One of the many fascinating stories about David Bowie is his first trip to the United States 53 years ago on January 27th, 1971. He was there to promote his new album, The Man Who Sold The World. This marked a shift from his previous folk-influenced album, Space Oddity. The album wasn’t doing well in the UK, so his record label suggested a publicity tour in the US, even though he couldn’t perform due to work permit restrictions.
Bowie, who was known for his androgynous appearance, boldly brought his unique style to America. The British version of the album even had him dressed in drag on the cover. Critics were fascinated by his look, with Rolling Stone describing him as “ravishing, almost disconcertingly reminiscent of Lauren Bacall.”
However, not everyone was accepting. Bowie faced hostility, like in Texas where someone pulled a gun on him and insulted him. Despite this, Bowie remained confident in his appearance, remarking that he thought the dress looked beautiful.
Looking back, Bowie’s fearlessness in embracing his androgynous image stands out. He lived his life as a work of art, even through his appearance. At a time when LGBTQ+ issues were not widely discussed, Bowie was ahead of his time.
Although he couldn’t perform, Bowie made media appearances during his visit, including one in Philadelphia shortly after arriving.
David Bowie Interview 94WY Radio Philadelphia Feb 1971
Bowie kept coming back to the U.S., doing shows all over the country many times. Starting off not very well-known, David Bowie won us over with his amazing career, and we’re really grateful for all his music.
