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On December 14th, a press release naming David Bowie as the most influential
artist in British pop crossed my desktop. The full text of that press
release may be found below. Upon reading it for the first time, of course
I reflected at some length on the many ways in which David Bowie has influenced
me and made me a better person.
Therefore, authorized by myself as publisher, Word on the Street
is sponsoring an essay contest for readers on this very topic. Please
explain in two hundred words or less how David Bowie has impacted your life for
better or worse. The winning entry will be published in this online
publication, and negotiations for other munificent and appropriate prizes are
underway with the prestigious firm of Jeepers Creepers Glass Eye Manufacturing,
Inc.
Click on the giant, aging, pitifully disturbed Bowie fan to submit your essay.
In a year-long
survey carried out for the newly published “Under The Influence” issue of rock
bible NME (England’s New Music Express), artists have talked for the first time
about their major artistic influences, the band or artist that made them pick
up the guitar or write their first lyrics, etc. Legendary rock star David Bowie
has come out top of the pops, being voted THE MOST INFLUENTIAL artist in their
survey.
Unlike most polls of this kind, the NME “Under The Influence” issue highlights
the true rock n’ roll heroes through the eyes of modern-day pop stars. On
David Bowie, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien said: "I just admire David Bowie in
the ’70s. Sometimes he brought out two albums a year. He was on a mission. His
albums were hit and miss sometimes, but he was brilliant because of that."
Marilyn Manson said of Bowie: "Today there seems to be a lack of icons and
rock stars in general. When I grew up, there was David Bowie and Iggy Pop --
people who had something to say and had quite an impact on music and society. I
thought that’s what rock n’ roll should be all about – too much make-up,
setting things on fire and pissing off parents."
Spice Girl Victoria Beckham chose Stevie Wonder as her hero, saying:
"I was brought up with a lot of Stevie Wonder. I think he’s brilliant.
I’ve always listened to him and I always will."