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David Bowie’s ‘Fame’: John Lennon, Carlos Alomar and the Accidental Birth of a No.1

Writer: Grant Gutterigde
Grant Gutterigde
Sep 20
4 min read

On this day in music history, 20 September 1975



On this day in music history David Bowie reached No.1 in the US for the first time with ‘Fame’ a groundbreaking funk-rock classic born from a studio jam involving Bowie, John Lennon and guitarist Carlos Alomar.


But the story behind ‘Fame’ is every bit as fascinating as the record itself.

It involves a killer guitar riff, a disco hit called ‘Shame, Shame, Shame’, John Lennon singing along in the studio and Bowie turning an unexpected moment into one of the biggest singles of his career.


🎸 The riff that started it all

The foundations of ‘Fame’ were laid during the recording of David Bowie's Young Americans album at Electric Lady Studios in New York. Guitarist Carlos Alomar came up with the distinctive funk guitar riff that drives the song. The riff had actually been developed from an earlier studio jam around the rhythm of the Flamingos' ‘Foot Stompin’’, with Alomar playing a funky groove that immediately caught Bowie's attention.


Bowie recognised that they had something special. Then John Lennon entered the picture.


John Lennon, ‘Shame, Shame, Shame’ and ‘Fame’

During the session, Lennon began singing the words “Shame, shame, shame”, from the 1974 disco hit ‘Shame, Shame, Shame’ by Shirley & Company. Bowie reportedly heard Lennon singing “shame” and played with the word, turning it into “fame.”


It was a simple idea but one that perfectly fitted the subject Bowie wanted to explore.

With Alomar's infectious guitar riff providing the musical foundation, Bowie and Lennon began developing the song. What started as a loose studio jam became ‘Fame’.


The songwriting credit ultimately went to David Bowie, John Lennon and Carlos Alomar.

It was an extraordinary collaboration: the former Beatle, the ever-changing rock chameleon and one of the great funk guitarists of the era.


What is ‘Fame’ really about?

Beneath its irresistible groove, ‘Fame’ is a dark song about celebrity. By 1975, Bowie knew exactly what fame could bring money, success, adoration and international recognition, but also pressure, manipulation and the loss of privacy.


The lyrics take aim at the music business and the machinery surrounding celebrity. And there's an irony at the heart of it all. A song questioning the price of fame would itself make Bowie more famous than ever.


Listen for John Lennon

Lennon's contribution wasn't simply part of the story behind the song. His voice can be heard on the recording, particularly towards the end, where he repeats the word “fame” as the vocal is manipulated through different tape speeds.


The effect gives the ending its distinctive, almost otherworldly quality. So when you hear that strange, descending vocal at the end of ‘Fame’, you're hearing John Lennon helping David Bowie create his first American No.1.


David Bowie conquers America

Released as a single from Young Americans, ‘Fame’ became Bowie's breakthrough at the top of the US singles chart. On 20 September 1975, it reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Bowie his first American chart-topper.


It was a remarkable achievement for an artist who had spent years developing his career and constantly reinventing his musical identity. The irony was that ‘Fame’ only reached No.17 in the UK.But in America, Bowie had finally reached the summit.


The Bowie–Lennon connection

The friendship between Bowie and Lennon produced another important moment on Young Americans. Lennon also played guitar and sang backing vocals on Bowie's recording of ‘Across the Universe’, making the album a remarkable document of their creative relationship.


Bowie had long admired The Beatles, while Lennon recognised something unique in Bowie's ability to constantly reinvent himself. Their meeting in New York resulted in one of the most unlikely and memorable collaborations in rock history.


And it all came together around a guitar riff, a disco song and a moment of studio spontaneity. Carlos Alomar supplied the groove. John Lennon supplied the “shame.”David Bowie turned it into “Fame.”


And the rest is rock history.


🎸 From Bowie and Lennon to London's Rock & Roll History

Although ‘Fame’ was created and recorded in New York, David Bowie and John Lennon are both essential parts of the wider story of rock and roll a story I love bringing to life on my Magical Music Tours Rock & Roll Tour of Soho.


On my Rock & Roll Tour of Soho, we explore the streets, clubs, recording studios and legendary venues where London's music history was made. From Heddon Street, immortalised on the cover of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, to Wardour Street, the Marquee Club, Regent Sound Studios, Trident Studios, the Bag O'Nails and Carnaby Street, we uncover the stories behind the music.


Along the way, you'll discover connections to David Bowie, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Marc Bolan, The Who, Pink Floyd, Oasis, The Sex Pistols and many more.


These aren't just streets and buildings. They are the places where rock history happened.

That's what makes London's musical heritage so extraordinary and what makes my Magical Music Tours Rock & Roll Tour more than simply a sightseeing walk.


It's a journey through the people, places and stories that changed popular music forever.


🎸 Walk the Streets. Discover the Stories. Stand Where Rock History Happened.

Join Magical Music Tours and discover the hidden musical history of Soho with a passionate rock & roll aficionado and guide.


David Bowie. John Lennon. Carlos Alomar. ‘Fame’. A guitar riff. A little ‘Shame, Shame, Shame’. And one accidental spark of inspiration that became a US No.1. That's the magic of rock & roll.


And that’s how music makes history

📆 Check the Calendar on my website for tour dates and times.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Private group and corporate tours are also available – email me for details.


 
 
 

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