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Enough about Bowie
 

[Closed] Enough about Bowie

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being annoyed by endless coverage is how I felt when Diana died.

at least Bowie reports have good songs and quotes


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:32 pm
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been reports of "death threats" on fb when linking to stories about the 13 yo and the red kimono


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:33 pm
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Maybe not when he's only just died, Flashy.
Time and place and all that.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:35 pm
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So, when someone dies, we ignore their failings and sins? Gloss over them, sweep them under the carpet? Pretend it never happened?

Or does that only apply to an approved list of people?

That Mugabe fella has a lovely garden, apparently. For example.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:38 pm
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His flirtation with Nazi mythology and Adolf Hitler wasn't one of his high points either. Although he recognised later much of this was due to the huge amount of drugs and alcohol he used.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:42 pm
 grum
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Maybe not when he's only just died, Flashy.
Time and place and all that.

Hmm, if people weren't going quite so over the top with their hero worship then maybe. But I think it's healthy in that scenario to point out that everyone has flaws.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:48 pm
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As an aside (and this is the first time I've commented on any of the Bowie threads*), is this the way forwards for the STW forum when somebody famous dies? A thread for people to post "RIP", one for people to complain about other people not being respectful enough on the RIP thread and a third to complain about the recreational grieving? Seems like a handy way to avoid conflict on here when everybody has a thread with like minded people where they can post what they feel without offending anybody 🙂 Is it something which could also be applied to other controversial subjects?

* I never see the point in posting RIP apart from to demonstrate to other people how with it you are, have managed to avoid most media, so not unduly annoyed by the coverage, and whilst Bowie wasn't a big thing in my life I did like some of his music and appreciate how significant he was


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:49 pm
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His flirtation with Nazi mythology and Adolf Hitler wasn't one of his high points either. Although he recognised later much of this was due to the huge amount of drugs and alcohol he used.

Yeah, I heard Hitler's 'low points' were due to his excessive use of Mescaline.
#godwin'slaw


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:51 pm
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It seems to me the majority of social media posts yesterday were all along the lines of 'I wasn't a fan of his work but I can recognise he was great' (read: not great really but not rubbish either, kind of a bit mehhh)

I always thought there was a touch of the Emperors new clothes about Bowie and his music.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:54 pm
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aracer

* I never see the point in posting RIP apart from to demonstrate to other people how with it you are, have managed to avoid most media, so not unduly annoyed by the coverage, and whilst Bowie wasn't a big thing in my life I did like some of his music and appreciate how significant he was

What did we do before social media when someone died? Just tell our wives/family members/co-workers then get on with our day?


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:58 pm
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There might be some logic there. Bowie (and others like him) have contributed to changing the modern western mindset to one where racism and homophobia (among other things) are seen as being not very nice

Really? China Girl for example... was a piece of misguided crap, that attempted to have a peck at western imperialism but instead came off as the work of an orientalist nonce. It's so mind numbling cringeworthy, even for the 80's.

https://books.google.com/books?id=UQ2UBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA151&lpg=PA151&dq=david+bowie+china+girl+stereotype&source=bl&ots=nbB0VFxKG9&sig=t4BmfsUp2DwtqVEO8_lGa9gbrS8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjzuMDfpqTKAhUT2GMKHZCrDQEQ6AEIMDAE#v=onepage&q=david%20bowie%20china%20girl%20stereotype&f=false

Bowie should have been shot at dawn for simply being a smug, annoying arse who was masquerading as something that he wasn't (having progressive values).


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 1:59 pm
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before social media

I believe the princess of our hearts died pre-social media didn't she? Of course, yes, the country just got on with its life.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 2:02 pm
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I see it didn't take long for the backlash, don't worry it'll over be over soon.

I stopped being offended by how much coverage some story or other gets when I managed to get through 2 Royal Baby arrival without seeing a more than a few seconds of coverage.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 2:02 pm
 grum
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Of course, yes, the country just got on with its life.

It kind of didn't though did it. The country almost completely shut down on the day of her funeral and there was weird/creepy mass hysteria and enforced groupthink during that time. Yes I'm being melodramatic - but only slightly!


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 2:12 pm
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[quote=deadlydarcy ]I believe the princess of our hearts died pre-social media didn't she? Of course, yes, the country just got on with its life.

Yeah, but at least you didn't read about how much everybody was missing her on FB. 😈


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 2:30 pm
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Patronising bell eh? Who'dve guessed

Oh come on, when you make such ridiculous comments as

If the passing of Bowie isn't culturally significant enough to stir the media for hours/days - then nothing really matters.

Then you're really leaving yourself wide open aren't you?

