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From stage presence to musical talent, I could spend a lifetime trying to identify the greatest rock star of all time. There is so much to consider. And when all is said and done, you will probably disagree with my choice because it is purely subjective.
Should I go for a Rock and Roll legend like the charismatic Elvis Presley or the enigmatic Bob Dylan. Or the guitar wizardry of Jimi Hendrix who it seems is destined to always be top of the list of the greatest blues/rock guitarists. Or how about great stage performers like Michael Jackson and Prince.
What about Paul McCartney and John Lennon – leaders of the Beatles who led the great 1960s rock evolution? Then I would incur the wrath of Rolling Stones fans who would swear Mick Jagger deserves the title by far. Then there was Freddie Mercury of Queen, Jim Morrison – the Doors. The list goes on. Great singers and guitarists who all changed the face of rock music in no small measure.
But after taking all this into account, my greatest rock star of all time is David Bowie. An artist who stood out from the rest. Bowie never stood still. He embodied the radical essence of rock and roll with his passionate lyrics, theatrical performances, and unbelievable artistry.
David Bowie challenged convention and himself from the moment he exploded on to the Rock scene in the 1960s until his sad death in 2016 at the age of 69. He was unique beyond measure.
Why is David Bowie The Greatest Rock Star?
Profound lyrics, an incredible vocal range, a unique sound, and iconic performances set Bowie apart.
He wielded the power of dramatic storytelling and cemented his place in the rock and roll hall of fame. Bowie’s lyrics explored the feeling of being an outsider and resonated with the hearts of millions of people who felt lonely and on the outskirts of society. True to the soul of rock music, his was the anthem of misfits and rebels.
His music evolved throughout the years, picking up influences from rock, cabaret, jazz, and even folk music while remaining true to his own unique sound. Charismatic and mysterious, David Bowie cultivated an image of spectacle and drama.
His spectacular live performances were designed to fill his audience with a sense of awe and fascination. And they did, time after time.
Some of his most iconic costumes included Japanese kimonos, spacesuits, bright bodysuits, knit leotards, and statement capes. His gender-bending personas and socially aware lyrics were constantly pushing the buttons of still conservative parents in the 1970s.
Parents were horrified, but their kids loved it.
If there is one thing that makes David Bowie the greatest rock star of all time, it was the skill with which he navigated his immense popularity and stardom.
You can’t get much cooler than Bowie and Lou Reed were on David’s 50th birthday.
Lyrical Artistry and Visual Imagery
What sets David Bowie’s music apart from his contemporaries is the artistry in his lyrics. He combined intense visual imagery, layered concepts, deep subtext, and unusual wordplay.
1984 – a track from the 1974 album Diamond Dogs is an ode to George Orwell’s classic novel – 1984. Orwell explored the threat of mass surveillance and the repressive nature of totalitarian regimes. Bowie says.
Someday they won’t let you, now you must agree
The times they are a-telling, and the changing isn’t free.
You’ve read it in the tea leaves, and the tracks are on TV.
Beware the savage jaw of 1984.
Far from creating straightforward, feel-good music, Bowie’s biggest hits were profound and layered. Just consider the subtext in Life on Mars, one of his most popular songs.
It’s on America’s tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
‘Cause Lennon’s on sale again.
When it was first released in 1971, Life of Mars was competing on the charts with
- Elton John’s – Your Song,
- John Lennon’s – Imagine, and
- James Taylor’s – You’ve Got A Friend.
In addition to the musicality and wordplay, Bowie’s lyrics addressed serious topics like Lennin, and Russia. But they left room for his fans to find their own interpretations of the songs. That’s what makes his songs rock n roll classics; you can listen to them a dozen times and still find something new.
Exceptional Vocal Range adds Magic
While the depth of his lyrics definitely played a huge role in ensuring the longevity of his career, it was his exceptional vocal range that gave his music that magical quality or je ne sais quoi.
