Friends of Dave #138: Finding Fame
What early David Bowie can teach us all about perseverance.
Relatively quick intro this week folks -- as it stands you are probably soaking up the last bits of summer fun anyway.
First, I am pleased to report I completed another great read (which you may recall was on the recommended list a few weeks ago):
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We Are Wrong About The World by Hans Rosling
Challenges just about every assumption you have about the world in which we live today and breaks down why you think that way. Super insightful, moves fairly quick, it is easy to digest and gives you a framework for re-adjusting your approach when making decisions. It will absolutely change how you look at your immediate world and the greater world around you. Highly recommend!
Second, I stumbled upon a great documentary about David Bowie on Showtime called "Finding Fame" that I strongly recommend as well (some of you in the UK may have seen this already as it was produced by the BBC).
Long time readers know that my music interests run deep, so not a surprise that I would like it on that front. But this takes a close look at Bowie's early years -- and his many many failures to successfully break into the music business. I was unaware of how many bands, personas and styles Bowie had actually "tried on" before he hit with Ziggy Stardust. And how abruptly he then tore it all down.
I found it refreshing and inspirational, especially in this day and age of instant gratification and social media stardom. Despite how things might look on the outside, nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. It takes work, thought, two steps forward and three steps back, creativity, adaptability and grit. It takes being told by a group of industry people that you write weird songs, have no talent, limited charisma and sing off key to get you to "Space Oddity."
As a result, we can all now picture what it is like to step through the door and float in a most peculiar way....I know there are thousands of origin stories like this, but every time I hear one it reminds me of how the path to greatness is seldom a straight line. If you have Showtime, check it out.
That's it this week Friends. Enjoy your weekend and read some links -- in no particular order....
XOXO
Dave
MUST WATCH
WATCH: David Bowie Reflects on His Failures in the Early Days in New ‘Finding Fame’ Doc
“I’ve just had to accept that I was a person that had a very short attention span and would move from one thing to another quite rapidly and then I got bored with the other.”
Fascinating, and inspirational, inside look at the early career of David Bowie. Why include it here? Because you will be amazed at how many fits, starts and failures this music icon had in his early days before he made it big. Worth checking out on Showtime.
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