The Immortal Star: David Bowie

It’s a bird, it’s a plane— it’s a starman! While there were several icons that came out of the glam rock era, none were quite as influential and striking as David Bowie. From his distinct eyes to his stylistic shape-shifting, Bowie hit the world like a musical meteorite. Dancing onto the scene with his first hit “Space Oddity”, Bowie’s career got its official start after an unsuccessful run in folk music. Though Bowie is most well known as a musician, it could be argued that his biggest impact can be seen in the way the world now views gender identity and sexuality. With personas like Ziggy Stardust, Bowie was seen wearing makeup, heels, and tight lurex, which had never been seen before within mainstream culture.

Throughout his career, Bowie never shied from using shock and flair to grab the attention of audiences, even coming out on several different occasions. Perhaps the most shocking instance was during 1972, when he came out as gay to Melody Maker magazine. However, even then wasn’t his first time diverging from the norm. As young as 17 years old, Bowie was seen as the spokesperson for “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men”, which argued against the idea that men with long hair were feminine. With these examples alone it can be seen that Bowie was never one to follow the status quo, thus inspiring generations to come.

Although Bowie never intended to be the face of global change, his desire for personal expression and an enhanced way of performing unknowingly sparked a revolution. In fact, he admitted that his personas were a form of escape in a 1983 interview with Musician, “I didn't really have the nerve to sing my songs on stage and nobody else was doing them. I decided to do them in disguise so that I didn't have to actually go through the humiliation of going on stage and being myself”. However, with colors so vibrant and a star burning so bright— the world was forced to pay attention. Whether they were ready for the change or not, the shock and awe around Bowie made him inescapable. By 1972, with the release of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Bowie became the shot heard around the world. The alter ego he created, Ziggy Stardust, an extraterrestrial hailing from a planet unlike earth, was unchained to the gender expectations that humans have created. By referring to this character as an alien, Bowie was able to detach from himself and feel true liberation by exploring his identity as both a person and artist. By creating this alter ego, Bowie didn’t have to take responsibility for his onstage exploration. It could be argued that his onstage persona and the real David Bowie fused— an unapologetic enigma.

Bowie was not the first artist to chip away at the seemingly unmoved gender norms of the 20th century. It can be noted that musicians like Little Richard and Elvis Presley aided in this deconstruction with subtle acts of rebellion— wearing eyeliner, flashy clothes and even sporting the color pink. Though these instances may seem tame by today’s standards, they provided the stepping stones that Bowie would later use to trail-blaze a movement. What set Bowie apart from other artists of the time was the sheer extravagance and worldwide popularity that he commanded. It’s not that he was the only one doing this, but it’s the fact that he was able to achieve commercial success and longevity without compromising his artistic vision. That being said, it’s important to note that this type of acclaim would not have been possible without the privileges of being a part of a dominating social class. Nevertheless, Bowie’s impact is undeniable and can be seen as a cornerstone for a shift in the perception of gender.

The current social climate allows for men to be more comfortable in their masculinity and explore their femininity, even earning high praise and being commended for their bravery. Small actions such as painting their nails or wearing feminine clothing are seen as remarkable acts of “ending toxic masculinity”. While these actions do diverge from the norm and can be considered small triumphs for those who aim to deconstruct the current gender binary, it’s important to recognize those who pioneered the redefining of gender norms like David Bowie. Today’s top performing artists such as Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, and even Janelle Monàe, have all taken inspiration from the legend. Bowie may not be in the current sphere of conversation but his significance in the music, art, and fashion world is unlike any other. Before solely crediting current figures within pop culture for breaking down gender barriers, it’s imperative to look into the past and acknowledge that Bowie and other historical figures have done it first.