David Bowie has been graced with a documentary about his final years a decade after his death in January 2016 from liver cancer. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians ever, he constantly reinvented himself, being dubbed the “chameleon of rock”. And he influenced more musical genres than any other rock star, from glam rock, folk rock and hard rock, to electronic, industrial rock and synth-pop, to hip hop and indie rock as well as fashion. He “brought sophistication to rock music” and the intellectual depth of his work was frequently acknowledged. The BBC’s arts editor Will Gompertz likened Bowie to Pablo Picasso, writing that he was “an innovative, visionary, restless artist who synthesised complex avant garde concepts into beautifully coherent works that touched the hearts and minds of millions”.
After his death the German government thanked him for his contribution to ending the Cold War division. His 1987 West Berlin concert near the Wall galvanized East Berliners to protest, chanting “The Wall Must Go,” and his iconic song “Heroes,” written in Berlin and inspired by love in the divided city, became an anthem for freedom.
Born 8 January 1947 9.15 am, he showed musical talent early and was supported by a father who had unrealised dreams of being an entertainer. His schizophrenic half-brother was a substantial influence and introduced Bowie to modern jazz, Buddhism, Beat poetry and the occult. A significant proportion of Bowie’s extended family members had schizophrenia spectrum disorders, including an aunt who was institutionalised and another who underwent a lobotomy.
He had a creative 12th house Sun Mars in Capricorn sextile Jupiter in Scorpio in his far-travelled 9th inconjunct Uranus in his 4th. A yod apex Uranus would certainly indicate an unusual family of birth; and also a trailblazing spirit which allowed him to break down conventional barriers. His Sun Mars were also square an 8th house Neptune again pointing to an intergenerational legacy of a connection to other worlds, a deep well of creativity and an (unconscious) ability to project a mesmerising image.
His 6th house Leo Moon conjunct Saturn and Pluto made for a bleak emotional life certainly in childhood – and intense though unpredictable and changeable relationships in his adult life with Uranus demanding freedom when too much commitment was demanded.
His second yod of Uranus sextile Pluto inconjunct his Sun Mars was fascinating given what a global and disruptive influence such a private man had.
Long time since I looked at his chart – fascinating.
When he died I tried to research who he really was and concluded that he had become who Laurens van der post could have been (Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence/The seed and the sower).
His kindness and humour were stamped everywhere
Rick Wakeman https://youtu.be/jogv7tD18gs?list=RDjogv7tD18gs thrilly music
Wherever David went in his extraordinary life, others followed.
I had the good fortune to see DB
twice, once with the equally
astonishing Iggy Pop in 1977
and on the Serious Moonlight
tour in 1983.
A consummate performer.
One of my regrets is to have never seen David Bowie perform in concert despite a few opportunities to do so, but I did see the Victoria and Albert Museum’s exhibit, ”David Bowie Is…”, on its first international stop at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto in the fall of 2013. It is incredible that this exhibit travelled throughout the world for over five years. I’ve since learned that the Victoria and Albert Museum has opened a permanent David Bowie Centre at V & A East Storehouse in September 2025.
I saw him at an outdoor concert back in the 80s. It was raining, not great when it’s outdoors, but the moment the concert began and Bowie came on stage as planned, the skies cleared. “Somebody up there is on his side”, I thought.
Thanks Marjorie. I’ll tune into that.
I had mistakingly thought that David had Moon in Gemini.
I still find it hard to watch the video to his final single “Lazarus” – which foreshadowed his death. A sad loss.
I think Bowie’s chary works better with Libra ascendant and Neptune conjunct the ascendant.
Thanks Marjorie. He did seem to have a happy and quite enduring relationship with Iman though, whom he lauded over anything else?