Backstage Passes: Life on the Wild Side with David Bowie [Paperback]

Angela Bowie (Author), Patrick Carr (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 8, 2000

Angela Bowie has produced this scandalous, sexy, and uncompromising memoir of her turbulent years with David. She recounts how she launched him from cult hero to superstar and managed his career. Angela witnessed and shared it all—the bisexual orgies; David; decline at the hands of satanic cults and cocaine; and the lives and loves of Mick, Elton, Marianne, Iggy, Rod and Lou to name a few.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Neither coy nor restrained, and freed of a time-limited divorce-settlement clause that forbade her to discuss her marriage, the former Mrs. David Bowie describes in no uncertain terms the torrid "open marriage" she shared with the singer known as the Thin White Duke. The couple met in 1968, married in 1970, and were estranged long before their 1980 divorce. Here, Angela Bowie (nee Barnett, an American citizen born in Greece), with assistance from freelance journalist Carr, proudly affirms her bisexuality as well as that of her "dear ex-husband," and describes with considerable relish their dalliances with sundry gender-benders of the glitterati. Sex and drugs far outweigh the rock 'n' roll: this is the book to read for details about David Bowie in bed with Mick Jagger; for the sexual scoop on Rod Stewart, Lou Reed, Marianne Faithfull and numerous now-deceased performers. There are even some possibly supernatural phenomena. With its smutty anecdotes and barbed remarks about music-industry folk of the 1970s, this portrait may be ugly at times, but it's never dull. Photos not seen by PW. BOMC featured alternate.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Neither coy nor restrained...the former Mrs. David Bowie describes in no uncertain terms the torrid 'open marriage' she shared with the singer known as the Thin White Duke....This is the book to read for details about David Bowie in bed with McJagger; for the sexual scoop on Tod Stewart, Lou Teed, Marianne Faithfull, and numerous other performers....With its abecdotes and vbarbed remarks about music-industry fold of the 1970s, this portrait is never dull. (Publishers Weekly )

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Press (August 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815410018
• ISBN-13: 978-0815410010
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and fun to read, November 19, 2000

By 

R.K.M. "RKM" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backstage Passes: Life on the Wild Side with David Bowie (Paperback)

Ya know, you have to take this book with a grain of salt. She is his ex-wife after all. But aside from the occasional "And did I mention this embarrasing sexual problem David has" and the long list of "But look at all the people who wanted to sleep with me!", this was a highly entertaining book. It was well written and witty. Who knows how many of the stories are true, although I have read other Bowie biographies and can confirm from other sources that a good many of them are. Also, it's nice to get the point of view of someone who was so close to it all. Go ahead and read this book. I recommend reading it in conjunction with a very thoroughly researched "Alias David Bowie" or some other such biography in addition. But this really was an enjoyable book. I intend to make several of my friends read it, just for pleasure although they have no particular interest in Bowie. It's just a fun read.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So what if Angela Bowie is bitter? Book's a lot of fun ...., September 12, 2005

By 

desmond "barrow. marketplace." (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backstage Passes: Life on the Wild Side with David Bowie (Paperback)

Why do some reviewers care whether Angela Bowie is "bitter?" Does she seem a little bitter? Yes, frequently. Um ... So?

Great stories in this book (my fave involves Led Zeppelin, who come across as average, rather loveable drunks), with an attempt by Bowie to exorcise a demon from a swimming pool running a close second.

A really enjoyable read ... A friend who's met Angela tells me she seemed kind of crazy, but I'd have to say she comes across as a very hurt, somewhat bitter person who also has a few cogent things to say. Take her with a grain of salt.

And all you people working so hard to knock this poor woman ... an average human who probably did indeed have an impact on Bowie's career, in the same way all magical things combine in places and in times to create a special chemistry -- what, are you secretly jealous you didn't marry Bowie or something? Let's hear it for pulling hair. Meow.

Geez

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An unusual tale about sex, drugs, and rock and roll!, August 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Backstage Passes (Hardcover)

I am a David Bowie fan, and because of that, I became interested in this book. When I read this book, I couldn't put it down. Angela Bowie says it all, from the sweet begining of their relationship to the bitter downfall of their marriage. It's a very funny and twisted tale, but it's very strange. The book is mostly about her rather than David and I thought that was kind of interesting. What is also interesting is the fact that she also mentions other famous names in rock and roll like Mick Jagger, Keith Moon, as well as others. On the other hand, I honestly didn't believe in half of the things she said in this book. So therefore, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves music and gossip. David Bowie fans might also be interested as well. : )