As a youth, Bowie demonstrated above average abilities in playing the recorder but his voice was only considered adequate by his school choir director, yet he persevered.  “Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.” – Bowie

David Bowie was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th Century.  After gaining success in 1969 as David Bowie, David began an experimentation phase and re-emerged as Ziggy Stardust.  This shift is character and style alienated many of his UK fans but garnered him his first major US success.  Tidbit #1:  change can equal loss and gain.

As a kid, Bowie’s teachers considered his voice “adequate” but thought his musical abilities on the recorder were above average.  That’s tidbit #2:  he didn’t start with great vocal abilities.

However, Bowie’s father was encouraging of his interests and brought home a collection of records from America.  Tidbit #3: Bowie hung with encouraging people.  

Schizophrenia ran in Bowie’s family with more than one relative suffering from it.  Even though Bowie’s half-brother had Schizophrenia, he was a strong influence on Bowie.  Bowie, himself, found it difficult to separate from his onstage persona, Ziggy Stardust, and he, too began to have doubts about his sanity.  Tidbit #4:  family dysfunctions do not have to pass on.  They can stop with you.

In 1973, Bowie abruptly retired Ziggy Stardust.

After a few months studying at the Tibet House in London, Bowie briefly considered becoming a Buddhist monk.  It was a monk that encouraged him to follow his music.  By 1975, Bowie stated, “I felt totally alone because I pretty much had abandoned God.”

After several years of drug use, controversial headlines, and tours, Bowie began the 80s drug free and apparently comfortable in his own skin.  He remained David Bowie until his death, and produced and recorded music until he could no longer.