no captio Photo: AFP
Fifty years ago David Bowie's ninth studio album, Young Americans, hit number 3 on the NZ album chart while the title track reached number 1 on the singles chart.
The soul/funk influenced Young Americans found Bowie abandoning the Ziggy Stardust glam rock sound and image that had launched him to widespread stardom around the world - but with the notable exception of the USA.
In a remarkable reinvention he became the self-titled Plastic Soul Man and with Young Americans he finally convincingly conquered the USA.
Today Ian Chapman examines Bowie's reinvention, highlighting collaborators critical to that remarkable feat.
Ian Chapman is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Music at the University of Otago.
