David Bowie before he was famous
He wired sockets. Then he rewired rock.
1947: Born David Robert Jones, Brixton
In 1947, a boy named David Robert Jones is born in Brixton, South London. No stage name, no glitter, no spotlight — just an ordinary London street and an ordinary surname. The world will not hear the name Bowie for nearly two decades.
Was born David Robert Jones in Brixton, London. Source
1960: Age 13, picks up saxophone
At thirteen, he picks up a saxophone, pulled in by the jazz drifting out of London. It is a big, awkward instrument for a schoolboy, and he wants it badly. The horn comes first — long before the guitar, long before the costumes.
Picked up the saxophone at age 13 after being inspired by London jazz. Source
1962: Forms first band, the Konrads
At fifteen he forms his first band, the Konrads. Rehearsals, a name, a line-up — the first time the music is actually his. It is the start of a long apprenticeship in noisy rooms.
Formed his first band, the Konrads, at age 15. Source
1963: Electrician's mate
After leaving technical school he takes work as an electrician's mate. Days of wiring, tools and other men's instructions. The pop dream is still just a dream that has to fit around a wage.
Worked briefly as an electrician's mate after leaving technical school. Source
1964: Debut single flops
In 1964 he cuts a debut single, Liza Jane, billed as Davie Jones with the King Bees. It is a proper record with a proper label — and it goes nowhere. The first release of his career is a flop.
Released the unsuccessful debut single Liza Jane as Davie Jones with the King Bees. Source
1962-1966: Band after band, no hit
For four years he cycles through bands: the Kon-Rads, the King Bees, the Mannish Boys, the Lower Third. New line-ups, new suits, new hopes, and still no hit. Only at the end of it does Davie Jones become David Bowie.
Played in early groups including the Kon-Rads, the King Bees, the Mannish Boys and the Lower Third before becoming David Bowie. Source
1967-1968: Studying mime and theatre
Instead of chasing another single, he studies dramatic arts with Lindsay Kemp — mime, movement, avant-garde theatre. He learns to use his body and his face as instruments. This is where the future characters are quietly built.
Studied dramatic arts with Lindsay Kemp, including mime and avant-garde theatre. Source
1969: Running a pub folk club
By 1969 he is helping run a Sunday folk club upstairs at the Three Tuns pub on Beckenham High Street. Folding chairs, pints, a small room of locals. He is an organiser as much as a performer — still working the smallest rooms in London.
Helped run a Sunday folk club at the Three Tuns pub in Beckenham High Street. Source