Romy Haag
Romy Haag is a German singer, dancer and cabaret performer who became a defining presence in David Bowie’s Berlin years. Their connection extended beyond music into nightlife, performance and artistic identity.
Haag was not a conventional recording collaborator, but her role as a performer and cultural catalyst made her one of the most important figures in Bowie’s Berlin creative environment.
- Born: 1948, Germany
- Role: Singer, dancer, cabaret performer
- Era with Bowie: Berlin period (1976–1978)
- Bowie connection: Close collaborator & stage appearances
Berlin’s underground cabaret scene
During the mid-1970s, Berlin was a magnet for artists seeking anonymity, freedom and reinvention. Its nightlife fostered experimentation across music, theatre and performance art.
Romy Haag emerged as one of the city’s most compelling cabaret performers, known for her theatrical intensity and emotional openness.
Meeting David Bowie
David Bowie encountered Haag shortly after relocating to Berlin in 1976. Drawn to her presence and authenticity, Bowie became a frequent attendee at her performances.
Their connection quickly developed into a close artistic friendship.
Shared stage appearances
Bowie made several appearances at Romy Haag’s cabaret shows, including performing on stage at her club venue.
These appearances were informal yet deeply symbolic, representing Bowie’s immersion into Berlin’s underground culture.
Artistic resonance
Haag’s performance style — intimate, vulnerable and unapologetically personal — resonated strongly with Bowie’s own artistic direction during the Berlin era.
Her influence can be felt in Bowie’s growing emphasis on emotional restraint, character and atmosphere.
Beyond recording collaboration
Unlike many figures in Bowie’s universe, Haag’s importance lies outside the recording studio.
She represented a lived artistic experience — a reminder that Bowie’s Berlin work was shaped as much by environment and relationships as by formal sessions.