Join author Chris O’Leary and Bob Stanley to discuss the life, work, and legacy of David Bowie at the London launch of O’Leary’s new book: Ashes to Ashes.

Ashes to Ashes

As we pass the third anniversary of the death of one of the world’s most influential musicians, it’s time to take a closer look at his work — song by song. David Bowie’s restless creativity captured the imagination of generations. Blackstar, the album released two days before his death, became fifth best-selling in the world that year. Now Bowie’s life and work leading up to Blackstar gets the detailed exploration that it deserves.

From ultimate Bowie writer Chris O’Leary comes Ashes to Ashes (Repeater Books), covering every song he wrote, performed or produced from 1976 to 2016. It hits everything from ‘Heroes’ to the Labyrinth soundtrack; from his 1985 duet with Mick Jagger on ‘Dancing in the Street’ to ‘Where Are We Now’, his comeback single in 2013.

Along the way we encounter a vast cast of characters, weaving in and out of Bowie’s life and his music: Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, Nile Rodgers, Lou Reed, Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, Iman, and many others. And we range across the globe from Bowie’s years in divided Berlin to his ‘exile’ years in Switzerland through to his final years as a New Yorker, recording within walking distance of his home.

Chris O’Leary

Chris O’Leary is a writer based in Massachusetts. He has written for Pitchfork, Slate, New York, Mojo, and Billboard. He is the author of Rebel Rebel (Zero Books) and creator of the acclaimed Bowie blog ‘Pushing Ahead of the Dame’.

Bob Stanley

Bob Stanley is a writer, musician, DJ, and film producer. Since founding the influential pop group Saint Etienne, Bob has enjoyed a parallel career as a music journalist, contributing to publications such as the Times, NME, Smash Hits, and the Guardian. He is the author of Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop (Faber & Faber).