(January 13, 2016) The late David Bowie was an artist of wide tastes who rarely met a musical genre he didn’t like, if not ultimately conquer.
In 1975, entering what he called his “Plastic Soul” period, Bowie released his album Young Americans, which was intended as a tribute to the Philly soul and R&B that he loved. Largely recorded in Philadelphia, the record also featured local musicians, including most notably Luther Vandross and Andy Newmark, drummer for Sly and the Family Stone.
Young Americans peaked at number 9 on the Billboard 200 and its second single, “Fame,” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Featured below is Bowie performing the track on Soul Train before an enthusiastic TV audience. (In the 1980s, Bowie also made headlines complaining about the lack of black artists on MTV and pushed for their inclusion).
With Bowie’s death, music has lost one of its most creative innovators over the last 50 years. Goodbye, David, and thank you for your many contributions to music and your support of soul.
By Robb Patryk
