David Bowie Part 3: Labyrinth & Vinyl (1986)
Swiss Birthday & Collaborative Blueprints – January 1986
📅 1986-01-08
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: 39th Birthday Celebration
🗒️ Note: David celebrates his 39th birthday privately at his home in Switzerland. David used this quiet period to prepare for the massive promotional demands of the upcoming “Cinema Year.”
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: 39th Birthday Celebration
🗒️ Note: David celebrates his 39th birthday privately at his home in Switzerland. David used this quiet period to prepare for the massive promotional demands of the upcoming “Cinema Year.”
📅 1986-01-15
📍 Montreux, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Production Prep: Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’
🗒️ Note: David begins intensive pre-production meetings with Iggy Pop and multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kizilcay. They start mapping out the arrangements for what would become Iggy’s most successful 80s album.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Production Prep: Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’
🗒️ Note: David begins intensive pre-production meetings with Iggy Pop and multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kizilcay. They start mapping out the arrangements for what would become Iggy’s most successful 80s album.
📅 1986-01-22
📍 London, 🇬🇧 UK
🏛️ EMI / Virgin Records
🎸 Event: Marketing Review: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Campaign
🗒️ Note: Marketing plans are finalized for the February release of the ‘Absolute Beginners’ single. David remained in close contact with Julien Temple to ensure the music video’s visual style perfectly complemented the film’s 1950s aesthetic.
🏛️ EMI / Virgin Records
🎸 Event: Marketing Review: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Campaign
🗒️ Note: Marketing plans are finalized for the February release of the ‘Absolute Beginners’ single. David remained in close contact with Julien Temple to ensure the music video’s visual style perfectly complemented the film’s 1950s aesthetic.
📅 1986-01-27
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Home Studio
🎸 Event: Songwriting: ‘When The Wind Blows’ Refinement
🗒️ Note: David refines the final lyrics for the title track of the animated nuclear drama. David was deeply committed to the project’s anti-war message, resulting in one of his most evocative vocal performances of the era.
🏛️ Home Studio
🎸 Event: Songwriting: ‘When The Wind Blows’ Refinement
🗒️ Note: David refines the final lyrics for the title track of the animated nuclear drama. David was deeply committed to the project’s anti-war message, resulting in one of his most evocative vocal performances of the era.
📅 1986-01-31
📍 Lausanne, 🇨🇭 Switzerland
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: The Calm Before the Storm
🗒️ Note: David concludes January having secured his collaborative projects with Iggy Pop. This month was the “calm before the storm” ahead of the worldwide blitz for ‘Absolute Beginners’ and ‘Labyrinth’ starting in February.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Month-End Review: The Calm Before the Storm
🗒️ Note: David concludes January having secured his collaborative projects with Iggy Pop. This month was the “calm before the storm” ahead of the worldwide blitz for ‘Absolute Beginners’ and ‘Labyrinth’ starting in February.
Noir Aesthetics & Video Mastery – February 1986
📅 1986-02-03
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ Thames Embankment / Shepperton Studios
🎸 Event: Film: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Music Video Production
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie begins intensive filming for the ‘Absolute Beginners’ promotional video with director Julien Temple. The 1950s noir aesthetic, featuring the iconic “zebra-stripe” makeup and rain-slicked streets, defines his visual persona for this cinematic phase.
🏛️ Thames Embankment / Shepperton Studios
🎸 Event: Film: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Music Video Production
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie begins intensive filming for the ‘Absolute Beginners’ promotional video with director Julien Temple. The 1950s noir aesthetic, featuring the iconic “zebra-stripe” makeup and rain-slicked streets, defines his visual persona for this cinematic phase.
📅 1986-02-10
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ Abbey Road Studios / West End
🎸 Event: Studio: Soundtrack Recording of ‘Volare’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Amidst heavy film promotion, Bowie records a high-energy, theatrical cover of ‘Volare’ (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) for the movie soundtrack. The performance is a deliberate nod to the film’s campy, jazz-inflected nightclub atmosphere.
