Two titans of culture, born on this day, one in 1935, one in 1947. Both influential by levels that can never be satisfyingly described. One hugely influenced by the other, going so far as to custom-write “Golden Years” for the other. One sadly stuck having to live up to a persona he couldn’t escape, at the hands of a manager he couldn’t escape, even when trying. One couldn’t remain in a persona too long before the intense need to shake it up came along. Both created sublime music in periods thought to be subpar, unappreciated at the time, but grew in stature over the years. Both cornered the market on Charisma. Both were movie stars. Elvis politely declined “Golden Years.” “There was talk between our offices that I should be introduced to Elvis and maybe start working with him in a production-writer capacity. But it never came to pass. I would have loved to have worked with him. God, I would have adored it.” Presley sent a note to Bowie saying, “All the best, and have a great tour”, which Bowie kept with himself for the rest of his life. Join me, won’t you, in remembering Elvis Presley and David Bowie. Bowie, who I would see walking toward me about 8am on a Saturday in 1995, on 7th Avenue in the mid-50’s. I was walking uptown. It was clear from a block away it was he. Smoking a cigarette with a cup of deli coffee. I said hello, he said Cheers. Holy Hell. That was David Bowie. Playlist below…

https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/5ODBFJrft5n1L6hIQYOhxP?utm_source=generator