David Bowie Part 3: The Transition & Collaborations (Feb 1981 – Mid 1982)
The BBC & Film Transition β February 1981
π
1981-02-09
π London, United Kingdom π¬π§
ποΈ BBC Television Centre
πΈ Event: Acting: Filming begins for Bertolt Brechtβs Baal
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie starts work on the BBC production directed by Alan Clarke. He plays the lead role of the dissolute poet, a project that aligns with his interest in German expressionism.
ποΈ BBC Television Centre
πΈ Event: Acting: Filming begins for Bertolt Brechtβs Baal
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie starts work on the BBC production directed by Alan Clarke. He plays the lead role of the dissolute poet, a project that aligns with his interest in German expressionism.
π
1981-02-xx
π London, United Kingdom π¬π§
ποΈ BBC Studios
πΈ Event: Recording: Baal Soundtrack Sessions
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie records five songs written by Bertolt Brecht and Dominic Muldowney for the production, marking his final recordings for the RCA label.
ποΈ BBC Studios
πΈ Event: Recording: Baal Soundtrack Sessions
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie records five songs written by Bertolt Brecht and Dominic Muldowney for the production, marking his final recordings for the RCA label.
Soundtrack Releases & Coordination β April 1981
π
1981-04-14
π Berlin, Germany π©πͺ
ποΈ RCA Records / Film Promotion
πΈ Event: Release: Christiane F. β Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo (Soundtrack)
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: A compilation of Bowie’s Berlin-era material (1976β1979) is released to accompany the film. It features a specific version of “Helden” with German vocals.
ποΈ RCA Records / Film Promotion
πΈ Event: Release: Christiane F. β Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo (Soundtrack)
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: A compilation of Bowie’s Berlin-era material (1976β1979) is released to accompany the film. It features a specific version of “Helden” with German vocals.
π
1981-04-xx
π Europe / USA πΊπΈ
ποΈ RCA Records
πΈ Event: Coordination: Global Distribution of Christiane F.
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie oversees the selection of tracks for the international market, ensuring the soundtrack maintains the dark, atmospheric tone of the film.
ποΈ RCA Records
πΈ Event: Coordination: Global Distribution of Christiane F.
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie oversees the selection of tracks for the international market, ensuring the soundtrack maintains the dark, atmospheric tone of the film.
π
1981-04-03
π United Kingdom, π¬π§ UK
ποΈ RCA Records
πΈ Event: Release: Single β Up The Hill Backwards
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: The final single from the ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’ album is issued, marking the formal conclusion of the album’s promotional cycle.
ποΈ RCA Records
πΈ Event: Release: Single β Up The Hill Backwards
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: The final single from the ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’ album is issued, marking the formal conclusion of the album’s promotional cycle.
π
1981-07-xx
π Montreux, Switzerland π¨π
ποΈ Mountain Studios
πΈ Event: Creative: Informal Collaboration with Queen
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie visits the studio while Queen is recording ‘Hot Space’. An initial plan to sing backing vocals on ‘Cool Cat’ evolves into a spontaneous brainstorming session.
ποΈ Mountain Studios
πΈ Event: Creative: Informal Collaboration with Queen
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie visits the studio while Queen is recording ‘Hot Space’. An initial plan to sing backing vocals on ‘Cool Cat’ evolves into a spontaneous brainstorming session.
π
1981-07-xx
π Montreux, Switzerland π¨π
ποΈ Mountain Studios
πΈ Event: Recording: Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: In a separate session with Giorgio Moroder, Bowie records the original film version of ‘Cat People’. This version is noted for its slow-burn build-up and baritone vocal delivery.
ποΈ Mountain Studios
πΈ Event: Recording: Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: In a separate session with Giorgio Moroder, Bowie records the original film version of ‘Cat People’. This version is noted for its slow-burn build-up and baritone vocal delivery.
π
1981-07-xx
π Montreux, Switzerland π¨π
ποΈ Mountain Studios
πΈ Event: Recording: Under Pressure
π€ Artist: David Bowie & Queen
ποΈ Notes: The collaboration results in ‘Under Pressure’. Bowie is instrumental in the vocal arrangements and the final lyrical direction, including the distinctive “People on Streets” refrain.
ποΈ Mountain Studios
πΈ Event: Recording: Under Pressure
π€ Artist: David Bowie & Queen
ποΈ Notes: The collaboration results in ‘Under Pressure’. Bowie is instrumental in the vocal arrangements and the final lyrical direction, including the distinctive “People on Streets” refrain.
π
1981-08-xx
π London, United Kingdom π¬π§
ποΈ BBC Television Centre
πΈ Event: Acting: Filming for Bertolt Brechtβs Baal
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie completes filming for the Alan Clarke production. His performance as the chaotic poet involves live vocal delivery on set, emphasizing a raw and theatrical aesthetic.
ποΈ BBC Television Centre
πΈ Event: Acting: Filming for Bertolt Brechtβs Baal
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie completes filming for the Alan Clarke production. His performance as the chaotic poet involves live vocal delivery on set, emphasizing a raw and theatrical aesthetic.