🏛️ Abbey Road Studios / West End
🎸 Event: Studio: Soundtrack Recording of ‘Volare’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Amidst heavy film promotion, Bowie records a high-energy, theatrical cover of ‘Volare’ (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) for the movie soundtrack. The performance is a deliberate nod to the film’s campy, jazz-inflected nightclub atmosphere.
📅 1986-02-24
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ EMI / Virgin Records
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Single
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The title track for the Julien Temple musical is officially released. It becomes an immediate commercial success, eventually reaching No. 2 in the UK charts and solidifying Bowie’s status as a dominant force in both music and cinema for 1986.
🏛️ EMI / Virgin Records
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Single
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The title track for the Julien Temple musical is officially released. It becomes an immediate commercial success, eventually reaching No. 2 in the UK charts and solidifying Bowie’s status as a dominant force in both music and cinema for 1986.
📅 1986-02-26
📍 Los Angeles, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ 28th Annual Grammy Awards
🎸 Event: Award: Grammy for Best Video, Short Form
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie’s short film ‘Jazzin’ for Blue Jean’ wins the Grammy for Best Video, Short Form. Although he is in Europe for film duties, the award recognizes his continued innovation in the music video medium.
🏛️ 28th Annual Grammy Awards
🎸 Event: Award: Grammy for Best Video, Short Form
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie’s short film ‘Jazzin’ for Blue Jean’ wins the Grammy for Best Video, Short Form. Although he is in Europe for film duties, the award recognizes his continued innovation in the music video medium.
📅 1986-02-28
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ National Press Junkets
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Cinematic Transition
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes the month at the center of a massive international media blitz. This period marks his definitive transition from a touring rock star back to a high-profile cinematic leading man and soundtrack composer.
🏛️ National Press Junkets
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Cinematic Transition
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes the month at the center of a massive international media blitz. This period marks his definitive transition from a touring rock star back to a high-profile cinematic leading man and soundtrack composer.
World Premiere & Absolute Chart Success – March 1986
📅 1986-03-03
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ Virgin Records / UK Distribution
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Single (UK Launch)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The title track for Julien Temple’s musical is officially released in the UK. The 12-inch version features an 8-minute full-length mix, showcasing Rick Wakeman‘s distinctive piano work and a lush production that defined Bowie’s mid-80s sound.
🏛️ Virgin Records / UK Distribution
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Single (UK Launch)
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The title track for Julien Temple’s musical is officially released in the UK. The 12-inch version features an 8-minute full-length mix, showcasing Rick Wakeman‘s distinctive piano work and a lush production that defined Bowie’s mid-80s sound.
📅 1986-03-09
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ UK Singles Chart (BPI)
🎸 Event: Chart: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Hits Top 10
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The single enters the UK charts at No. 9, rapidly ascending to its peak of No. 2. It remains one of Bowie’s most successful 1980s singles, bolstered by heavy television rotation of the stylish noir music video.
🏛️ UK Singles Chart (BPI)
🎸 Event: Chart: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Hits Top 10
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The single enters the UK charts at No. 9, rapidly ascending to its peak of No. 2. It remains one of Bowie’s most successful 1980s singles, bolstered by heavy television rotation of the stylish noir music video.
📅 1986-03-20
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ Leicester Square (Empire Theatre)
🎸 Event: Film: World Premiere of ‘Absolute Beginners’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie attends the high-profile charity premiere in the presence of Princess Diana. While the film receives polarizing reviews, Bowie’s performance as the advertising executive Vendice Partners is singled out for praise by the British press.
🏛️ Leicester Square (Empire Theatre)
🎸 Event: Film: World Premiere of ‘Absolute Beginners’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie attends the high-profile charity premiere in the presence of Princess Diana. While the film receives polarizing reviews, Bowie’s performance as the advertising executive Vendice Partners is singled out for praise by the British press.
📅 1986-03-24
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ Virgin Records / EMI
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Original Soundtrack
🎤 Artist: David Bowie (Various Artists)
🗒️ Notes: The full soundtrack album is released, featuring three Bowie contributions: ‘Absolute Beginners’, ‘That’s Motivation’, and ‘Volare’. These recordings highlight his transition into a more theatrical, big-band vocal delivery.
