David Bowie Bowie Odyssey: 75

The journey through Bowie’s extraordinary 1970s continues with another compelling chapter in the Bowie Odyssey series. In this volume, author Simon Goddard turns his focus to 1975—a year of transition, excess, and artistic reinvention for Bowie.

By this point, Bowie had firmly established himself as one of the most influential figures in popular music, but 1975 would see him moving even further away from his glam rock roots. Immersed in the sounds of American soul and funk, he embraced a new musical direction that would come to define this period of his career. The result was the groundbreaking album Young Americans, often described by Bowie himself as “plastic soul”—a bold and unexpected shift that divided fans but expanded his artistic reach.

The year also marked Bowie’s deepening connection with the United States, particularly Los Angeles, where he became increasingly absorbed in a lifestyle of excess. His growing cocaine addiction began to take a serious toll, influencing both his behaviour and his creative output. Goddard does not shy away from this darker side, portraying a man who was both creatively inspired and personally unravelling.

One of the defining moments of 1975 came with the release of the global hit Fame, co-written with John Lennon. The track became Bowie’s first number one single in the United States, cementing his international status and showcasing his ability to evolve with the changing musical landscape.

At the same time, Bowie was beginning to develop the persona that would dominate the following year: the enigmatic Thin White Duke. This character, shaped during the latter part of 1975, reflected both his fascination with European culture and the increasingly fragile state of his mental and physical health.

Goddard paints 1975 as a year caught between two worlds. On one hand, Bowie was reaching new commercial heights and exploring fresh creative territory. On the other, he was drifting further into isolation and instability. It is this tension that makes the year so fascinating—and so crucial in understanding what would follow.

As with the other books in the series, Goddard combines detailed musical analysis with broader cultural context, offering insight not only into Bowie’s work but also into the environment that shaped it. The result is a rich and nuanced portrait of an artist in flux.

For readers already following the Bowie Odyssey series, this instalment is an essential piece of the puzzle. And for those discovering it for the first time, it provides a vivid look at a year that set the stage for one of the most dramatic transformations in Bowie’s career.