One of the all time great rock stars and lyricists, well renowned for his marriage to supermodel Imam, David Bowie is an international star.
He was also called “The Dame” and was recognized for this ‘glam rock’ status in the 1970’s.
Many do know that David Bowie was stuck in cocaine addiction, and even did come out of the frightening ordeal. Not surprisingly many associate addiction to stardom and most especially in the music and entertainment industry.
Bowie; however, does describe his cocaine addiction days as the most darkening periods of his life, although when he was high on drugs he came across like he could possibly do and get away with anything. Ironically he mentions that due cocaine his memory is not what it was. He says that his memory is like Swiss cheese, with parts of it missing and unknown, which caused him extensive emotional damage.
In 1970’s Bowie was at the height of his addiction, he lost most of his weight and looked skinny and white.
The addiction not only reflected in his work, but his personality began to differ, his health worsened and his life was even more erratic and controversial and sent the British press in a tizzy. In one of his interviews he does mention candidly that he picked up his drug addiction when he was in the United States for one of his albums. Another reason cited is because of his rough marriage to his first wife Angela Bowie.
One of his early releases that included the ‘Laughing Pedognome’ was critically acclaimed and received with controversy since it showcased his dealings with his drug addiction and paranoia and had a very distinct nasal tone. He had a couple of alter ego names, namely; “The Thin White Duke” and “Ziggy dust”.
In 1970’s Bowie was at the height of his addiction, he lost most of his weight and looked skinny and white. He confessed to surviving on cocaine, red peppers and milk. All he weighed during these bleakly peak times was 95 pounds, a far cry from what he was. This earned him the title of “The Thin White Duke”. During the late 60’s and early 70’s he even masqueraded as an alien, this put him in the spotlight, he decided to exploit this celebrity status and so he started a drag act that was called “Ziggy Stardust”.
In 1974 he had the opportunity to choose between a better lifestyle and cocaine. Sadly he chose the wrong one, which led him to a twisted habit called the nervous tic. This caused him to use his legs in a dramatic fashion and goose-march. Regardless of the time or place he would follow into a full right arm salute, and also began using a fake German accent all this done in a delusional state of mind.
However, he has managed to come clean after several years, and now enjoys a full complete life free of addiction.