🏛️ Virgin Records / EMI
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Original Soundtrack
🎤 Artist: David Bowie (Various Artists)
🗒️ Notes: The full soundtrack album is released, featuring three Bowie contributions: ‘Absolute Beginners’, ‘That’s Motivation’, and ‘Volare’. These recordings highlight his transition into a more theatrical, big-band vocal delivery.
📅 1986-03-31
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ National Media Outlets
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Commercial Peak
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes March as one of the most visible cultural figures in Britain. The “Cinema Year” strategy achieves its first major milestone, successfully merging his musical output with his high-profile acting career.
🏛️ National Media Outlets
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Commercial Peak
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes March as one of the most visible cultural figures in Britain. The “Cinema Year” strategy achieves its first major milestone, successfully merging his musical output with his high-profile acting career.
Mountain Demos & Collaborative Foundations – April 1986
📅 1986-04-01
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: ‘Never Let Me Down‘ Pre-production Demos
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie begins intensive demo sessions with multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kızılçay. These sessions are highly experimental, with Bowie aiming for a more “organic” rock sound compared to the polished production of the ‘Tonight‘ era.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: ‘Never Let Me Down‘ Pre-production Demos
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie begins intensive demo sessions with multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kızılçay. These sessions are highly experimental, with Bowie aiming for a more “organic” rock sound compared to the polished production of the ‘Tonight‘ era.
📅 1986-04-09
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Demoing ‘Day-In Day-Out’ & ’87 and Cry’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie records the initial sketches for ‘Day-In Day-Out’. The lyrics reflect his observations of urban decay in Los Angeles, marking a return to more socially conscious and direct songwriting.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Demoing ‘Day-In Day-Out’ & ’87 and Cry’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie records the initial sketches for ‘Day-In Day-Out’. The lyrics reflect his observations of urban decay in Los Angeles, marking a return to more socially conscious and direct songwriting.
📅 1986-04-16
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Musical Exploration of ‘Zeroes’ & ‘Too Dizzy’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Working closely with Kızılçay, Bowie experiments with 1960s psychedelic influences for the track ‘Zeroes’. Despite his later dismissal of the song, ‘Too Dizzy’ is also conceived during this productive Swiss period.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Musical Exploration of ‘Zeroes’ & ‘Too Dizzy’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Working closely with Kızılçay, Bowie experiments with 1960s psychedelic influences for the track ‘Zeroes’. Despite his later dismissal of the song, ‘Too Dizzy’ is also conceived during this productive Swiss period.
📅 1986-04-23
📍 London, UK / Europe 🌍
🏛️ UK & European Singles Charts
🎸 Event: Chart: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Extended Chart Run
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: While Bowie works in Switzerland, ‘Absolute Beginners’ continues its successful run in the European charts. The single’s longevity solidifies his commercial status during this transition back to studio recording.
🏛️ UK & European Singles Charts
🎸 Event: Chart: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Extended Chart Run
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: While Bowie works in Switzerland, ‘Absolute Beginners’ continues its successful run in the European charts. The single’s longevity solidifies his commercial status during this transition back to studio recording.
📅 1986-04-30
📍 Lausanne, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Songwriting Momentum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes April with a substantial body of new material. The creative partnership with Erdal Kızılçay this month lays the groundwork for the ‘Never Let Me Down‘ album and future theatrical concepts.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Songwriting Momentum
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes April with a substantial body of new material. The creative partnership with Erdal Kızılçay this month lays the groundwork for the ‘Never Let Me Down‘ album and future theatrical concepts.
Underground Release & Cinematic Launch – May 1986
📅 1986-05-09
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ EMI Records (UK Distribution)
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Underground’ Single
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie releases the lead single from the ‘Labyrinth’ soundtrack. The track features a distinct gospel-infused production, including contributions from the Albert Collins blues guitar and a backing choir, contrasting with the synth-heavy film edit.
🏛️ EMI Records (UK Distribution)
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Underground’ Single
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie releases the lead single from the ‘Labyrinth’ soundtrack. The track features a distinct gospel-infused production, including contributions from the Albert Collins blues guitar and a backing choir, contrasting with the synth-heavy film edit.
