Got your mother in a whirl
She's not sure if you're a boy or a girl
To call David Bowie a musical chameleon is an understatement. A chameleon may be able to change its colors, but it remains a chameleon. It can't turn itself into a fish or a bird or a monkey.
It seemed that Bowie changed musical identities almost as often as I change my underwear. (Once a week, whether I need to or not.) When I was in college, he was a glam-rocker from outer space (Ziggy Stardust). During my law-school years, he was a funk/soul/disco dude (the "Thin White Duke"). Later he transformed into the cooly post-modern minimalist of the "Berlin Trilogy" albums. So confusing!
His 1974 album, Diamond Dogs, was his last glam-rock album and his first "plastic soul" album. (One + one = one in this case.)
His 1974 album, Diamond Dogs, was his last glam-rock album and his first "plastic soul" album. (One + one = one in this case.)
"Rebel Rebel" – his last glam-rock single – was originally written for a planned Ziggy Stardust musical that never got off the ground. It's a gender-bender like the Kinks' "Lola," but sounds more like an old Rolling Stones song.
Dozens of other artists have covered it – everyone from the Bay City Rollers to Def Leppard to Duran Duran to Joan Jett to Iggy Pop to the Smashing Pumpkins.
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Neville Neville, they're in defence
Neville Neville, their future's immense
Neville Neville, they ain't half bad
And yes, Neville Neville is the actual name of Gary's and Phil's dad, a former cricketer.
Netballer Tracey Neville |
By the way, Neville Neville's other child, daughter Tracey – Phil's fraternal twin – is a professional netball player (whatever netball is).
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Click here to watch a fabulous old video of Bowie lip-synching "Rebel Rebel."
Click here to order the record from Amazon.
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