David Robert Jones was born at 40, Stansfield Road, Brixton, at 9 a.m. on January 8, 1947, the third child of Margaret Mary Burns, the second of Haywood Stenton Jones. It was a dreary morning in a dreary London suburb, the coldest winter for years, but sometging the midwife said soon livened-up the day.
"He's been here before," she observed, peering closely at the mite in her arms.
"What do you mean?" demanded his startled mother.
"It's his eyes," replied the woman. "They're so knowing."
In: PITT, Kenneth. Bowie: The Pitt Report. London: Omnibus Press, 1985. p. 7.
"Ashes to ashes" - from Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), 1980
"David's a brilliant guy - the painting, the writing. He's a very generous kid. Very shy, but with me he can be himself. I'm like his father."
Toni Masicia, bodyguard (1978)
"Never wear a new pair of shoes in front of him."
Mick Jagger (1980)
"When I started 'The Man Who Fell to Earth' with David, people came up to me and said - 'It's a great idea, but can he act'. I said "Well, what do you think he does in front of ten thousand people at the Hollywood Bowl - That isn't him!"
Nicolas Roeg (1983)
"David is my favourite singer next to my Mum and Dad. And you know, I like him better than Michael Jackson. Sorry Michael."
Sean Lennon (1984)
"David always likes to get in dresses if possible."
Mick Jagger (1985)
Mick Jagger (1985)
In: CURRIE, David; CANN, Kevin. David Bowie: The Starzone Interviews. London: Omnibus Press, 1985. p. 122, 125.