Quick Facts
| Canonical Name | David Bowie |
| Born | January 8, 1947 |
| Birthplace | Brixton, London Borough of Lambeth, Greater London, London, England, United Kingdom |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Occupations | painter, singer-songwriter, guitarist, saxophonist, composer, film actor, record producer, songwriter, actor, singer, pianist, mime artist, vocalist, manufacturer, occultist, music video director, film producer, art collector, musician, bandleader, librettist, visual artist |
| Instruments | saxophone, guitar, piano, voice, keyboard instrument, ARP 2500, musical keyboard, drum kit |
| Gender | male |
| Genres | pop music, rock music, glam rock, psychedelic rock, experimental rock, art rock, hard rock, pop rock, psychedelic pop, alternative rock, soul, new wave, ambient music, avant-garde jazz, art pop, rapping, electronic music, blue-eyed soul, actors, british, classic rock, pop, rock, uk |
| Associated Acts | Tin Machine, The Arnold Corns, Davie Jones and the King Bees, The Hype, The Spiders from Mars |
| Active Years | Active since 1964 |
| Website | www.davidbowie.com |
Identity and Aliases
Biography
David Bowie was an English musician and actor whose career stretched from 1964 to 2016. He was closely associated with The Spiders from Mars, while also working in groups including Tin Machine, The Hype, and Davie Jones and the King Bees.
Born in Brixton, London, Bowie built a wide-ranging career around singing, songwriting, guitar, saxophone, piano, and voice. His work touched pop music, rock music, glam rock, art rock, new wave, soul, electronic music, and related styles, reflecting a restless approach that crossed from mainstream songcraft into more experimental territory.
Alongside music, Bowie was active in visual arts and acting. His aliases and stage names, including Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, became closely tied to different creative phases of his career and remain part of how his artistic identity is remembered.
Career Timeline
Musical Roles
David Bowie worked as a singer-songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, saxophonist, pianist, composer, and record producer. His catalog also reflects work as a bandleader and musician across voice, keyboard instruments, and the drum kit.
Bands and Projects
Releases and Appearances
MusicBrainz lists several release entries connected to David Bowie. These entries may include solo releases, guest appearances, live recordings, and catalogued metadata records.
MusicBrainz-listed Releases and Appearances
Recorded Performances & Appearances
MusicBrainz-listed recording entries connected to David Bowie include:
Musical Style and Instruments
Bowie’s music spans pop, rock, glam rock, psychedelic rock, experimental rock, art rock, hard rock, pop rock, psychedelic pop, alternative rock, soul, new wave, ambient music, avant-garde jazz, art pop, electronic music, and blue-eyed soul. That range points to an artist who moved fluidly between theatrical rock, sharp pop writing, and more exploratory sounds.
Genres
Instruments
Collaborations and Guest Relationships
External Identifiers & Authority Control
Official and database profiles for David Bowie include his official website, MusicBrainz, Discogs, Spotify, IMDb, VIAF, ISNI, GND, and Library of Congress records.
Semantic Graph Data (Knowledge Graph)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was David Bowie best known as a musician with?
A: He was especially associated with The Spiders from Mars. He was also part of Tin Machine and several earlier groups.
Q: What kind of artist was David Bowie?
A: He was an English musician and actor. His work also extended into visual arts.
Q: Which instruments did David Bowie play?
A: He is associated with saxophone, guitar, piano, voice, keyboard instruments, the ARP 2500, musical keyboard, and drum kit.
Q: What genres is David Bowie associated with?
A: His work spans pop, rock, glam rock, art rock, new wave, soul, and electronic music, among others.
Q: Where was David Bowie born?
A: He was born in Brixton, in the London Borough of Lambeth, Greater London, England.
Q: What is David Bowie’s work period?
A: His work period is listed as 1964 to 2016.
Q: Which groups was David Bowie a member of?
A: His group associations include Tin Machine, The Arnold Corns, Davie Jones and the King Bees, The Hype, and The Spiders from Mars.
Q: What is David Bowie’s citizenship?
A: He is listed as a citizen of the United Kingdom.
Q: Did David Bowie also work outside music?
A: Yes. He is also described as an actor, painter, film producer, music video director, and visual artist.
Q: What stage names or aliases are linked to David Bowie?
A: Aliases connected to him include Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke, Halloween Jack, Bowie, and several name variants.