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Hanif Kureishi's avatar

This is an informative, gossipy and revealing look at David Bowie and the legendary Spiders From Mars

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Neal Moore's avatar

Hanif, years ago I optioned to memoir of Bertie Marshall a.k.a. Berlin Bromley and tried for 4 years to turn it into a film. I couldn't find a way to get in touch with you so ended up optioning John Niven to write the screenplay but the whole thing fell through due to financing/tax as these things tend to do. But I always wondered, did you ever know or meet Bertie? Thanks and all the best, N

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Hannah Vincent (she/her)'s avatar

‘Angie had asked me round to hers to give her a perm’ - our records of history need more sentences like this x

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Em St's avatar

Great interview. Will definitely be reading this book. What a life and such inspiring determination in a 22 year old. Eyes on the prize, hands on the scissors for rock and roll history 🥰

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Madeleine Masterson's avatar

So enjoyed this - Suzi must have been special to get on board with such a creative band of people and to get round Bowie's head! And how she describes him is exactly how I perceive him too. He was terribly attractive and so his look was so necessary. And hair changes everything straight away. Very occasionally I come across a hairdresser who can do hair. Suzi was that hairdresser for Bowie! thanks Hanif for sharing Sachin's interview. X

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

I loved this view of rock and roll life from this angle. Can't wait to read the book!

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Marcelle's avatar

Wonderful read. I remember being in complete awe of Suzi as a teenager when following bands around. It will be fascinating to read her story.

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Sam Redlark's avatar

There are no true self-made men or self-made women. That is especially true of Bowie who was this gestalt of influences taken from the margins of culture, or from burgeoning scenes. His genius was to present these influences in a way that made them appealable to the mainstream. I think that is the essential trait of a pop star – You could say the same about Kurt Cobain when he refined the mean-sawn garage rock of early grunge into something that had broader reach while still retaining a measure of abrasiveness; or Madonna before she started chasing her own tail; or the mercurial Lana Del Rey.

This interview demonstrates that Bowie wasn't so much a magpie as someone who became increasingly good at recognising the potential in others and giving them a space within which they could explore their creativity. The artist who I think most resembles him during his early years is Patrick Wolf who has recently returned to music following a lengthy hiatus.

Mick Ronson, who was taken well before his time, had solo success, but I feel him and Bowie together formed something greater than the sum of their parts – the same way that Bernard Butler and Brett Anderson have never quite risen to the same creative heights as they did when they worked in partnership on the first two Suede albums, along with the great b-sides they produced.

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Neal Moore's avatar

I love reading anything about Bowie but especially his early days as I'm from Bromley and moved to Beckenham as soon as I could. Little did I know at the time but my very first flat was at 24 Foxgrove Road, which I later found out was Bowie's old address! Since then I've felt my fandom must be fate. Thanks for this, lovely memories from a lovely woman.

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Gemma O’Brien's avatar

Great interview. Respect to Suzi and Angie for bringing her into the fold.

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Laura's avatar

This is a very enjoyable read. Does Suzi still cut hair?

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Emilse's avatar

GRACIAS!!!!!!

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Snf's avatar

Great 😊

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