David Bowie’s legacy lives on, on what would have been the music icon’s 77th birthday and one of those closest to him has revealed what life was like on tour with the star
The iconic look of David Bowie is one that fans across the globe still remember on what would have been his 77th birthday.
The musician, who died on January 10 2016, aged 69, was known for his huge hits – and also his iconic red hairstyle he wore during his Ziggy Stardust era. And the woman behind the look has revealed exactly what life on the road with the legendary musician was like.
In her book Me and Mr Jones, Suzi Ronson opened up about her time working and touring with the Life On Mars singer. She went as far as describing herself as the “tour madam” after explaining how she would often organise girls to meet the band after shows.
However, she has since called the title a tongue-in-cheek comment. Speaking to the Express, Suzi said: “I christened myself the ‘Tour Madam’, and in those days, it didn’t mean what it means now. Well I suppose it did but it was much more light-hearted.”
She continued: “I christened myself that tongue-in-cheek because there came a point where the band couldn’t be like most bands and wait in the dressing room [and then] the girls come back and they sign the photographs. It wasn’t like that.”
Suzi said the band was so well received they were often scared of the fans. She explained how part of her role was to get them of the stage and make sure they made it back to the hotel. “What I used to do was I got on the bus with the rest of the band, and there were [fans] hanging around the bus and I’d ask if they wanted to come back. I wasn’t bringing them back…. I wasn’t procuring girls…I was simply bringing fans back to the hotel,” Suzi added.
She hinted that David was “quite a naughty boy” while saying the others in the band weren’t, before claiming none of the band did “anything terrible”.
Suzi was in her early 20s when she met first met Bowie in 1970. She soon became part of his inner circle before the star retired the iconic Ziggy Stardust character in 1973. She later went on to marry his legendary Spiders From Mars guitarist Mick Ronson and have a daughter, Lisa.
David Bowie’s former publicist Alan Edwards also revealed last year how the star’s knowledge of Michaelangelo once got him mistaken for a tour guide at the Sistine Chapel. Alan told the Mirror in June: “As usual he wanted to see some art so we went to visit the Vatican. David didn’t like people making a fuss over him and often used to move about incognito wearing a cap and carrying a Greek newspaper. This visit was no exception and David…me and a few others from our party arrived unnoticed at the Sistine Chapel.”
He admitted he was left staggered by the Star man’s knowledge – and so did many of their fellow tourists too, adding: “David was a mine of information, especially on how Michelangelo came to take on the job, apparently reluctantly as he considered himself a sculptor….David was bringing the story to life, not only for us but others.”
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