheist. Give me a couple of months... I've nearly got it right.'"

February 2006: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

On February 8, 2006, David Bowie was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

2007: Bowie donates to Jena Six defense fund

In 2007, David Bowie donated $10,000 to the defense fund for the Jena Six, stating, "there is clearly a separate and unequal judicial process going on in the town of Jena".

2013: David Bowie Is exhibition opens in London

In 2013, the David Bowie Is exhibition, organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, opened in London. The exhibition was highly successful, attracting over 300,000 visitors.

2014: Bowie references Scottish independence referendum

At the 2014 Brit Awards, when David Bowie won British Male Solo Artist, he referenced the upcoming Scottish independence referendum, saying, "Scotland, stay with us."

January 2016: David Bowie's Death

David Bowie died in January 2016, marking the end of a 50-year career marked by reinvention.

2016: Death from Liver Cancer and Release of "Blackstar"

In 2016, David Bowie died from liver cancer, two days after both his 69th birthday and the release of his final album, 'Blackstar'.

2018: End of David Bowie Is World Tour

In 2018, the David Bowie Is exhibition concluded its world tour at the Brooklyn Museum. The exhibition had around 2,000,000 visitors during its run.

January 2019: Stardust biopic announced

On January 31, 2019, the announcement of the biopic "Stardust" was made, starring Johnny Flynn as David Bowie, Jena Malone as Angie Bowie, and Marc Maron as Bowie's publicist.

2020: Stardust release is postponed

The premiere of Stardust was scheduled for the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2022: Announcement of Moonage Daydream film

On May 23, 2022, the announcement was made of the film "Moonage Daydream", a documentary on David Bowie's musical journey, written and directed by Brett Morgen, featuring never-before-seen footage, performances, and music framed by Bowie's own narration.