Yes, he may have shifted things in his earlier years but in my lifetime (early 80's onwards) I can't think of a single noteworthy thing he's done apart from that equally ridiculous codpiece. He has absolutely no cultural bearing on my life and whilst I respect the fact that for people who 'were there' this may be somewhat different he's worthy of no more media attention than any other pop star.

And as for time and place for bringing up uncomfortable truths, pretty sure folk were saying the same when Savile popped it and, yes, John Peel.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 2:36 pm
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[quote=squirrelking ]Yes, he may have shifted things in his earlier years but in my lifetime (early 80's onwards) I can't think of a single noteworthy thing he's done apart from that equally ridiculous codpiece. He has absolutely no cultural bearing on my lifeTBF, he probably [i]has[/i] in ways you don't recognise - through his influence on other people and artists. There was an interview doing the rounds yesterday where he was talking about being verbally abused in the streets just for having long hair. Bowie (along with other artists of the era) did help change the scope of what we now define as "normal".


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 2:40 pm
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I believe the princess of our hearts died pre-social media didn't she? Of course, yes, the country just got on with its life.

Some of us did , long live the republic.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 2:41 pm
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What a way to find out that Bowie's died. Hmmmm... STW - you really are unique one.

Hanging out in SE Asia for a few weeks, chilling out, ignoring practically everything that is going on in the world - and click on a thread 'enough about...'

Sheeeeet. I'm stunned. :-/


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 2:48 pm
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You probably want this thread ned
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/david-bowie

As I mentioned up there, I don't see why we can't have this thread as well - most people have been civilised enough not to air the thoughts they've expressed here on the other one. It's hardly the fault of the contributors to this one that the other one has dropped off the front page (or that your only source of news is STW 😉 )

Here's the third thread I mentioned, just in case you find that more to your taste
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/thread-for-people-who-want-to-debate-the-reaction-to-someones-death


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:04 pm
 copa
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Yes, he may have shifted things in his earlier years but in my lifetime (early 80's onwards) I can't think of a single noteworthy thing he's done apart from that equally ridiculous codpiece.

Aye, he's as important and influential to me as Captain Sensible, Chris Rea, Phil Collins and Midge Ure. He was just another one of those celebs who would pop up on kid's TV.

He was the prancing idiot from the Dancing in the Street video. A man who, behind the changing fashions, always struck me as a profoundly dull person. Somebody with absolutely nothing to say.

His music represented everything I disliked about music in the 80s. A bland, thin, tinny and over produced noise. Syrupy songs accompanied by screechy saxophone.

And while, I'm sure he was influential. For me, it seemed a bad influence. He was the perfect pop star for the 80's, a fairly bland and generic product who had understood how to market and rebrand himself.

He was style over substance. The inspiration for the likes of Lady Gaga.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:09 pm
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Don't diss Gaga!


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:14 pm
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Edit - blimmin youtube


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:14 pm
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Someone has already put my thoughts into words for me...

http://newsthump.com/2016/01/12/man-declares-everyone-stupid-for-mourning-david-bowie-awaits-medal/


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:15 pm
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It kind of didn't though did it. The country almost completely shut down on the day of her funeral and there was weird/creepy mass hysteria and enforced groupthink during that time.

Really? You don't say! 😀


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:17 pm
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Somebody with absolutely nothing to say.

This was one of his great strengths in my view as someone said yesterday of everyone popping up on socal media

Bowie was a private individual who didn’t ever spout platitudes and inanities about everything going on around him. You’d think some of these people would bear this in mind.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:19 pm
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And while, I'm sure he was influential. For me, it seemed a bad influence. He was the perfect pop star for the 80's

Just one second my good man....

Lets take a look at the band that, more than any other, was the rebellion against over produced noise .... Nirvana.

And now lets look at their big break through moment ... Live in New York ... and one of the stand out tracks that evening...?

The Man Who Sold the World ... written by ... Bowie, of course

That said, not sure he cared for his later 80's stuff that much himself.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:25 pm
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[quote=deadlydarcy ]Really? You don't say!

But he did say, didn't he? 😕

You seem to keep posting things you don't mean, it's awfully confusing...


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:31 pm
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Oh dear, I think it's OK to complain about the mawkish hysteria that we seem to get when any sleb passes on, but is it really necessary to speak ill of the dead? OK you didn't like him, why do you feel the need to be here talking about him then, nasty rude <insert appropriate word meaning hopeless person on cycling forum> honestly manners cost nothing at least show some respect, even if you disagree with the volume shown by others.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:38 pm
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And we'll have to go through all this indignation again in a few weeks

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35289998


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:42 pm
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Ro5ey - Member

Lets take a look at the band that, more than any other, was the rebellion against over produced noise .... Nirvana.

ok.