📅 1986-05-15
📍 Cannes, France 🇫🇷
🏛️ 39th Cannes Film Festival
🎸 Event: Film: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Market Promotion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: While Bowie is not personally in attendance, ‘Absolute Beginners’ is a significant presence at the festival’s film market. European distribution deals are solidified this month, bolstered by the soundtrack’s ongoing chart success.
🏛️ 39th Cannes Film Festival
🎸 Event: Film: ‘Absolute Beginners’ Market Promotion
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: While Bowie is not personally in attendance, ‘Absolute Beginners’ is a significant presence at the festival’s film market. European distribution deals are solidified this month, bolstered by the soundtrack’s ongoing chart success.
📅 1986-05-23
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ BBC / Music Video Outlets
🎸 Event: Film: ‘Underground’ Music Video Premiere
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The music video, directed by Steve Barron, premieres. It features an innovative integration of Bowie’s past personas, such as Major Tom and Ziggy Stardust, shown as animated cutouts that bridge his musical legacy with the new character of Jareth the Goblin King.
🏛️ BBC / Music Video Outlets
🎸 Event: Film: ‘Underground’ Music Video Premiere
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The music video, directed by Steve Barron, premieres. It features an innovative integration of Bowie’s past personas, such as Major Tom and Ziggy Stardust, shown as animated cutouts that bridge his musical legacy with the new character of Jareth the Goblin King.
📅 1986-05-31
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Labyrinth & Iggy Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes May as ‘Underground’ begins its ascent on the European charts. He remains based in Switzerland to finalize his production and co-writing contributions to Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’ album.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Labyrinth & Iggy Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes May as ‘Underground’ begins its ascent on the European charts. He remains based in Switzerland to finalize his production and co-writing contributions to Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’ album.
Labyrinth World Premiere & Magic Dance – June 1986
📅 1986-06-23
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Ziegfeld Theatre
🎸 Event: Film: World Premiere of ‘Labyrinth’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie attends the star-studded world premiere of Jim Henson’s fantasy epic. His portrayal of Jareth the Goblin King immediately becomes an iconic part of his 1980s persona, despite the film’s initial modest box office performance in the United States.
🏛️ Ziegfeld Theatre
🎸 Event: Film: World Premiere of ‘Labyrinth’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie attends the star-studded world premiere of Jim Henson’s fantasy epic. His portrayal of Jareth the Goblin King immediately becomes an iconic part of his 1980s persona, despite the film’s initial modest box office performance in the United States.
📅 1986-06-23
📍 New York City / London, USA/UK 🇺🇸🇬🇧
🏛️ EMI America / HMV Records
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Labyrinth’ Original Soundtrack
🎤 Artist: David Bowie & Trevor Jones
🗒️ Notes: The official soundtrack is released, featuring five original Bowie songs including ‘As The World Falls Down’, ‘Within You’, and ‘Magic Dance’. The collaboration with orchestral composer Trevor Jones results in a unique fusion of contemporary pop and cinematic fantasy.
🏛️ EMI America / HMV Records
🎸 Event: Release: ‘Labyrinth’ Original Soundtrack
🎤 Artist: David Bowie & Trevor Jones
🗒️ Notes: The official soundtrack is released, featuring five original Bowie songs including ‘As The World Falls Down’, ‘Within You’, and ‘Magic Dance’. The collaboration with orchestral composer Trevor Jones results in a unique fusion of contemporary pop and cinematic fantasy.
📅 1986-06-27
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ National Press Junkets
🎸 Event: Promotion: US Media Blitz for Labyrinth
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie participates in a series of high-profile interviews for US television networks and major publications like ‘Rolling Stone’. His magnetic screen presence and the film’s innovative puppetry are the primary focus of the American marketing campaign.
🏛️ National Press Junkets
🎸 Event: Promotion: US Media Blitz for Labyrinth
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie participates in a series of high-profile interviews for US television networks and major publications like ‘Rolling Stone’. His magnetic screen presence and the film’s innovative puppetry are the primary focus of the American marketing campaign.
📅 1986-06-30
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Radio City Music Hall (Press Event)
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Review of Jareth’s Cultural Impact
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes June at the peak of his mid-80s cinematic visibility. While ‘Absolute Beginners’ defined his spring season, ‘Labyrinth’ secures his status as a global film star for the burgeoning MTV generation.
