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Backstage Passes
- Life on the Wild Side with David Bowie
- Narrated by: Angela Bowie
- Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
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Backstage Passes
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Summary
There are countless books about the great rock/pop icon of the 20th century David Bowie. But there's only one written by the woman who met him aged just 19, married him, had a child with him, and helped shape his image and the early stages of his career.
In one of the great rock 'n' roll exposés, Angela Mary Hartnett Bowie gives a riveting account of her years with Bowie and his progress from aspiring young singer to international rock stardom. She emerges as a witty, powerful personality in her own right, and as his partner of 10 years, she has insights into his background and personality that are exclusively hers.
American, educated in Cyprus, Switzerland, the US, and then London, Angie brought her confidence and sophistication to the young David’s life and is credited with conceptualizing the costumes for the Ziggy Stardust stage show, which was his breakthrough to success.
This is a fascinating glimpse into the music and club scene of early-'70s London, and later the rock lifestyle in New York and Los Angeles. Angie knew everyone and gives a colorful, wry account of the ambience and her brushes with other giants of the decade - Jagger, Elton John, Lou Reed, the Jacksons, and members of Led Zeppelin, to name just a few. Her story gives a unique take on life with the inscrutable Bowie, and she recounts the dissolution of their marriage and his descent into cocaine addiction, with courage and charm.
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What listeners say about Backstage Passes
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Old lady gardener
- 04-04-24
Interesting insights into the Bowie early years
I enjoyed the content, obviously it’s just from Annie’s perspective but I felt the excitement of the times. Such a creative, inventive and stimulating era. I found Annie’s voice very grating but that withstanding, I finished the book. Would recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stegs
- 26-02-24
Probably the most entertaining 8 hours of my life
Angie Bowie, née Barnett, ripping yarns, AK47-rates of namedropping, presumably narrated fag in one hand, gin in the other. A vaudeville lipsticked ashtray array of anecdotes, insight and Pollocks of bundterful language.
Probably about as accurate as a US bombing campaign, but she doesn't let the truth get in the way of a great story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- caroline
- 03-11-21
Perfectly honest.
What some may call bitterness, I see as brutal honesty. Angie strikes me as an intelligent woman who is always going to be judged as bitter when she speaks her mind, but speak her mind she does and thank goodness. It makes for a great read where you feel as though you can trust what you are hearing because she doesn't sugar-coat but she speaks with praise where she feels that it is warranted. Therefore one feels that she is telling the truth. The voice takes a little getting used to but once you do it feels entirely appropriate. The occasional faux pas - 'Wild-eyed boy from freeclyde' is an example simply adds to the fervour. Angie's a ball of energy and not the type who wouldntt want to waste time going over this again in order to rectify a comparatively insignificant pronunciation error. She's an unapologetic force to be reckoned with. I can totally recommend for an insight into Bowie that you won't get anywhere else.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 27-09-22
loved it
a look at the glamours world of a pop stars wife's life and not always wonderfull just proving they too are human.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martin Moser
- 15-06-24
it's Angie Bowie. What did you expect...
Opinionated, witty, bitchy and cutting. Wonderful ! I'm sure Angie has more stories to tell. When is volume 2 coming out.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr Sammy Lee
- 18-08-21
Aside from the bitterness this is very enjoyable
A remarkable character with an infectiously fierce delivery- it's a defining era encapsulated in a no nonsense vision with great stories - only to be brought down by a seething bitterness that lurks under only a few sections!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MR JOHN FISHER
- 07-01-22
Backstage Passes Excellent Book
I loved this book Angie Bowie is a great Narrator found it very interesting
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Axis
- 10-04-24
Worth it for the one hilarious chapter
Mrs Bowie does spend a lot if time blowing her own trumpet in this book… though maybe she should since no-one else seems to even though she was clearly key to Mr Bowie’s success.
There are some marvellous moments in this book and the chapter called ‘The Devil Comes to Hollywood’ is absolutely hilarious and brilliantly composed by the author… here she shows an amazing comic narrative talent…
Definitely recommended…
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- slim
- 05-12-23
Loved it
Read this many years ago in fact I still have my copy but Angie narrating it is long overdue loved it honest and very interesting listen .
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- A. D. Loizou
- 08-10-24
Angie’s horrible voice.
I struggled to listen to this, Angie’s voice hurt my head. I had to take lots of breaks and paracetamol. She’s an angry ‘lady’.
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