Spider from Mars

A band member recounts his experience with David Bowie during the early years: Those interested in rock history won''t want to miss this. —Publishers WeeklyFor millions of people David Bowie was an icon celebrated for his music his film and theatrical roles and his trendsetting influence on fashion and gender norms. But until now no one from Bowie''s inner circle has told the story of how David Jones—a young folksinger dancer and aspiring mime—became one of the most influential artists of our time.Drummer Woody Woodmansey''s Spider from Mars reveals what it was like to be at the white-hot center of a star''s self-creation. With never-before-told stories and never-before-seen photographs Woodmansey offers details of the album sessions for The Man Who Sold the World Hunky Dory The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardustand the Spiders from Mars and Aladdin Sane: the four albums that made Bowie a cult figure. And as fame beckoned and eventually consumed Bowie Woodmansey recalls the wild tours eccentric characters and rock ''n'' roll excess that eventually drove the band apart.A vivid and unique evocation of a transformative musical era and the enigmatic visionary musician at the center of it with a foreword by legendary music producer Tony Visconti and an afterword from Def Leppard''s Joe Elliot Spider from Mars is a close-up portrait of David Bowie by one of the people who knew him best.Wild tours behind-the-scenes drama and album sessions . . . revealing. —USA TodayAn engaging behind-the-scenes look at an early phase in the life of one of rock''s most triumphant figures. —Booklist