And now lets look at their big break through moment

Reading, 1992.

and they'd been going for a good while before that.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:47 pm
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You seem to keep posting things you don't mean, it's awfully confusing...

Yes, I can see that now.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 3:52 pm
 dazh
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but is it really necessary to speak ill of the dead? but is it really necessary to speak ill of the dead?

It's neither about speaking ill of the dead or not liking him. Simply a response to the quite frankly hysterical reaction of both the media and a large chunk of the population to the death of a man who whilst unquestionably inspirational and a musical genius, also had a serious dark side which people should be open about, rather than conveniently ignoring them because it doesn't suit the collective idea of him.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 4:15 pm
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Ro5ey - Member

And now lets look at their big break through moment ... Live in New York ...

Their breakthrough moment was probably MTV playlisting Smells Like Teen Spirit tbh, Live in New York wouldn't have happened if they'd not already been well and truly broken through- they'd already had a number one album and owned Reading.

(also they covered the Vaselines in that set so I'm not sure what it says for quality/taste 😉 )


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 4:36 pm
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Ro5ey - Member

Just one second my good man....

Lets take a look at the band that, more than any other, was the rebellion against over produced noise .... Nirvana.

And now lets look at their big break through moment ... Live in New York

HA HA! Really?! That MTV Unplugged mush....? No way.
As it stands, it is quite a good mellow bit of music. But they were big way before then!
And yes they covered The Man who Sold the World, but they also covered other tracks & did a load of their own stuff.....that track was hardly the defining moment of the evening (for me.....I prefer their version of Jesus don't want me for a sunbeam to the David Bowie cover and the moment when Kurt asks in the background 'what are they tuning........a harp?' between songs).

You only got to do MTV unplugged if you were already a successful act.

Perhaps MTV unplugged was a breakthrough for them, but only to all the people who wanted to like Nirvana but preferred to listen to them with the edges smoothed off, the distortion pedal disconnected & the volume no louder than a 5 on the dial.....


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 4:57 pm
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Ro5ey - Member

Lets take a look at the band that, more than any other, was the rebellion against over produced noise .... Nirvana.

Surely Nirvana was the media friendly pop version of the grunge scene that was coming out of North West US. I always preferred Mud Honey.


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 4:59 pm
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Has Nirvana died as well now? 😥


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 5:32 pm
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dazh - Member
but is it really necessary to speak ill of the dead? but is it really necessary to speak ill of the dead?
It's neither about speaking ill of the dead or not liking him. Simply a response to the quite frankly hysterical reaction of both the media and a large chunk of the population to the death of a man who whilst unquestionably inspirational and a musical genius, also had a serious dark side which people should be open about, rather than conveniently ignoring them because it doesn't suit the collective idea of him.

As I quite rightly agreed and can be argued without saying he should have been shot because one tune didn't meet with the criterior of at least one particular commentator here. We all live our lives we all make mistakes as indeed he did, that was another quality, not fearing the consequence of breaking new ground, you don't alwys get it right, but to most he got it right more often than he got it wrong. Will I be as upset when Paul McCartney, or Mick Jagger wend their merry way to their maker, I don't think so. You needed to have been young, vulnerable or just plain confused at the time he came on the scene, to really appreciate what he did, the rest is what he can be criticisd for just a Pop star, but he was [i]THE[/i] star that broke the ground for everyone else, and I'd love a quid for every time he's been sampled. You could say the same about Jerry Lee, or Chuck Berry, but they were not quite as artistic nor were their lyrics in the same league, anyway far be it from me to continue eulogising on a thread that's about being fed up with it, I'm just saying 'kids, show some respect for your elders' and betters in this case. 😉


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 5:43 pm
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is this how the OP expected the thread to go...


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 5:51 pm
 grum
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bluehelmet living up to the latter part of his user name there ^^^^


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 5:56 pm
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Of course he did. It is STW 🙂


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 5:57 pm
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I always preferred Mud Honey.

Mudhoney, no?


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 6:04 pm
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grum - Member
bluehelmet living up to the latter part of his user name there ^^^^

And you're here to say what Mr Grum, something pertinent about the mass hysteria, something horrid about Mr Bowie, or to just emulate a male chicken?


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 6:05 pm
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bluehelmet
I'm just saying 'kids, show some respect for your elders' and betters in this case.

Was he better than us because he was richer, or because he was more famous?


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 6:09 pm
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jimjam - Member
bluehelmet
I'm just saying 'kids, show some respect for your elders' and betters in this case.
Was he better than us because he was richer, or bacuase he was more famous?

I can't possibly answer that individually for all I know you could be a living saint, but to generalise, he was better than those being nasty about someone who is dead on an internet forum, OK?


 
Posted : 12/01/2016 6:12 pm
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