🏛️ Radio City Music Hall (Press Event)
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Review of Jareth’s Cultural Impact
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes June at the peak of his mid-80s cinematic visibility. While ‘Absolute Beginners’ defined his spring season, ‘Labyrinth’ secures his status as a global film star for the burgeoning MTV generation.
Japanese Promotion & Iggy Collaborations – July 1986
📅 1986-07-01
📍 Tokyo, Japan 🇯🇵
🏛️ Imperial Hotel / Press Conference
🎸 Event: Film: ‘Labyrinth’ Japanese Press Junket
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie arrives in Tokyo for an intensive promotional tour of ‘Labyrinth’. His popularity in Japan remains at a peak, with his “Jareth” persona featuring heavily in localized television commercials and major print publications.
🏛️ Imperial Hotel / Press Conference
🎸 Event: Film: ‘Labyrinth’ Japanese Press Junket
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie arrives in Tokyo for an intensive promotional tour of ‘Labyrinth’. His popularity in Japan remains at a peak, with his “Jareth” persona featuring heavily in localized television commercials and major print publications.
📅 1986-07-15
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Finalizing Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie & Iggy Pop
🗒️ Notes: Bowie returns to Switzerland to oversee the final touches on Iggy Pop‘s new album. His role as producer is crucial in crafting a more accessible, 1980s-friendly sound, specifically on the lead single ‘Real Wild Child (Wild One)’.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Finalizing Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie & Iggy Pop
🗒️ Notes: Bowie returns to Switzerland to oversee the final touches on Iggy Pop‘s new album. His role as producer is crucial in crafting a more accessible, 1980s-friendly sound, specifically on the lead single ‘Real Wild Child (Wild One)’.
📅 1986-07-21
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ UK Singles Chart (BPI)
🎸 Event: Chart: ‘Underground’ Continued Success
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: As ‘Labyrinth’ prepares for its European cinema rollout, the lead single ‘Underground’ maintains a strong presence in the Top 40. The track’s hybrid production—blending gospel elements with synth-pop—remains a defining sound of Bowie’s mid-80s output.
🏛️ UK Singles Chart (BPI)
🎸 Event: Chart: ‘Underground’ Continued Success
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: As ‘Labyrinth’ prepares for its European cinema rollout, the lead single ‘Underground’ maintains a strong presence in the Top 40. The track’s hybrid production—blending gospel elements with synth-pop—remains a defining sound of Bowie’s mid-80s output.
📅 1986-07-31
📍 Lausanne, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Studio Transition
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes July by shifting his focus from international film promotion back to his primary musical projects. The collaborative success with Iggy Pop this month serves as a creative catalyst for Bowie’s upcoming sessions for the ‘Never Let Me Down‘ album.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Studio Transition
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes July by shifting his focus from international film promotion back to his primary musical projects. The collaborative success with Iggy Pop this month serves as a creative catalyst for Bowie’s upcoming sessions for the ‘Never Let Me Down‘ album.
Mountain Sessions & Sonic Foundations – August 1986
📅 1986-08-11
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Recording Sessions for ‘Never Let Me Down‘
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie officially begins recording his seventeenth studio album, co-produced by David Richards. Aiming for a “theatrical rock” sound, he utilizes a core band featuring Erdal Kızılçay and Kevin Armstrong to create a more direct, guitar-led atmosphere.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Recording Sessions for ‘Never Let Me Down‘
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie officially begins recording his seventeenth studio album, co-produced by David Richards. Aiming for a “theatrical rock” sound, he utilizes a core band featuring Erdal Kızılçay and Kevin Armstrong to create a more direct, guitar-led atmosphere.
📅 1986-08-18
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Recording ‘Day-In Day-Out’ Main Vocals
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie records the definitive lead vocals for the album’s first single. The track’s stark lyrical content regarding homelessness and social neglect was inspired by his direct observations of urban decay during recent travels in the United States.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Recording ‘Day-In Day-Out’ Main Vocals
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie records the definitive lead vocals for the album’s first single. The track’s stark lyrical content regarding homelessness and social neglect was inspired by his direct observations of urban decay during recent travels in the United States.