Baal EP & Studio Transition β September 1981
π
1981-09-03
π London, United Kingdom π¬π§
ποΈ Abbey Road Studios
πΈ Event: Recording: David Bowie in Bertolt Brechtβs Baal (EP)
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie reunites with producer Tony Visconti to record studio versions of the Brecht songs. The sessions result in five tracks, including ‘The Drowned Girl’ and ‘The Dirty Song’.
ποΈ Abbey Road Studios
πΈ Event: Recording: David Bowie in Bertolt Brechtβs Baal (EP)
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie reunites with producer Tony Visconti to record studio versions of the Brecht songs. The sessions result in five tracks, including ‘The Drowned Girl’ and ‘The Dirty Song’.
π
1981-09-xx
π London, United Kingdom π¬π§
ποΈ Abbey Road Studios / RCA
πΈ Event: Audio: Finalization of Baal EP Production
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Post-production is completed for the EP. The arrangements by Dominic Muldowney are polished to ensure the audio release aligns with the quality of the upcoming BBC broadcast.
ποΈ Abbey Road Studios / RCA
πΈ Event: Audio: Finalization of Baal EP Production
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Post-production is completed for the EP. The arrangements by Dominic Muldowney are polished to ensure the audio release aligns with the quality of the upcoming BBC broadcast.
π
1981-10-26
π United Kingdom π¬π§
ποΈ EMI Records
πΈ Event: Release: Single β Under Pressure
π€ Artist: David Bowie & Queen
ποΈ Notes: The collaboration is released worldwide. It becomes a massive commercial success, reaching Number 1 in the UK charts and marking Bowie’s first chart-topper since 1975.
ποΈ EMI Records
πΈ Event: Release: Single β Under Pressure
π€ Artist: David Bowie & Queen
ποΈ Notes: The collaboration is released worldwide. It becomes a massive commercial success, reaching Number 1 in the UK charts and marking Bowie’s first chart-topper since 1975.
Moroder Collaboration & Film Transition β Early 1982
π
1982-01-xx
π Europe / USA πΊπΈ
ποΈ MCA Records / Universal Pictures
πΈ Event: Promotion: Cat People Soundtrack Preparation
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Following the 1981 recording sessions, Bowie and Giorgio Moroder coordinate with film producers for the marketing of the title track. The song is positioned as a central element of the film’s atmospheric branding.
ποΈ MCA Records / Universal Pictures
πΈ Event: Promotion: Cat People Soundtrack Preparation
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Following the 1981 recording sessions, Bowie and Giorgio Moroder coordinate with film producers for the marketing of the title track. The song is positioned as a central element of the film’s atmospheric branding.
π
1982-04-02
π United States πΊπΈ
ποΈ Film Premiere: Cat People
πΈ Event: Film: Premiere of Paul Schraderβs Cat People
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: The film premieres in the US, featuring Bowie’s ‘Cat People (Putting Out Fire)’ as the lead title track. His dramatic vocal performance receives high critical praise and becomes a staple of early 80s alternative radio.
ποΈ Film Premiere: Cat People
πΈ Event: Film: Premiere of Paul Schraderβs Cat People
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: The film premieres in the US, featuring Bowie’s ‘Cat People (Putting Out Fire)’ as the lead title track. His dramatic vocal performance receives high critical praise and becomes a staple of early 80s alternative radio.
π
1982-04-xx
π International π
ποΈ MCA Records
πΈ Event: Release: Cat People Original Soundtrack
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: The soundtrack album is issued internationally. The title track becomes a major hit in several territories, proving Bowie’s commercial viability outside of a traditional solo album cycle.
ποΈ MCA Records
πΈ Event: Release: Cat People Original Soundtrack
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: The soundtrack album is issued internationally. The title track becomes a major hit in several territories, proving Bowie’s commercial viability outside of a traditional solo album cycle.
π
1982-05-xx
π New York City / Switzerland π¨π
ποΈ Career Strategy Sessions
πΈ Event: Creative: Label & Future Direction Discussions
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie evaluates his contractual status and begins scouting for a new record label. He initiates talks regarding a major stylistic shift, moving away from experimental art-rock toward a more accessible, modern sound.
ποΈ Career Strategy Sessions
πΈ Event: Creative: Label & Future Direction Discussions
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: Bowie evaluates his contractual status and begins scouting for a new record label. He initiates talks regarding a major stylistic shift, moving away from experimental art-rock toward a more accessible, modern sound.
π
1982-06-xx
π International π
ποΈ Career Transition Period
πΈ Event: Chronology: Conclusion of the Collaboration Phase
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: This period of high-profile collaborations (Queen, Moroder, Brecht) concludes. Bowie enters a brief period of intense planning for what will become the most commercially successful era of his career.
ποΈ Career Transition Period
πΈ Event: Chronology: Conclusion of the Collaboration Phase
π€ Artist: David Bowie
ποΈ Notes: This period of high-profile collaborations (Queen, Moroder, Brecht) concludes. Bowie enters a brief period of intense planning for what will become the most commercially successful era of his career.