David Bowie was one of the most important and influential artists to emerge from the 1970s and yet he remains one of the most elusive figures in rock. This book views his career through nearly three decades of popular cultural commentary. Giving full weight to Bowie's stage and screen career as well as his music, the book includes some contemporary articles from the British and American press and material written from the benefit of hindsight. Gordon Burn offers a backstage look at "The Elephant Man", Philip Norman pens a critique of "Absolute Beginners", Lindsay Kemp reminisces on his years as Bowie's friend and mime teacher, Anne Rice and Jon Savage examine the question of Bowie and gender, and Craig Copetas catches a curious conversation between Bowie and William Burroughs. Other contributors include the late Marc Bolan, Michael Bracewell, Simon Frith, Pauline Kael, John Rockwell, Leslie Thomas and Ellen Willis.