📅 1986-08-25
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Sonic Experimentation on ‘Zeroes’ & ‘Too Dizzy’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Working with producer David Richards, Bowie experiments with a 1960s psychedelic aesthetic for ‘Zeroes’, including sitar-like guitar effects. These sessions are characterized by high energy as he seeks to move away from the R&B polish of his previous album, ‘Tonight‘.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Sonic Experimentation on ‘Zeroes’ & ‘Too Dizzy’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Working with producer David Richards, Bowie experiments with a 1960s psychedelic aesthetic for ‘Zeroes’, including sitar-like guitar effects. These sessions are characterized by high energy as he seeks to move away from the R&B polish of his previous album, ‘Tonight‘.
📅 1986-08-31
📍 Lausanne, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Studio Momentum Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes August with the majority of the album’s backing tracks completed. He experiences a renewed creative spark during these Swiss sessions, successfully balancing his recent cinematic visibility with a return to a focused and “raw” studio environment.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Studio Momentum Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes August with the majority of the album’s backing tracks completed. He experiences a renewed creative spark during these Swiss sessions, successfully balancing his recent cinematic visibility with a return to a focused and “raw” studio environment.
Studio Mastery & Collaborative Success – September 1986
📅 1986-09-08
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Final Overdubs for ‘Never Let Me Down‘
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie enters the final week of intensive recording for his upcoming album. He focuses on layering guitars and synthesizers with Erdal Kızılçay and producer David Richards to create a dense, “theatrical rock” soundscape that defines the album’s aesthetic.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Final Overdubs for ‘Never Let Me Down‘
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie enters the final week of intensive recording for his upcoming album. He focuses on layering guitars and synthesizers with Erdal Kızılçay and producer David Richards to create a dense, “theatrical rock” soundscape that defines the album’s aesthetic.
📅 1986-09-15
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ A&M / Virgin Records (UK Distribution)
🎸 Event: Release: Iggy Pop‘s ‘Real Wild Child (Wild One)’
🎤 Artist: Iggy Pop (Produced by David Bowie)
🗒️ Notes: The lead single from Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’, produced and co-written by Bowie, is released. Bowie’s polished commercial production style is instrumental in giving Iggy his biggest international hit in years, successfully bridging the gap between his punk roots and 1980s pop.
🏛️ A&M / Virgin Records (UK Distribution)
🎸 Event: Release: Iggy Pop‘s ‘Real Wild Child (Wild One)’
🎤 Artist: Iggy Pop (Produced by David Bowie)
🗒️ Notes: The lead single from Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’, produced and co-written by Bowie, is released. Bowie’s polished commercial production style is instrumental in giving Iggy his biggest international hit in years, successfully bridging the gap between his punk roots and 1980s pop.
📅 1986-09-22
📍 Montreux, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Finalizing ‘When The Wind Blows’ Mix
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: While finishing his own album, Bowie finalizes the mix for the title track of the animated film ‘When The Wind Blows’. This session marks the completion of his primary musical commitments for the high-profile “Cinema Year” of 1986.
🏛️ Mountain Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Finalizing ‘When The Wind Blows’ Mix
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: While finishing his own album, Bowie finalizes the mix for the title track of the animated film ‘When The Wind Blows’. This session marks the completion of his primary musical commitments for the high-profile “Cinema Year” of 1986.
📅 1986-09-30
📍 Lausanne, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Production Wrap
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes September with the ‘Never Let Me Down‘ sessions officially wrapped. He experiences a sense of creative pride, having successfully balanced his diverse duties as a producer, songwriter, and global film star throughout the year.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Production Wrap
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes September with the ‘Never Let Me Down‘ sessions officially wrapped. He experiences a sense of creative pride, having successfully balanced his diverse duties as a producer, songwriter, and global film star throughout the year.
Nuclear Themes & Collaborative Triumphs – October 1986
📅 1986-10-13
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ Virgin Records (UK Distribution)
🎸 Event: Release: ‘When The Wind Blows’ Single
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie releases the title track for the animated film adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ nuclear fable. The song’s somber, atmospheric production, recorded with the Kizmet team, stands in stark contrast to the upbeat pop of ‘Absolute Beginners’.
