The Konrads
The Konrads were an experimental rock group active between 1966 and 1967, best known as the band in which David Bowie first developed a theatrical, dramatic stage persona. Based primarily in Bournemouth, the group represented a sharp departure from Bowie’s earlier rhythm-and-blues roots.
Although the band never released a commercial single, The Konrads played a crucial role in Bowie’s artistic evolution, bridging the gap between his early mod/R&B period and his later emergence as an innovative solo artist.
- Active: 1966–1967
- Base: Bournemouth, England
- Style: Proto–art rock, experimental pop
- Significance: Bowie’s first theatrical band
Formation and musical direction
The Konrads were formed in late 1966 after David Bowie joined an existing Bournemouth-based group that had previously focused on instrumental rock. Bowie’s arrival transformed the band’s direction almost immediately, shifting their emphasis toward original material, dramatic presentation and conceptual ideas.
Early theatrical experimentation
With The Konrads, Bowie began to experiment openly with stagecraft. He introduced mime, exaggerated gestures, dramatic costumes and stylised movement — elements that were virtually unheard of in local club circuits at the time.
These performances often puzzled audiences but clearly marked Bowie’s growing interest in combining music with visual storytelling.
Live performances and reputation
The Konrads performed extensively in Bournemouth and surrounding areas, gaining a reputation as an unusual and challenging act. Bowie’s ambition increasingly clashed with the more conventional musical expectations of other band members.
Dissolution of the band
By mid-1967, creative tensions and a lack of commercial progress led to the band’s dissolution. Bowie soon returned to London, where he formed The Buzz and pursued a solo career with renewed focus.
Historical significance
Though short-lived, The Konrads represent a pivotal moment in David Bowie’s artistic development. The band was the first clear indication that Bowie’s future lay not in traditional pop or R&B, but in performance-driven, conceptual art.
In retrospect, The Konrads stand as the embryonic stage of Bowie’s lifelong fusion of music, theatre and identity.