Bowie was a formidable vocalist, with perfect technique and incredible range. Although his normal range went from G1 to G5, he went past either end of the scale in his live performances.
You only need to listen to his falsetto wailing in Teenage Wildlife to understand why Bowie deserves consideration as one of the best rock vocalists. Or even the powerful tenor in Life on Mars, where he eases into a B flat with incredible ease.
It’s the combination of all of his talents that make him the greatest rock star of all time.
Musical Expression through many Genres
David Bowie was known for his continually morphing stage persona, with each of his concept albums exploring strange narratives and creating new characters. But none of that would have been possible if he hadn’t possessed the incredible skill, talent, and gumption to constantly push the boundaries of contemporary sound.
His music picked up inspiration from Philadelphia funk, German electronica, popular dance music, art rock, jazz beats, and a dozen other cult genres that Bowie exposed to the limelight.
Bowie’s Sound always Evolved
To feel the evolution of Bowie’s sound and message, listen to Soul Love from Ziggy Stardust. Recorded while he was a young man in his prime, Bowie pushes his vocal range to the limit and you can almost hear it crack on the record as a laid-back rhythm and drums section propels the song.
Then you have Bowie playing the sax with the confidence of a maestro, giving the track an original twist. Youthful and raw, this is a track that showcases the raw talent of a supernova trying to prove his worth.
Contrast that with Black Star, the polished culmination of his life’s journey. His low and thick timbre put to the sound of a jazz band, produced to perfection. Layered, sampled, looped, and abstracted, this is the work of a legend who knows where he stands.
In – I Can’t Give Everything Away – he sings a final goodbye.
I know something’s very wrong
The pulse returns the prodigal sons
The blackout hearts, the flowered news
With skull designs upon my shoes
I can’t give everything away.
And if that doesn’t bring tears to your eyes then nothing will!
Bowie’s Stage Performances were Theatrical and Outrageous
David Bowie’s BBC performance for Starman on Top Of The Pops catapulted him into stardom. From the lazy arm draped over Mick Ronson to the way he pointed and smiled at the camera, Bowie was able to engage the audience at home, and curate the attractive Ziggy Stardust persona.
His 1990 Sound and Vision Tour spanned 5 continents over 7 months, outdoing even Serious Moonlight and Glass Spider. Incredibly theatrical, Bowie’s outrageous set design came complete with an avant-garde dance troupe.
With every performance, David Bowie further cemented his place as the greatest rock star of all time.
Record Sales among the highest ever
His discography and record sales make him one of the best-selling acts in the world. With over 140 million records sold during his lifetime, Bowie dominated the charts in the UK and US.
26 top-selling studio albums helped change the face of rock, R&B, funk, hip-hop, and folk music.
From his first solo album to his last, Bowie’s influence on the music industry has been immense. He was a musical great who was able to merge theatre and drama with music, creating a fantastical world that was all his own.
But what makes Bowie such a legend is the fact that he never let numbers and record sales interfere with his art. When he retired his Ziggy Stardust persona at the peak of its popularity, he knew it was better to leave the people wanting more than play it out. Perhaps Bowie’s biggest accomplishment is the zeal with which he guarded his brand throughout his lifetime.
Final Thoughts
David Bowie is the embodiment of the spirit of rock n roll, nonconformity, free expression, and a fearless pursuit of music. He established himself as an icon with his raw musical talent, and he constantly pushed himself to the brink with each album, each song, each performance.
His unconventional career was full of twists and turns as he experimented with sounds and concepts. Dedicated to his craft, Bowie spent his life turning down opportunities others would die for, including two offers of a knighthood, a Danny Boyle musical, a guest role on Doctor Who, and the role of a villain in a Bond film.
David Bowie collaborated with many Rock greats like Queen, John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Tony Visconti, Iggy Pop, and Mick Ronson. From his dramatic stage presence to his extensive discography, Bowie’s musical career undeniably establishes the Thin White Duke as the greatest rock star of all time.