A decade has passed since the legendary David Bowie left us, and it's a stark reminder of how time flies. While I wish he were still here, creating music, the truth is that his absence has been felt less acutely due to the constant stream of activity surrounding his musical legacy.
Bowie's tendency to disappear for extended periods, like the near-decade between Reality and The Next Day, has left us accustomed to his comings and goings. And let's be honest, the two decades prior to that were not always filled with constant reminders of his brilliance. Every great album like Outside or Reality had its counterpart, like Never Let Me Down or Hours...
His passing, coupled with the exceptional quality of Blackstar, served as a wake-up call for many. It was a reminder of just how amazing he was, a talent we sometimes took for granted.
I still find myself revisiting albums like Black Tie White Noise and Tin Machine, but it's the 1970s era that truly encapsulates David Bowie's artistic zenith. Each year of that decade could have been crowned as the pinnacle of another artist's career.
During this period, Bowie simply couldn't produce anything average. His legacy would have been assured even if he had stopped after Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), which I consider the true end of his 70s era, despite its 1980 release date. It was a time of Beatle-esque perfection.
Interestingly, while his Berlin Trilogy and mid-70s masterpieces like Young Americans and Station to Station receive ample praise, I find myself drawn more to his early works, particularly David Bowie (aka Space Oddity) and The Man Who Sold The World. There's something special about the albums recorded before he became a household name.
As the founder and editor of a reissue website, I should probably keep this to myself, but I believe Parlophone could benefit from taking a step back and giving David Bowie a break for a couple of years. The past decade has seen an incessant stream of box sets and vinyl releases. Maybe it's time to pause, reflect, and let the natural ebb and flow of the music industry take its course. When reissues become too commonplace, they risk losing their special appeal.
David Bowie, you were a true icon. Your music will forever be intertwined with my memories of my friend Aubrey Day, who passed away just over a year ago. We discovered your music together, and it's a bond I cherish.
In other news, it's an honor to be featured in The Guardian's 'First Edition' newsletter, alongside a mention of our 2026 SDE Reissue Preview. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.
We also bid farewell to New York DJ and mixer Bert Bevans, whose work on McCartney's 'Press' and Pete Wylie's Sinful will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Bert.
For our UK readers, tonight's BBC broadcast of Paul Young at the BBC promises to be a treat. It's a retrospective look at his career, from his early days with the Q-Tips to his solo fame in the 1980s and beyond.
To celebrate, we're offering a special 24-hour deal on the SDE Surround Series blu-ray of No Parlez, featuring David Kosten's spectacular Atmos Mix. Don't miss out on this limited-time offer!
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