🏛️ Virgin Records (UK Distribution)
🎸 Event: Release: ‘When The Wind Blows’ Single
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie releases the title track for the animated film adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ nuclear fable. The song’s somber, atmospheric production, recorded with the Kizmet team, stands in stark contrast to the upbeat pop of ‘Absolute Beginners’.
📅 1986-10-20
📍 New York City / London, USA/UK 🇺🇸🇬🇧
🏛️ A&M Records / Virgin Records
🎸 Event: Release: Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’ Album
🎤 Artist: Iggy Pop (Produced by David Bowie)
🗒️ Notes: The album produced and co-written by Bowie is officially released. Bowie’s influence is paramount in securing Iggy Pop‘s most significant commercial success to date, featuring the hit cover ‘Real Wild Child (Wild One)’ and several tracks recorded in Montreux.
🏛️ A&M Records / Virgin Records
🎸 Event: Release: Iggy Pop‘s ‘Blah-Blah-Blah’ Album
🎤 Artist: Iggy Pop (Produced by David Bowie)
🗒️ Notes: The album produced and co-written by Bowie is officially released. Bowie’s influence is paramount in securing Iggy Pop‘s most significant commercial success to date, featuring the hit cover ‘Real Wild Child (Wild One)’ and several tracks recorded in Montreux.
📅 1986-10-27
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ BBC / Music Video Outlets
🎸 Event: Film: ‘When The Wind Blows’ Music Video Premiere
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The music video, blending animation from the feature film with footage of Bowie, premieres on British television. The desolate, haunting imagery complements a vocal performance that is widely praised for its maturity and emotional depth.
🏛️ BBC / Music Video Outlets
🎸 Event: Film: ‘When The Wind Blows’ Music Video Premiere
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The music video, blending animation from the feature film with footage of Bowie, premieres on British television. The desolate, haunting imagery complements a vocal performance that is widely praised for its maturity and emotional depth.
📅 1986-10-31
📍 Lausanne, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Production & Planning Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes October with his soundtrack work and collaborative efforts for Iggy Pop achieving both critical and commercial success. During this period of Swiss seclusion, he begins developing the elaborate visual and theatrical concepts for his 1987 ‘Glass Spider’ world tour.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Production & Planning Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes October with his soundtrack work and collaborative efforts for Iggy Pop achieving both critical and commercial success. During this period of Swiss seclusion, he begins developing the elaborate visual and theatrical concepts for his 1987 ‘Glass Spider’ world tour.
Visual Concepts & Production Finalization – November 1986
📅 1986-11-10
📍 London, UK 🇬🇧
🏛️ West End (Film Premiere)
🎸 Event: Film: ‘When The Wind Blows’ UK Premiere
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The animated film premieres in London, featuring Bowie’s powerful title track. His contribution is regarded as a significant asset to the film’s anti-nuclear message, although the single achieves modest chart performance compared to his massive 1986 soundtrack hits.
🏛️ West End (Film Premiere)
🎸 Event: Film: ‘When The Wind Blows’ UK Premiere
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: The animated film premieres in London, featuring Bowie’s powerful title track. His contribution is regarded as a significant asset to the film’s anti-nuclear message, although the single achieves modest chart performance compared to his massive 1986 soundtrack hits.
📅 1986-11-17
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Masterdisk Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Mastering ‘Never Let Me Down‘
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie arrives in New York to oversee the final mastering of his seventeenth studio album. He works closely with renowned engineer Bob Ludwig to achieve a crisp, high-fidelity sound that matches the theatrical rock ambition of the new material.
🏛️ Masterdisk Studios
🎸 Event: Studio: Mastering ‘Never Let Me Down‘
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie arrives in New York to oversee the final mastering of his seventeenth studio album. He works closely with renowned engineer Bob Ludwig to achieve a crisp, high-fidelity sound that matches the theatrical rock ambition of the new material.
