David Bowie’s Scary Monsters scores a UK No.1
On This Day in Music History 27 September 1980
On this day in Music History, David Bowie scored his fourth UK No.1 album with Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), his fourteenth studio album and one of the most significant records of his career.
Released in September 1980, Scary Monsters marked another fascinating chapter in David Bowie’s musical evolution. Following the experimental Berlin trilogy of Low, “Heroes” and Lodger, Bowie returned with a record that combined his adventurous art-rock approach with a more immediate and accessible sound.
The album included some of Bowie’s best-known songs, including ‘Ashes to Ashes’, ‘Fashion’, ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’ and ‘Teenage Wildlife’.
Ashes to Ashes and the return of Major Tom
The album's lead single, ‘Ashes to Ashes’, revisited the character of Major Tom, first introduced by Bowie in the 1969 classic ‘Space Oddity’.
But Major Tom had changed.
Rather than the optimistic space-age character of the earlier song, Bowie presented a much darker and more mysterious version of Major Tom. The song became both a continuation and reinterpretation of one of Bowie’s most famous characters.
The accompanying ‘Ashes to Ashes’ music video was equally groundbreaking. Directed by David Bowie and David Mallet, it featured Bowie in his iconic Pierrot costume alongside surreal imagery, colourful visuals and an unmistakable early-1980s aesthetic.
The video was reportedly the most expensive music video ever made at the time, helping establish Bowie as an artist who understood the growing importance of music television and visual presentation.
David Bowie, Tony Visconti and Good Earth Studios in Soho
There is also a fascinating London connection to Scary Monsters.
Parts of the album, including work associated with ‘Ashes to Ashes’, were recorded at Good Earth Studios in Soho, the recording studio founded by legendary producer Tony Visconti.
Good Earth was located in the heart of London's West End and became an important part of Soho's rich recording history. Visconti had already worked extensively with Bowie, producing some of his most influential recordings, and their creative relationship continued through the making of Scary Monsters.
For fans exploring David Bowie’s London, Good Earth Studios provides another fascinating link between the music, the musicians and the streets of Soho.
David Bowie’s London
Bowie’s relationship with London runs throughout his extraordinary career.
Born David Robert Jones in Brixton, Bowie grew up surrounded by the sights, sounds and changing culture of London. From his early days in South London to the clubs, recording studios, fashion boutiques and music venues of Soho, London remained an important part of his story.
It was here that David Bowie developed many of the identities that would make him a global icon from Major Tom and Ziggy Stardust to Aladdin Sane and the Thin White Duke.
His story can still be traced through the streets of London today.
Join My David Bowie Walking Tour of Brixton & Soho
If you're a David Bowie fan, music-history enthusiast or simply fascinated by London's rock 'n' roll heritage, come and join me on my David Bowie Walking Tour of Brixton and Soho.
We explore the places connected to David Robert Jones and David Bowie, from his birthplace and early life in Brixton to the legendary music, recording, fashion and entertainment locations of Soho.
Along the way, I'll share the stories behind the music, the characters, the recording studios, the venues and the people who helped shape Bowie's remarkable career.
Discover the London behind Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Major Tom, ‘Ashes to Ashes’, ‘Heroes’, ‘Life on Mars?’ and ‘Starman’ and uncover some of the hidden Bowie stories that you won't find in a standard tourist guide.
Come and walk in David Bowie’s footsteps through London.
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