Jérôme Soligny

David Bowie Rainbowman: 1967-1980, by Jérôme Soligny, is the first volume of a three-volume work covering Bowie's career in detail and in the words of those most involved in the music itself.

This is not a biography in the usual sense. With the exception of a brief glimpse at his early life, the narrative begins when he begins his musical career. The personal details of his life are limited to things that affect his music and career and, even then, kept to a minimum. Because each work is given a brief introduction by Soligny then turned over to extended quotes from those involved, any speculation about his personal life is largely from those who were there and not those who want to try to play armchair psychologist.

I had heard about the French edition of this set from a friend and am excited to finally read the English version. This volume in particular speaks to me because this is the Bowie I first knew, grew up with, and most cherish. From Space Oddity and Changes through Young Americans to "Heroes," I went from junior high through high school to a reactor operator on subs. Bowie kept me company through it all.

Certainly any Bowie fans will want this (the entire set when available), and any reader who would rather know about how and why the music was made than about who was doing who will love this as well. You do come away feeling like you know him better, though just like every other biographical work about him, not much more than he was willing to share. Which is fine by me. I think each of us has the David Bowie in our mind that we need.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (más)