📅 1986-11-24
📍 New York City / Los Angeles, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Greg Gorman’s Photography Studio
🎸 Event: Creative: ‘Never Let Me Down‘ Cover Art Sessions
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie collaborates with photographer Greg Gorman on the visual concepts for the upcoming album cover. He requests a cluttered, highly theatrical aesthetic, heavily influenced by his recent experiences on elaborate film sets like ‘Labyrinth’.
🏛️ Greg Gorman’s Photography Studio
🎸 Event: Creative: ‘Never Let Me Down‘ Cover Art Sessions
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie collaborates with photographer Greg Gorman on the visual concepts for the upcoming album cover. He requests a cluttered, highly theatrical aesthetic, heavily influenced by his recent experiences on elaborate film sets like ‘Labyrinth’.
📅 1986-11-30
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Isolar Office
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Strategic Shift Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes November having successfully transitioned from his high-profile “Cinema Year” back to his role as a full-time recording artist. The global success of ‘Labyrinth’ and his production for Iggy Pop provide significant momentum for his planned 1987 world tour.
🏛️ Isolar Office
🎸 Event: Chronology: Month-End Strategic Shift Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes November having successfully transitioned from his high-profile “Cinema Year” back to his role as a full-time recording artist. The global success of ‘Labyrinth’ and his production for Iggy Pop provide significant momentum for his planned 1987 world tour.
Cinematic Legacy & Studio Wrap – December 1986
📅 1986-12-01
📍 London / UK Nationwide 🇬🇧
🏛️ UK Cinema Release Outlets
🎸 Event: Film: UK Premiere and Release of ‘Labyrinth’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Following its summer run in the United States, ‘Labyrinth’ officially opens in British cinemas. While initial box office returns are modest, Bowie’s portrayal of Jareth the Goblin King quickly begins to achieve a significant cult status in his home country.
🏛️ UK Cinema Release Outlets
🎸 Event: Film: UK Premiere and Release of ‘Labyrinth’
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Following its summer run in the United States, ‘Labyrinth’ officially opens in British cinemas. While initial box office returns are modest, Bowie’s portrayal of Jareth the Goblin King quickly begins to achieve a significant cult status in his home country.
📅 1986-12-08
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Isolar Office / Masterdisk
🎸 Event: Studio: ‘Never Let Me Down‘ Final Track Sequencing
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie and producer David Richards finalize the track sequence for the seventeenth studio album. Bowie expresses particular satisfaction with the “theatrical rock” sound profile achieved during the intensive New York mastering sessions.
🏛️ Isolar Office / Masterdisk
🎸 Event: Studio: ‘Never Let Me Down‘ Final Track Sequencing
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie and producer David Richards finalize the track sequence for the seventeenth studio album. Bowie expresses particular satisfaction with the “theatrical rock” sound profile achieved during the intensive New York mastering sessions.
📅 1986-12-15
📍 New York City, USA 🇺🇸
🏛️ Photography Selection Suite
🎸 Event: Creative: Final Selection for ‘Never Let Me Down‘ Cover
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie selects the final images from the Greg Gorman sessions for the album’s artwork. The deliberately cluttered and colourful aesthetic is designed to mirror the expansive, theatrical nature of the new musical material.
🏛️ Photography Selection Suite
🎸 Event: Creative: Final Selection for ‘Never Let Me Down‘ Cover
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie selects the final images from the Greg Gorman sessions for the album’s artwork. The deliberately cluttered and colourful aesthetic is designed to mirror the expansive, theatrical nature of the new musical material.
📅 1986-12-31
📍 Lausanne, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: 1986 Year-End Strategic Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes 1986 privately at his Swiss residence. He views the year as a major strategic success, having dominated the international charts with ‘Absolute Beginners’ and the silver screen with ‘Labyrinth’, effectively setting the stage for his 1987 ‘Glass Spider’ global comeback.
🏛️ Clos des Mésanges
🎸 Event: Chronology: 1986 Year-End Strategic Review
🎤 Artist: David Bowie
🗒️ Notes: Bowie concludes 1986 privately at his Swiss residence. He views the year as a major strategic success, having dominated the international charts with ‘Absolute Beginners’ and the silver screen with ‘Labyrinth’, effectively setting the stage for his 1987 ‘Glass Spider’ global comeback.