Ashes to Ashes

This detailed exploration of David Bowie's final decades covers every song he created, highlighting his profound influence on music and culture.

In Ashes to Ashes, Chris O'Leary presents a comprehensive examination of David Bowie's musical journey, focusing on the final four decades of his prolific career. This second volume follows the first, Rebel Rebel, and meticulously details every song Bowie wrote, performed, or produced from 1976 until his last work, Blackstar, released shortly before his passing in 2016. Each entry is enriched with annotations and essays that delve into the creative process, production choices, and the broader cultural impact of Bowie's work.

The narrative captures the essence of Bowie's artistic evolution, beginning with his collaboration with Iggy Pop on The Idiot and traversing through iconic tracks like Heroes and the Labyrinth soundtrack. The book does not shy away from exploring the nuances of Bowie's career, including his memorable duet with Mick Jagger on Dancing in the Street and his poignant comeback single, Where Are We Now?. O'Leary brings to life the myriad influences and collaborators that shaped Bowie's sound, featuring notable figures such as Brian Eno, Lou Reed, and Freddie Mercury, among others.

Ashes to Ashes is not merely a catalog of songs; it is a rich tapestry of Bowie's life, capturing the essence of his artistry through the lens of his relationships and experiences. The book invites readers to journey through Bowie's world, from his time in divided Berlin to his later years in New York City, offering insight into the man behind the music and the legacy he left behind.