DAVID BOWIE WANTS IDEAS


"Hmmmmm... Who is going to be the next big thing?"

I finally saw that documentary about Klaus Nomi, NOMI SONG. It wasn't as interesting as I was expecting but it did get me to thinking. ...about David Bowie and the Velvet Goldmine that IS his world.

Perhaps Klaus Nomi's most significant moment in the fame spotlight was thanks to Mr. Bowie who utilized Nomi's look and sound to back him up on an appearance on Saturday Night Live. No doubt one of the many reasons for Bowie's success as an artist is his keen sense of what is or what is about to be cool. His use of Klaus went far beyond that appearance on SNL. The Nomi influence is all over the "Scary Monsters" LP --- particularly the look.


"Eddie, is it --- a bee?"


"Oh --- it's a small -- shoe."

And, for David Bowie, half of what he does is related to 'the look'


Klaus influence 75% Bauhaus Design 20% Drugs 5%

Please do not misunderstand -- I am a big fan of David Bowie. I think he is a briliant artiste -- and a damn good actor --- MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE -- THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH -- THE HUNGER ...and, like a rare number of rock artists -- he will be cool to the grave. But, let's face it -- the man "borrows" a lot without giving much in the way of props to those from whom he borrows.

Does anyone remember Bongwater --- the extreme and experimental collaborative between eccentric stoner/rocker/would-be-record-executive, Kramer and performance artist/actress/writer, Ann Magnuson? Well, on their first ep from the 80's Ms. Magnuson spoke a seemingly free-stream of thought against Kramer guitar noise called "David Bowie Wants Ideas" in which she recounts a dream she has had where she is invited to a private party given by David Bowie only to discover that the only reason for the party is because he needs ideas. And, while she is excited to be at his party she doesn't really want to reveal her artistic ideas for him to steal for his own work. At the time I first heard that "song" I thought, "How odd" ...as I had always thought she and Kramer worshiped at the alter of Bowie/Eno/Led Zep/Ono -- and I knew she had been really psyched that her first big break came as the first victim in the classic Bowie/Denueve/Sarandon opus, THE HUNGER. However, I guess she discovered or already knew something about Mr. B. She was, after all a pal of Nomi.

Still, if one were to have an artistic idea "borrowed" or even "stolen" it would be kind of cool to have David Bowie be the one who did it. I mean, who would not be honored to be a part of the Bowie Edge?!?!?!