The image of the artist - David Bowie



David Bowie as pictured in the mid 1980's

Bowie as his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust

David Bowie is an icon of music spanning from the 1980's up to his latest album released in 2013. His camp image that came with the success of "Space Oddity" was compounded by his alter-ego, the resplendant, ultra-extroverted Ziggy Stardust. Attitudes towards sexuality coevolved with the advent of glam rock, men emphasising their feminine features while maintaining their strong stage presence. Ziggy's attire and behaviour was so flagrantly homosexual he became sexually ambivilent.

His androgyny put him in a unique position; women loved his power juxtaposed with the lack of sexual intimidation, while men appriciated a man that was so confident in his masculinity that he could feel comfortable dressing in the manner he does.

Glam rock hit its peak in the mid 1970's, with Ziggy Stardust being at the fulcrum. The percieved view that being ultra masculine would appeal to men was rubbished. Bowie took showmanship to the next level which was entertaining to both genders. The combination of costume, musical style and enthusiasm made the whole show quite feminine.