Join author Chris O’Leary and Owen Hatherley to discuss all things Bowie at the Manchester launch of O’Leary’s new book: Ashes to Ashes (Repeater Books).

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 the 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 and creator of the acclaimed Bowie blog ‘Pushing Ahead of the Dame’.

Owen Hatherley

Owen Hatherley is the culture editor of Tribune and is the author of a number of books including The Ministry of Nostalgia, Trans-Europe Express, and most recently The Adventures of Owen Hatherley in the Post-Soviet Space.